This is an updated release. Updated portions are preceded by "UPDATE".
WIESBADEN, Germany -- Host nation police authorities, particularly in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, recently started to enforce a new policy concerning driver's licenses for personnel of the U.S. Forces and their dependents.
According to this policy, the driver is only in possession of a valid license to operate a privately owned vehicle, or POV, in German public traffic if in possession of a valid U.S. driver's license and a valid U.S. Forces certificate of license, commonly referred to as "USAREUR license."
If the U.S. driver's license has expired, some German authorities may consider the individual to be operating the vehicle without a license, regardless of a valid USAREUR license. In Germany, driving without license is a criminal offense.
UPDATE: German police may prohibit personnel who are not accompanied by a person with a current stateside license from continuing their travel and may request them to leave their vehicle on the spot or will have the vehicle towed if legitimate parking is not available on the spot.
This new policy is based on a recent unilateral change in interpretation of the German Supplementary Agreement to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement by host nation authorities. The U.S. Forces dispute this new interpretation, and have raised the matter via the U.S. Embassy in Berlin to the German Federal Government. However, U.S. Forces authorities currently have no control over the application of this policy by the German authorities.
U.S. Forces personnel in Germany should be aware of the present situation. If possible, those who have a U.S. state driver's license should ensure it is valid and renewed in a timely manner. Some states offer renewal via mail or online. Military and civilian personnel, as well as family members, should check with the issuing state authorities whether being stationed abroad provides for an automatic extension of their state driver's licenses. If an automatic extension is provided, a hard copy of the rules should be kept available in case of a traffic control by German police.
UPDATE: U.S. Forces military and civilian personnel or family members who wish to convert their U.S. driver's license to a German license or obtain a German license should contact USAREUR vehicle registry for instruction and authorization to get a German license under Art. 9 (3) Supplementary Agreement. Because of Art. 9 (3) Supplementary Agreement there is no requirement to register residency with the German authorities. U. S. Forces personnel that experience any problems should contact legal assistance.
UPDATE: Rhineland-Palatinate authorities are at the moment converting USAREUR licenses issued prior to 29 March 1998 to German licenses as an exception to policy. Individuals who have such a USAREUR license and who are not in possession of a current U.S. state, German, or EU member state license are encouraged to get a U.S. state license. If that is not possible of feasible they may want to convert their expired USAREUR license to a German license.
If the U.S. state license has expired, and an automatic extension is not available, the safest course of action is not to operate privately owned vehicles in German public traffic until the current dispute regarding the validity of expired U.S. state licenses under the applicable international agreements has been resolved with the German Federal Government.
At this time it is unclear how long it will take to resolve the issue at the diplomatic level. This does not prevent the individuals concerned from seeking recourse in the German legal system. This includes, but is not limited to contesting criminal charges or recovery of towing fees. U.S. Forces personnel who have been charged for driving without a license should contact the local legal office for assistance.
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