MANNHEIM, Germany -- Don't add tinted foils to the front windows of your vehicles,
U.S. Army, Europe officials warn, because they are not allowed in Germany.
"Our vehicle inspectors see this time after time," said Dan Saavedra, policy advisor at the
USAREUR Vehicle Registry. "Unfortunately, vehicle owners have to remove foils
applied to the windshield or the two side (driver and front passenger) windows before
their vehicle can pass inspection."
Tinting that is an integral part of the window is good to go for all windows. Tinted foils
on the rear windows of a car or van are not a problem, either.
"Many German companies that apply these foils believe that the tinting of front windows
is legal for USAREUR-plated vehicles," Saavedra explained. "So they will gladly
perform this service for Americans, although they would never do it for German
vehicles."
He also pointed out that German police may pull over vehicles with front tinted windows,
especially if the vehicle has German license plates and is not recognizable as a
USAREUR-plated vehicle.
Saavedra also reminded USAREUR drivers that wheel spinners are not legal in Germany.
These spinners are wheel covers which spin independently of the wheel even though the
wheel has come to rest. Lights in a vehicle's wheel wells and grill are banned, too.
He also stated that the maximum noise level for exhaust systems on all motor vehicles,
including motorcycles, is 95 decibels with no variance allowed. USAREUR vehicle
inspection points can measure the noise level to ensure drivers are in compliance.
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