VICENZA Italy (February 15, 2019) -- When relocating back to the States or to another overseas assignment, you will leave friends, coworkers, and community behind -- but one thing you should never leave behind is an inoperable vehicle.
"That's right. You will have to find a home for your broken-down car, because it is your responsibility to take care of your Armed Forces Italy-registered vehicle before you depart your duty station," said Patrick O'Connor, manager, Vehicle Registration Office, U.S. Army Garrison Italy.
"Soldiers, civilian employees and contractors with Individual Logistical Support (ILS) are required to outprocess vehicle registration prior to departing the garrison," he added. "The main purpose is to provide proof they disposed of their vehicle in an authorized manner."
Last quarter, the Directorate of Emergency Services disposed of 72 inoperable vehicles from garrison installations -- which is not free. Within the USAG Italy area, towing fees are $100- $125 per vehicle, and that fee is absorbed by the garrison.
"If a vehicle in the USAG Italy footprint is not claimed by its owner, the vehicle is towed and impounded by the Military Police," said Staff Sgt. Witer Gonzalez, operations noncommissioned officer, Provost Marshal Office. "When a vehicle is claimed by the owner, the individual must show proof of payment to FMWR (Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation) for tow fees, and a current valid registration before it can be released."
Vehicles not claimed by the owner within 120 days of registration expiration, or after the owner has gone for more than 45 days without properly clearing the vehicle, are considered abandoned and processed to be scrapped.
Drivers with inoperable vehicles have three options:
(1) Repair. Inoperable vehicles are to be repaired in a timely manner. The vehicle must have a safety inspection. Vehicles with minor deficiencies may receive a safety inspection valid for 30 days, which the Vehicle Registration Office will issue. In cases where extended repairs are required, two additional extensions may be authorized.
Once repairs are complete, an updated safety inspection must be completed, and the Vehicle Registration Office will issue an annual updated registration valid for the registration period. After 90 days, vehicles that cannot meet regulatory safety standards are required to be scrapped.
(2) Sell. After the vehicle has passed a safety inspection, the owner may sell a vehicle to another person with ILS. Owners wishing to sell a vehicle to an individual without ILS must first check with the local Vehicle Registration Office.
(3) Scrapping. Owners who wish to scrap a vehicle must process the paperwork through the local Vehicle Registration Office and dispose of the vehicle through an authorized contractor. If a vehicle is scrapped illegally, the registered owner is liable for Italian customs fees and fines and will run into difficulty when attempting to outprocess.
Sometimes Soldiers and civilian employees are required to leave with short notice, but they still must take care of their responsibilities before departure. Persons in a clearing status will not have their clearing papers approved if they have not properly disposed of vehicles by one of the three options previously mentioned.
According to Gonzalez, Soldiers can face punishment under Article 92 (Failure to Obey a General Order) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, for improper vehicle disposal and owning/operating an unregistered vehicle. Department of the Army civilian employees and contractors with ILS under the Status of Forces Agreement can face administrative actions under Army in Europe Regulation 27-9, Misconduct by Civilians, for the same offense. Both Soldiers and civilians are subject to suspension of the SETAF driver's license for 90 calendar days if they obtain three or more offenses of owning an unregistered vehicle within a five-year period.
"If an owner is unable to ship his or her vehicle or dispose of it in an authorized manner before departure, the individual can appoint an agent to do so for them," O'Connor said. "This can be completed at any vehicle registration office with the owner and agent present, and requires the vehicle to be parked in an authorized holding area with the license plates turned in. However, this action does not relieve the owner of any legal responsibilities for the vehicle. Owners who appoint agents need to ensure they are people they can trust to carry out their plan for the vehicle in a timely manner."
Vehicles suspected of being abandoned should be reported to the Director of Emergency Services Law Enforcement Desk at DSN 634-7233/7626 or commercial at 0444-71-7233.
For more information on how to properly dispose of a vehicle or other vehicle registration questions, contact the USAG Italy Vehicle Registration Office at DSN 637-7820/7824; comm. 0444-61-7820/7824.
(This article was contributed by the Directorate of Emergency Services, U.S. Army Garrison Italy.)
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