KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – It is always nice to have friends and relatives from the U.S. come visit. Since Germany is a good starting point for traveling throughout Europe, your guests will have a great time driving around. If you plan to lend them your USAREUR-AF-plated vehicle, there are a few things to consider.
Driving in Germany for U.S. Forces personnel and their family members is a tax-free privilege. Therefore, you will need customs approval if you want to lend your car to your guests, unless a member of your household with a USAREUR-AF driver’s license accompanies them while they drive your vehicle. However, your guests will not be allowed to purchase tax-free gasoline or fuel at an AAFES or ESSO gas station or use your AAFES fuel ration card.
Visit your local U.S. Forces customs field office to obtain AEA Form 550-175D. Please bring your vehicle registration and legible copies of your guests’ passports, their stateside driver’s licenses, as well as either a certified German translation of their licenses or an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA). IDPs issued by other organizations will not be accepted!
For visitors from countries other than the USA, you should check with your local customs office to see whether an IDP or a certified translation is required. German residents or guests who plan to establish residency in Germany are not eligible for these privileges.
If your spouse, children and/or other dependents live abroad and visit you in Germany on vacation, your local customs field office will issue the appropriate form (AEA Form 190-1APQ) to allow them to drive your vehicle in Germany.
Please make sure that your automobile insurance covers your guests, and bear in mind that anyone driving a car in Germany must be at least 18 years old.
Approval to drive your car is valid for up to 90 days within a six-month period from the day your guests arrive in Germany or any other EU country. The form must remain in the car, along with the vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Your guests should always carry their passports and International Driving Permits (or official translations) with them.
If you have questions, please e-mail or call any U.S. Forces customs field office or visit the customs website for more details on procedures and other helpful information.
POC for this 'Customs News Release' is Astrid Glockner, Customs Specialist, U.S. Army Customs Agency - Europe, usarmy.wiesbaden.usareur.list.opm-customs-service@army.mil.
U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz advances the Department of Defense mission to achieve peace through strength as we serve, support and secure the total force community, enabling power projection for the European Theater.
Connect with USAG Rheinland-Pfalz: https://linktr.ee/usag_rp
*Editor's Note: This article was updated Aug. 25, 2025.
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