Driving in Europe made simple: How to obtain an international driver's license Published April 20, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Amie Stallcup 52nd Security Forces Squadron SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- There are many things that must be considered and tasks must be completed to applying for a U.S. Armed Forces in Europe driver's license. Applicants must be at least 17 years old and have a valid stateside or country license. A country license is a valid license from any sovereign country or any U.S. state or territory. A license issued by U.S Forces not within the European Command is not transferable and does not constitute a valid country license. Drivers must also pass the USAREUR driver's license test either through the Driver's Licensing and Testing office or at an authorized stateside testing location. The driver must also attend the local conditions safety briefing and have proof of course completion. There is a $10 license processing fee; accepted methods of payment are check, money order or credit card. At Spangdahlem there is a 28 percent failure rate, this is largely due to failure to study. People think it's like taking a driver's test in the states. The test contains 100 questions, including 25 road signs and has no time limit. The minimum passing score is 85 which allows the test taker to miss a maximum of 15 questions. Applicants who fail the test twice within a two-week period are ineligible to test for two weeks after the second failure. Applicants who fail the test a third time are ineligible for retesting for 60 days and an additional 60 days for each failure after that. In cases of exceptional hardship, the 60 day waiting period may be waived by the individual's unit commander or supervisor. Anyone caught cheating during the driver examination is ineligible to retest for 12 months. Persons declared ineligible for a certificate of license remain ineligible until they successfully petition the revoking authority for reinstatement of their eligibility. If all the requirements are met, a driver receives a temporary USAREUR driver's license. The hard copy will arrive by mail in three to six weeks. The temporary USAREUR driver's license allows a driver to register vehicles. To get a motorcycle endorsement on a USAREUR license bring a copy of a stateside motorcycle license and the Motorcycle Safety Course card that is less than three years old. What many U.S. military personnel in Germany refer to as the "USAREUR license" is actually the U.S. Forces Certificate of License, it states on the front it's for U.S. Forces in Germany. To legally drive in neighboring countries, after receiving the hard copy USAREUR driver's license, return to Driver's Licensing and Testing for an International Driver's License application. Bring 15 euro, a biometric photo obtained from the local economy, not on base, and the hard copy USAREUR driver's license. After completing the application and having the license's good standings verified, take the required items to the Bitburg courthouse, or the Driver's Licensing and Testing can take it to the courthouse. Those who go to the courthouse will wait approximately two hours. If Driver's Licensing and Testing takes the IDL for processing it takes two to four weeks. Practice tests and a virtual study guide are available at http://www.hqusareur.army.mil/rmv. In addition, sponsors may forward the "Welcome to the Eifel" disk which contains the information to properly prepare for a USAREUR license. Driver's Licensing and Testing is located in building 139. They are open from 7:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. They are closed German and American Holidays and the last duty day of each month. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit or call 452-6620.