Vehicle Inspection & Registration > Ramstein Air Base > Display

POV Claims

Legal Assistance Office, claims sections

Ramstein AB, Bldg. 2137

DSN: 314-480-5911; +49-6371-47-5911

Is your POV safe?

The 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron Privately Owned Vehicle Inspection Center on Kapaun Air Station provides a free POV mechanical inspection to the Kaiserslautern Military Community. With more than 30,000 vehicles inspected each year, our goal is to ensure POVs are maintained and operated in accordance with USAREUR Reg 190-1.

You may be asked to replace, repair, or clean an item in order to pass the inspection. These measures are to ensure proper safety conditions and requirements. To make your POV inspection stress-free, please read on.

When you arrive at the Inspection Station:

• PERMANENT License Plates must be properly mounted with screws/nuts/bolts
• Temporary Plates can be mounted with zip ties, rope, wire or any means to secure plate temporarily. You also need to show us you have the means of installing permanent plates with screws/nuts/bolts/plate bracket
• Normal operating hours are 0700-1500
• Take a minute to review the informative signs posted along the driveway and ensure you have the following required items in your vehicle:
  • First Aid Kit (DIN 13164)
  • Warning Triangle
  • Reflective Vest

• (These items are inspected at the beginning of the inspection process. If you don’t have these items ti will cause you to fail the inspections.)

  Without an AE Form 190-10 or 1901AA (Renewal Application), the inspectors will not begin the inspection.

  For safety reasons, please wait at the stop sign until an inspector waves you forward.

  You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers:

  ■ Is the Kapaun POV inspection part of 569th U.S Forces Security Police Squadron Vehicle Registration office?
  
  o No, POV Inspection personnel are assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron
  
  (See the “What you need to register your vehicle” section below)

  ■ Do the civilians speak only German?
  
  o No, our civilians are fluent in English and German

  ■ When are the busiest times to get my vehicle inspected?
  
  o First thing in the morning (7 am-8 am) Lunchtime (11 am. to 1 pm.) and before we close (2:30- 3 pm) is the busiest time to get your vehicle inspected

  ■ Is the inspection free?
  
  o Yes, inspection is free. However, personnel have the option to utilize any German TUV vehicle inspection, and if passed the full inspection, they can register their vehicle without us having to inspect it.

  ■ If I roll down my windows, will the inspector notice the tinted glass?
  
  o German law has strict requirements for tinted glass on windows. The inspectors will need to see all your windows to ensure compliance.

  ■ Can I stay in the car while the mechanic test drives the vehicle?
  
  o No, all individuals and pets must exit the vehicle. A waiting area is available. The vehicle will be driven a small distance to make sure it is working correctly.  Also, make sure the vehicle is not full of loose items that could cause damage when we inspect the brakes by coming to a quick stop.

  ■ I need to attach my temporary plates. Does POV inspection have tools for me to use?
  
  o Sorry, the POV inspection station doesn’t have any tools.  The Vehicle Registration Sub Stations office next door has limited amounts of tools available to sign out. It is highly encouraged that you bring your own tools.

  Top 10 reasons vehicles fail inspection:

1. Oil Leaks

A vehicle will be rejected if there is evidence of an ongoing slow leak of oil or antifreeze or saturation of the underbody of the vehicle. If there is evidence of a slow leak, the undercarriage must be cleaned or re-inspected to verify whether or not there is still a slow leak.

2. Worn Tires

The tread depth of the vehicle tires must be at least 1/16 of an inch (1.6 mm). If at any point the tire tread is less than 1/16 of an inch (1.6 mm), the tire is excessively worn. Tires must be free of chunking, breaks, bumps, knots, or bulges showing cord or tread separation from the casting or other adjacent materials. All tires must be to the manufacture specification size.

3. Lights/Incorrect turn signals

Installed and required lights specified in the 190-1 must work properly. Exterior lights with broken or missing lenses are not considered working properly. Light color, position, or intensity not according to regulations. If aftermarket lights are installed, they are to professionally covered or removed and function independently from main lighting system.

4. Brakes inspection

Brake-test machines will be used when operational. Braking effort from any wheel less than 70% of maximum effort recorded from another wheel on the same axle. In addition, if during road testing, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight line.

5. Window Tint

Vehicles found with after-market tinting on the windshield or the driver and passenger front door windows during inspection will be rejected.

6. Exhaust Leaks/Noise Level

Insecure or leaking exhaust system. All exhaust systems (manufacturer installed, or after-market) of motorcycles and automobiles will be inspected for noise level according to the procedures in paragraph C-30. Motor vehicles exceeding a noise level of 95 decibels will be rejected.

7. Body/Frame Corrosion/ Ride Height

POVs must meet the minimum standards of exterior condition acceptable in the military and civilian community. Deficiencies (for example, extensive body damage, missing component parts, deterioration) will prevent a POV from meeting these standards. Minimum body ground clearance must not be less than 90 millimeters (mm) for flexible body parts and hard parts such as exhaust, frame components, and suspension.

8. Windshield Damage

Vehicle glass must not have breaks. Glass in the front, rear, and side windows directly to the right and left of the driver must not have cracks that impair or distort the driver’s vision. The windshield must be free of damage (except for scratches or chips) in that part of the windshield located in the driver’s view. Cracks outside the driver’s view that are over one (1) inch (25 mm) in diameter, star-shaped fractures over 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) in diameter, and any conditions concerning glass breaks or cracks cited in AER 190-1 will be determined to obstruct the driver’s visibility and will cause the POV to be rejected.

9. Windshield Wiper/Washer System

Wipers not operating. Wiper blade missing or obviously defective. Washers not operating adequately.

10. ABS/Airbag Lights

ABS warning device malfunctioning. ABS warning device shows system malfunction. Airbags in vehicles equipped with airbags must be operational. A vehicle will be rejected if the light that indicates the airbag has been activated stays illuminated or is missing.

FORMS USED IN VEHICLE REGISTRATION:

Check List

Kapaun Pamphlet

New Registrations

AEF190-1AA Example Form

AEF190-1AA

Vehicle Sales/Junking

RMV Bill of Sale

Driver’s License

Application for International Driver’s License

Non-Op/Temporary Plate

AF Non-Op Waiver

3rd Temp Memo Sample

Additional Fuel/Driver Additions

AEF190-1AG Additional POV

AEF600-17A Request for Additional Fuel

Agent Owner

Agent Command Memo Sample

Agent’s Responsibilities

190-1AD Agent Owner Special Power of Attorney

Handicap Plates

AE FM 190-1AW Handicap

Note: IAW 190-1 para. 3-1.e, A general POA will only be accepted to register/de-register a POV only if the grantee is the spouse of the registrant.