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British Forces Germany Vehicle Registration Rules & Regulations

Updated

General Information

a. A vehicle imported into Germany, which is currently registered with some other Licensing Authority and has a valid roadworthiness certificate and insurance, may be used under such registration for a period of not exceeding 30 days from the date of importation. It should be noted though, that you are not permitted to obtain or use BFG duty free fuel coupons before your vehicle is BFG registered. Caravans and trailers must also be registered separately from the towing vehicles. Mopeds are also classed as BFG vehicles.
Note: Please see Paragraph 4.02 above reference the Certificate or Permanent Export (V561). The BFG Vehicle Licensing Office will only grant you temporary registration on your V5 until you produce the V561.
b. The method of registration differs slightly from the UK system and all new arrivals must consult their Unit BFG Registration Officer and familiarise themselves with Standing Orders before making an application for BFG registration. Particular attention is drawn to the insurance requirements (see below)
c. A vehicle can only be BFG registered for the period for which insurance cover can be proved. This requires an International Green Card issued in respect of a policy valid in Germany or a cover note on the official form of the company, endorsed for use in Germany The UK cover note can be valid for up to 60 days and must cover a minimum of 30 days. From a German Insurance Company you will need the insurance policy with evidence that the premium has been paid together with a Double White Card. Green Cards from German companies are not acceptable, as they do not cover driving in Germany. BFG registration will only be given for the period of the insurance cover provided. Only certain UK insruance companies can be used, whereas you are free to use any German company you wish. Persons wishing to tow a caravan or other trailers must ensure that they are covered in their vehicle policy (for UK policy holders) or take out separate cover if insured by a German company.
d. On arrival in Germany you no longer require your UK road fund licence. Therefore it will be of financial benefit to you to return it to the appropriate motor vehicle taxation authorities, in order to obtain a refund. Refund forms are available from Forces Post Offices (only whole months refunded).
e. When applying to the BFG VLO for BFG registration, in addition to the Log Book and proof of insurance as above, you will also need to produce your BFG Form 80 Special Import Certificate, the Type Approval Number of the car and your Driving License Number. Vehicle owners bringing a vehicle in from outside the EU (mainly Cyprus or N. America) are advised to check whether their vehicle is EU Type Approved, or what needs to be done to enable it to be inspected and become EU Type approved.
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Insurance of BFG Vehicles

A BFG vehicle is not to be used unless it is correctly insured against third party liabilities. If the vehicle is the subject of a hire purchase agreement it must be comprehensively insured for the total value of the vehicle including vat. Proof of insurance must be produced when registering a BFG vehicle and an international Green Card (usually) will be required if you are not insured with a German insurance company. Only certain UK insurance companies are authorised to insure BFG registered vehicles, the Station BFG Office holds a certain list of authorised insurers.

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BFG Roadworthiness Inspection

All vehicles, including caravans and trailers, over 3 years old are required to have a BFG roadworthiness inspection which includes a lighting test completed before they are acceptable of initial BFG registration. The inspection is based on the UK MOT test and is carried out at the Station BFG Testing Centre. Please arrange an appointment before taking your vehicle for inspection!

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BFG Licensing Offices

BFG Helpline &
Main Registration Office,
BFPO 40 & BFPO 140
Helpline Tel.:

Mil.: 472 4100
Civ.: 0049 (0)2161 472 4100
Reg. Office Tel.:

Mil.: 472 2934
Civ.: 0049 (0)2161 472 2934
Hours:  
Helpline: Mon - Thu: 08:15 - 12.15 & 13:15 - 16:15
Fri: 08:15 - 12:15 & 13:15 - 14:15
Reg. Office: Mon - Fri: 08:30 - 15:00
Location: Bldg 37, Grenville Road, JHQ
Mon-Fri: 08:30 - 15:00
BFGLO Bergen
BFPO 30
Hohne Garrison
Tel.:

Mil.: 91 3881
Civ.: 0049 (0)5051 913 881
Hours: Mon - Thu: 09:00 - 15:00
(closes for a half hour lunch break - no set time.)
Location: TAX / MWST Office (old Sparkasse Building next to the Roundhouse), Hohne Camp
BFGLO Celle
BFPO 23
Tel.: Civ.: 05141 9632233
Location: Seekt Kaserne, Hohe Wende 22, 29223 Celle (Community Centre, 1st floor)
BFGLO Elmpt Station
BFPO 35
Javelin Bks
Tel.:

Mil.: 97 4489/ 2450
Civ.: 0049 (0)2163 97 4489 / 97 2450
Hours: Mon - Thu: 09:00 - 15:00 &
Fri: 09:00 - 14:00
Location: Building 90, Javelin Bks (near the Post Office)
BFGLO Fallingbostel
BFPO 38
St. Barbara’s Bks
Tel.:

Mil.: 76 2226
Civ.: 0049 (0)5162 971 2226
Hours: Mon - Thu: 09:00 - 16:00 &
Fri: 09:00 - 12:30
Location: Next to the NAAFI car park
BFGLO Gütersloh
BFPO 47
Princess Royal Bks
Tel.:

Mil.: 84 2692
Civ.: 0049 (0)5241 842 692
Email: gutersloh.prb@hive-bfg.co.uk
Hours: Mon, Wed & Fri 0900 - 1430 &
Tues & Thu 0900 - 1300
Location: Amenity Centre, P.R.B.(Hive)
BFGLO Herford
BFPO 15
Hammersmith Bks
Tel.:

Mil.: 995 3355
Civ.: 0049 (0)5221 995 3355
Hours: 09:00 - 14:00
Location: Bradley Centre, Hammersmith Bks (Hive)
BFGLO Paderborn Garrison
BFPO 16
BFPO 22
Tel.:

Mil.: 98 2638
Civ.: 0049 (0)5254 98 2638

Fax:

Mil.: 98 2634
Civ.: 0049 (0)5254 98 2634

Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu: 09:00 - 12:00 & 1230 - 1500
Wed: 0900 - 1200 & 1230 - 1600
Fri: 0900 - 1200 & 1230 - 1400
Location: Building 218, Normandy Barracks
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12 Most Frequently Asked Questions

How do I go about registering my BFG vehicle on posting back to UK?
  • Send BFG Form 414a (from unit BFG office) and current road tax disc to C&I BFLO(G) BFPO 40 (maximum 14 days before required for use).
  • Receive BFG Form 414 from C&I BFLO(G).
  • Owner or spouse drive vehicle to UK and register at a local DVLA office, presenting BFG Form 414, BFG Form 73 Registration Card, proof of insurance and Certificate of Conformity (COC) if the vehicle was not previously UK registered.
  • You should have collected a BFG Form 4003 from your unit BFG Office before leaving.
  • Having UK registered, return the BFG Form 73 and BFG number plates to BFGVLO (Main), with the completed BFG Form 4003 within 28 days to the FREEPOST address shown on the BFG Form 4003.
Why have I got to hand in my tax-disc when I apply to Customs & Immigration for a BFG Form 414 before I take my car back to UK and how can I be asked to drive around without displaying a tax-disc?
  • There was considerable misuse of the BFG issued tax-discs.
  • BFG road tax-discs are issued free of charge.
  • On return to UK many BFG road tax-discs still had a considerable residual period before expiry.
  • Owners were not registering in UK immediately and the BFG road tax-discs were being displayed, thereby avoiding UK road tax duty on the vehicle for the period, a loss of revenue to the UK.
  • To prevent this abuse the BFG road tax disc now has to be handed in to C&I when applying for the BFG Form 414.
  • If stopped by the police on the European mainland or in UK without your disc, present the BFG Form 73 (BFG Registration Card) and state that it is not a UK registered vehicle.
Who is entitled to drive my BFG registered car?
  • Only those persons who hold a BFG Driving Permit (BFG Form 57) are entitled to drive BFG registered vehicles.
  • Owners who hold a national or international licence, valid in Germany, may drive their vehicle for 30 days on their arrival in BFG. During this time they are to obtain the BFG Driving Permit and register their vehicle with BFG VLO.
  • Sponsored visitors visiting BFG personnel on holiday may also drive the car for up to 28 days provided they hold a valid driving licence.
I’ve just BFG registered my car? Why have I got a fuel coupon penalty?
  • If you failed to BFG register your tax-paid car within 30 days of arrival in BFG, you will incur a 1 year tax-free fuel ration penalty from BFG registration date.
  • If you fail to BFG register your tax-free vehicle within 30 days you will be required to pay the VAT to the German Authorities.
I’m in BATUS at the moment and have bought a USA manufactured vehicle. What do I have to do to get it BFG registered?
  • If the vehicle does not have the EU Type of Approval number recorded on the documents (Certificate of Conformity, national log book or allocation certificate) then, prior to BFG registration, the vehicle is to be subjected to an inspection and certification at either a German Testing Centre (TüV, DEKRA, KIS) or a UK Testing Station (MOT).
  • The resultant respective German "Gutachten" (Übereinstimmungsbescheinigung) or UK Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) document is to accompany the application for registration.
You tell me my insurance has been cancelled and with it my BFG registration, but I didn’t know about it. What do I do now?
  • Go to your insurance broker to get insurance cover with another insurance company or get the original cover reinstated. It has been known for an insurance company to cancel in error.
  • Your BFG registration was suspended from the date of cancellation-notification/action therefore the vehicle must not to be driven until registration has been renewed.
  • Renew your BFG registration.
I deregistered my car but I didn’t get a deregistration certificate. Why?
  • You probably didn’t put a tick/cross in the field of the BFG Form 4003 requesting a de-registration certificate when you applied for deregistration.
  • Subsequent request can lead to a charge of €5 (£3.75) being levied currently.
I am 15 and want to get a moped. What do I need in the form of a licence and how do I get it?
  • Currently, under BFG rules, you can’t. SOBA(G) 3213, Section 8, Paragraph 805 gives fuller detail on requirements.
  • Basically, when aged 16, you will have to undertake compulsory basic training at either a UK facility or a German driving school (6 x 90 minute theory lessons and 1x 90 minute practical training) and be required to pass a driving test.
  • With the successful test certificate you can apply for a BFG Driving Permit (BFG Form 57). You can then drive on the German roads, assuming the moped is properly BFG registered.
How do I get a:
  • BFG Form 60?
  • BFG Form 80?
  • BFG Form 414a?
  • Application to Import new tax-free vehicle under 12 months old?
  • BFG Form 414?
  • BFG Form 38?
  • Unit BFG or Admin office.
  • Submit BFG Form 60 to C&I BFLO(G) BFPO 40.
  • Unit BFG or Admin office.
  • Unit BFG office. See SOBAG 3213 Section 6 Annex B or SOBAG 5205 Annex P Appendix 1. Application is in addition to the BFG Form 414a.
  • Submit BFG Form 414a (and above application if required).
  • Telephone or write to your Garrison Customs Officer.
    Consult your BGF office.
Can you tell me whether I have got an entitlement to purchase another tax-free vehicle?
  • Only one new tax-free vehicle may be purchased and BFG registered within any 12 month period.
  • An exception to this rule is that you may purchase and BFG register 1 tax-free motorcycle in addition to the tax-free car simultaneously over the period.
  • Neither tax-free vehicle is to be sold for 12 months from their date of BFG registration otherwise penalties (5 year tax-free ban etc) will be imposed.
  • Neither tax-free vehicle is to be sold for 12 months from their date of BFG registration otherwise penalties (5 year tax-free ban etc) will be imposed.
Why can’t I use ‘This or That’ insurance company for my insurance cover?
  • All German insurance companies are acceptable.
  • Not all UK companies want to operate in Germany due to the cost and legal implications of vehicles permanently resident in Germany for the period of the owner’s posting.
  • The list of UK insurance companies who are prepared to cover vehicles resident in Germany and registered with the BFG VLO, not DVLA, are listed in SOBA(G) 3213, Section 4, Appendix 1 to Annex C.
  • This is permanently under review.
You’ve rejected my application. Why? Most of the entries given on the Reject Sheet are self explanatory. Where further clarification is considered necessary this is advised in additional note form. If you still require assistance go to your unit BFG office or contact the BFG VLO Helpline JHQ 4100.
*Source: http://www.bfgnet.de
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How to register your BFG car in UK

To register your BFG vehicle in the UK you will need the following documents:
(n.b. this action is not the same as de-registering your vehicle from BFG)

  1. BFG Form 414 (yellow form) applied for in advance.
  2. UK insurance cover note or insurance certificate (a green card is not acceptable).
  3. Certificate of Conformity (if not previously UK registered).
  4. BFG registration card (BFG Form 73).
    UK pink/blue log book (if held).
  5. Completed V55/5 registration application form (obtained from local DVLA office).
  6. MOT test certificate if the vehicle is more than three years old.
  7. Letter of authority from a dealer if you are selling the vehicles and if you intend to use the dealer's address for registration purposes.
  8. Cash or cheque to pay for the UK Road Fund Licence (tax disc).
  9. REMEMBER, after registering your vehicle in the UK you must de-register the vehicle with your local BFG office/ BFGVLO using the BFG Form 4003 (obtained from your local BFG office). The BFG Form 73 (registration card - if returned to you by the DVLA) and BFG number plates must be returned to the BFG VLO. Do not hand these to a dealer or non-entitled person because they are property of the BFG VLO. If you are not returning to BFG you must send these items to the BFG VLO using the following Freepost address:

    Defence Postal & Courier Services
    UK Mail Operations (BFG VLO)
    FREEPOST LON 8236
    Westend Road
    Ruislip
    London HA4 6DQ

Important instructions for registering a BFG vehicle in the UK
- READ CAREFULLY -

  1. WARNING Failure to follow these instructions may lead to an administrative penalty prohibiting the purchase of any further tax-free vehicles and loss of BFG fuel coupons for you and all members of your family for up to five years and could lead to a tax penalty.
  2. BFG Form 414. In order to register or re-register any BFG vehicle in the UK you must only use a yellow BFG Form 414. Read and follow the instructions on the yellow form. Under no circumstances use a white VAT 414 which you may be offered in DVLA office in the UK.
  3. Period of Use. The yellow BFG Form 414 must not be used and the vehicle must not arrive in the UK before the "VALID FOR USE FROM" date shown on the form. This means that you must not arrive in the UK with the vehicle even a few days early in order, for example, to visit relations or friends or to attend a course. You must not use the yellow BFG Form 414 after the "VALID FOR USE UNTIL" date.
    (For short notice course attendance a special application can be made to C&I to allow the vehicle to arrive in the UK early although registration may not happen until the 12 month date).
  4. Validity When registering your vehicle in the UK its BFG registration must still be current. If it is not, your yellow BFG Form 414 will be deemed null and void.
  5. Registration On arrival in the UK you are required to register your vehicle with the DVLA without delay, normally within three working days.

If you do not understand anything, before you leave Germany with your vehicle contact your local Customs and Immigration office or telephone the Customs and Immigration customer enquiry line on Rheindahlen Military (72) 2229 / Civil 02161 472 2229.

Once you have arrived in the UK it is too late to rectify problems and you will have to return to BFG in order to correct your paperwork.

*Source: Customs and Immigration BFG, BFPO 40 (Sept. '08)

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