Guys,

First of all, do you drive around on US plates? If so, how do you obtain insurance and are there any issues with German laws when your car is modified?

I have heard rumors from my friends (in Europe) that you might get into issues because of the aftermarket parts. Since in the States we do not have nearly as strict technical examinations, I'm curious to know if there are any issues with bringing over a US car with tons of freaking mods

One example... in EU they have the dimension of their wheels/tires put into their vehicle registration, the displacement and power of the engine etc, while we have none of that nonsense So my friends cannot just change their wheels/tires as they please, unless it's been homologized and put into their vehicle registration. I would fail that miserablely if a cop pulled me over without even opening my hood.

Thinking about bringing my car over this or next year and do a little tour of Europe, but don't want to go through a hassle unless it's a non-issue...

 

If you go to Europe you have to go to Nürburgring.

 

Bringing your car for a little traveling is kinda a headache. Most of us here are in the military, and we still have issues. Driving around on US plates??? don't think you can, so you'll have to register thru the local inspection and registration consulate, which will make that rumor very real for you. I had to wait until I could get my stock exhaust in from shipping due to them failing me 2 times already because of the excessive noise. It is pretty loud, but not as bad as many I have seen in the states.... anyway, good luck

 

I know I can drive on US plates as long as I have insurance (seen many US cars in Austria/Slovenia and Croatia and spoke to few Americans that drove them in Croatia). But their cars were stock Lexus/Nissan/Mustang whatever. And I know I can get insurance (green card) in Croatia (which is not part of EU but insurance is still valid).
The question was, is it a problem going through EU countries if the car is modified.
Yes, Falcon got the idea, I wanted to go to Nurburgring.
There's plenty of fun roads here in HR too but tracks are expensive and hard to rent and it's still not the Ring (so it ends up being cheaper to go to Pocono, Lime Rock etc.)
I also know I can drive it here in Croatia modified all day long if I wanted to but here is not what the problem is. I would maybe get some looks from the cops, they would maybe pull me over but they would not send me a ticket back to the US. Plus I can always put a silencer in the exhaust.
I might bring the car over next time anyways but it would be sad not to visit the Ring. Costs about $1500 to ship it back to Newark in a container (not Ro-Ro).

 

SOR,

You can only drive the US plates very temporarily. If I am not mistaking no more than 30 days. You must register your car with local plates and pass the TUV inspection which will include:

Taking away 22" bling bling rims(unless they have a technical inspection)
Have DOT approved tires
have fog light in the back
have parking light white instead of amber and many many other suspension, brakes, steering and body detailed inspections.

All the countries in the European community have the same standars across the board. PM evofunk, he is the right person to answer everything, he spent 30 plus years in Europe and he has an Evo and lives in Germany again.

Carlos

 

Funny ... but I'm not planning on moving to Germany. Even when I had an offer I refused. I lived in Europe for 24 years myself before moving to US and there are ways to get around registering your car even after 30 days but this is not the place to write about it.
Question was, for those 30 days, or better said 3 days that will take me to drive to Nurburgring - drink beer - have dinner - sleep over - drive the track - drive back - possibly sleep on the way back, are you allowed to drive on the aftermarket 17s with wider tires, exhaust, cams, coilovers etc etc etc without being pulled over and removed from the traffic?

I appreciate your replies but why is everybody trying to move me to freaking Europe and completely ignoring my question?
Am I being unclear with my question?

 

Sor,

You wrote:

First of all, do you drive around on US plates? If so, how do you obtain insurance and are there any issues with German laws when your car is modified?

You are very correct about the rules on the tecnical inspection vehicle card. Anything you do to the tires or engine must be refelected homologized on the inspection card itself.

As far is having issues with the law, you shouldn't worry much about it, you are there temporarily so they can't really track you down.

I don't know of anyone that can drive in Europe permanently with american plates unless they have a diplomat permit. I lived in Europe from 1972-1995 and 2000-2002. During that time I had cars with american plates but only for 30 days.

My answer is that I doubt you should have any issues with any citation since you will be consider a foreigner with a visitors temporary permit.


Carlos

 

That's what I was thinking. Gracias mi amigo

 

The inspection guys are the same b@st@rds here in Bamberg, but the guys in Schweinfurt are super cool... They didn't do a dB test on me, in fact they commented on how loud and cool my car sounds. I know people that have passed with tint on the front windows in Schweinfurt as well. I never go anywhere else for inspections now...