Do I need a car in the first 4 years in the Army if I live in the barracks and I am single?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 11:17:13 -0500

I am going to Baumholder, Germany in 2 months and I am not sure if I must bring my car. I don’t want to because it is crashed and I want to fix it in the States.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jan 13 at 2019 11:21 AM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 11:21:39 -0500

Your vehicle has to pass a safety inspection to be registered with USAREUR. A crashed car that needs repaired probably isn't going to pass.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jan 13 at 2019 11:29 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 11:29:23 -0500

No, you don't "need" a car. You might "want" one though. If you get over there and decide that you want a car, I would recommend buying/selling over there, rather than shipping one over and back.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jan 13 at 2019 4:13 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 16:13:45 -0500

You will not need a car in Germany, Europe for the most part. There are taxis, street cars and trains. There are bicycle road everywhere. I went almost everywhere on my bike. You have to ship a car there to get one shipped back free. Getting a drivers license is hard. I knew of people that could not pass the test. It is like no other here in the states. Owning a car on a single private's pay is almost out of reach.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2019 6:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 18:05:05 -0500

I would just purchase a beater when you get over there. There are a few dealerships with reasonable used cars right outside Smith Barracks. I hate using public trans so I always get a car. Also I dont need to rely on others.

Response by SGT David T. made Jan 14 at 2019 12:38 PM

SGT David T. — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 12:38:30 -0500

You can procure one locally pretty cheap. I would suggest having a car there since it pretty much sucks walking anywhere on that base in the winter. You can get by without one but it will make things somewhat more difficult to get around.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2019 6:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 18:16:20 -0500

You don't need a car, but it certainly helps to have one if you want to travel via car instead of train....although that is a great way to travel thru Europe. Just buy a car from the "lemon lot" (the car lot Soldiers use to sell their cars they don't want to take back to the States). You can usually find some good cars for some good deals.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jan 17 at 2019 4:43 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 16:43:42 -0500

For the most part, a personal vehicle is unnecessary in Germany. Posts are typically small enough to walk everywhere easily, and once you figure out the train system it is fairly easy and inexpensive to travel around. Save your money; use public transportation and your feet.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2019 6:19 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 18:19:13 -0500

I don't know about Baumholder, but Germany in general is very easily navigated without a car. Some folks buy one locally and sell it when they leave. I just took trains everywhere. I recommend a mountain bike, as there are bike paths all over creation in Germany.

Response by SGT Ryan Fleek made Jan 17 at 2019 8:52 PM

SGT Ryan Fleek — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 20:52:55 -0500

I was in Baumholder for 3 years and didn’t need a car at all.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2019 12:03 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 00:03:24 -0500

Before bringing your vehicle, if you are still paying on it, you may have to ask the lien holder permission to take the car out of country. I will tell you I was stationed in Baumholder and it would be wise to take your car, if not purchase a cheap car when you get there. P.S. Start studying for the test now.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Mar 11 at 2019 7:57 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 07:57:23 -0400

One thing to keep in mind is that owning a POV is ( or during my time there) not a right but a privilege that the commander's decide upon. There is so much to see in Germany that not having a car is like shooting yourself in the foot. Your going to be in the " Gateway to Europe" so take advantage of it. Sure , trains are available but they don't take you everywhere and your then kind of at the mercy of where they do take you. Mountain bikes would be good for after trains but not as a way to get around as most back roads are narrow and kinda scarry on a bike. It's best to leave your car home as they are geared differently. Saw many soldiers bring their pig's and destroy the motors on the Autobahns. Get one locally and sell it when your done. I was in Germany from 88 to 09 so if you need tips, pointers where to go let me know.

Response by PFC Larry Armstrong made Feb 26 at 2020 7:39 PM

PFC Larry Armstrong — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 19:39:00 -0500

Yes. You will be able see the beautiful sights of Germany and surrounding Countries

Response by SSG Steven Bailey made Jan 13 at 2023 5:43 PM

SSG Steven Bailey — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 17:43:57 -0500

Sell your car and buy a used one from someone rotating back to the states. You'll need a car if you ever want to leave post.