Procedures customers should know

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jerry Emry
  • Kapaun POV inspection station
KAPAUN AIR STATION, Germany --  In an effort to provide a high-quality and more expedient service to the customers of the KMC, I would like to point out the procedures for when you take your vehicle to get inspected at the Kapaun Privately Owned Vehicle inspection station.

For the safety of others, stop at the stop sign and wait to be called forward. Additionally, have your current registration and renewal application (form 190-1AA) readily available. The inspector will then ask you to provide your warning triangle and first aid kit (Deutsche Industrienorm (DIN), German Industry Standard 13164). If you have the above items readily available it will speed up the process. Next you will be asked to open the hood. At this time an inspector will ensure your battery is secure with a bracket and there are no visible leaks or rust holes. Your vehicle will then have a brake test performed, it will be test-driven, and then be inspected over a pit as to ensure the underneath of your vehicle is sound.

The items that will be inspected include, but are not limited to, lighting, steering components, leaks to include engine, steering, transmission, differentials, coolant, and transfer case. Tires will also be inspected to ensure at least 1/16 of an inch tread depth at all points of the tire that meet the road surface is available. The vehicle's exhaust will be inspected for leaks. The windshield will be inspected for cracks, chips, and window tint. Window tint is not allowed on the front windows and cannot extend below the AS1 line of the windshield (4 inches from top of windshield).

The height of the vehicle will also be checked; the minimum height allowance for flexible parts such as body skirt moldings is 8 centimeters from the ground and for hard parts such as exhaust and frame is 11 centimeters. Furthermore, license plates must be affixed permanently with screws, nuts or bolts. This is not an all inclusive list of the items that are inspected at the POV inspection station, but just some helpful information that may give you a better understanding of the process.

The purpose of the inspection is to ensure your POV meets the standards set forth in USAREUR regulation 190-1, dated Aug. 13, 2010, and also to make sure your vehicle is safe to travel the European roads, which at times can be very dangerous. If you have any questions about the POV inspections, call 489-6400. I hope this will help make the process a more enjoyable and less stressful experience for all of our customers here in the KMC.