I'm doing more research into either building or purchasing a Locost type vehicle while I'm stationed in Germany.

I have seen a couple posts saying that it is more difficult to register one here than in the UK, but without any real specifics.

I have seen an American style "Hot Rod" driving around here, complete with open wheels, exposed engine, etc. So it must be possible to register a similar vehicle.

I will check with my local inspection station to get their take on things, but thought some members here might have some first hand knowledge.

If I purchase one, I would like to find a vehicle with a registration / build date of 1991 or earlier to make it more likely that I can take it back to the US with me at the end of my tour. That would take advantage of the 25+ year guideline for importing a "classic" car to the US.

Any advice or experiences to share would be appreciated. Thanks!

Rob

Well I’m sure there are folk in Germany who flout the rules or work round them as much as goes on in the UK, the hot rod is most likely using a vintage car registration so would be avoiding current legislation that way. Realistically though would you not be much better selling the 7 you get in Germany and then just buying one in the US rather than the cost and hassle of shipping it all that way?

Not knocking the 7 in any way but there are many other types of fun car that are a lot more available and don’t have registration issues. I wonder just how much use you will actually get from a rather impractical car, most are just weekend good weather toys.

I believe some build their cars in other countries and get them tested and registered here in the UK then export them back to the other country.

Could be a way of doing it with less hassle although I'm sure it would add to the cost.

Registering a kit in Germany is notoriously hard
Even Caterham only offer a couple of factory built models over there due to the difficulty / expense


Having said that it can be done - here's one example:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=195789

I think its a bit of a nightmare, iirc a local lad managed it with his Westfield but had to jump through hoops to sort it

When I was out there I talked to the authorities and between my bad German and their slightly better English the answer seemed to be that I'd have to submit a prototype for crash testing! In other words they don't cater to hobbiests at all. I'm not saying it was the definitive answer but it was enough for me to decide to trailer it to UK and put it through IVA (by the time that happened I'd moved back to UK anyway)

The news is better if you buy an already registered British with documents car because they will register used cars from all over EU.

[Edited on 4/2/16 by luke2152]

The wording that you have used "stationed" and "tour" suggest forces. If so, is it no longer the case that you can register it as a US vehicle while stationed there and not involve the German authorities at all? Or has the US gone like the UK and changed to using local registrations so as not to stand out to potential terrorists?

My thought would be to find a registered vehicle in the UK and bring it to Germany. It looks like that would at least make it easier.

Yes, all registrations are now the same. No way to tell the difference like there used to be. We have to pass the same inspection criteria as well.

Mr Whippy: Good perspective on things. Thank you.

I tend to get emotionally attached to just about every car I've ever owned. (Except for the '73 Plymouth Satellite Custom I nicknamed "Mogwai" because it had Gremlins in just about every system in the car!)

I have trouble treating my cars like "just cars" for some reason. It drives my wife crazy!

In my mind I see myself finding some really cool Locost with a neat story behind it that I just fall in love with, get emotionally attached to, and jump through a hundred hoops to take it back with me. Then I have a cool story to tell all my friends and strangers alike when I drive it all over the US to shows and races... LOL

In reality,... I'll probably just post a bunch of this type stuff for the next couple years without ever even sitting in one, move back to the states and always regret not doing it.

It is certainly possible, tho' likely to be a lengthy & expensive process, one of our customers has a Furore road legal in Germany
, but even tho' he has achieved it some people still seem to refuse to believe it is possible - I'm sure being German helps as it removes the language barrier & I strongly suspect there may be an element of who you know, not what you know!

see Here

& here

I believe if you can find a 20 year old kitcar which is registered in the UK (essential that it is genuinely registered 20+ years ago, not just built from 20 year old parts) then the registration process is MUCH simpler

I have had some replies to my post in the wanted section. More to follow... :-)