Driving overseas is just like in the States, except for the signs in foreign languages, and the occasional country where you’re driving on the left side of the road. Then, there are the roundabouts, which supposedly allow for faster traffic, unless you are trying to enter during a snarl, in which case you are stuck in place until someone takes pity on you. In England, however, pity is just a word from a Charles Dickens novel.

Personal recollections aside, being able to drive overseas is a basic need. Trains do not run everywhere, and your duty assignment may require you to be licensed to drive. In Germany, the requirement for all assigned personnel is a US Army Europe (USAREUR) License. Applying for one is part of the in-processing checklist. In other European countries, military personnel, dependents, and civilian employees are required to have the same license. In Italy, this is a SETAF License.

Most assignments do not require an additional exam, but a few do require attending a classroom course. The one I took in Japan was not difficult and centered primarily on driving on the left side of the road. The hardest part was learning the traffic symbols. Signs on every major highway were in Kanji and spelled out using English letters, which helped. Once completed, assigned personnel receive the USFJ Form 4EJ. This is the only approved license for military personnel. It was very easy to get around, and everyone I met, from shop owners to police officers, went out of their way to ensure my family and I had a great experience.

Once you have obtained your license, remember to purchase sufficient insurance to meet all the necessary requirements. In some places (Germany, for example), there is also a requirement to have a reflective road emergency sign and a first aid kit that looks more like a trauma kit from an emergency room.

Not every overseas base has a licensing program for family members. For them and service members, there is also the International Driving Permit. This is issued through AAA and is the only agency authorized by the US Department of State to do so. You can apply in person or by mail. The cost is only $20 and is a needed document to have if you drive in a country where you are not assigned in a PCS or TDY status.

For specific driving and licensing information on the country where you wish to vacation, contact your installation’s MWR Travel Office. It is a good source for licensing, as well as car rentals, and the best hotels available with a military discount.

Finally, a friendly warning, accompanied by a good laugh. If you are driving in a left-side road country (England or Japan, for example), but still using your American-made vehicle, always have a passenger when using a drive-thru service. If you don’t, you’ll never forget how the server laughed his tail off as you had to turn off the engine, unbuckle your seatbelt, and climb over the gearshift to get your order.

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