Germany and the US Army Advise Soldiers to Leave Cybertrucks at Home | Carscoops

      Soldiers bringing personal vehicles to Germany is generally acceptable, but Tesla's Cybertruck, with its sharp edges, does not meet approval standards.

      A recent release from the US Army Customs Agency confirmed that soldiers are prohibited from importing this vehicle.

      Military members who attempt to bring the truck may face shipping costs to return it to the United States.

      If you hope to drive a Tesla Cybertruck in Germany, you're out of luck. The electric pickup isn’t sold by Tesla in the country and doesn’t comply with EU safety regulations. Moreover, a recent document indicates that even US military personnel won’t be authorized to operate the Cybertruck on German roads.

      The guidance provided this week by the U.S. Army Customs Agency outlines why the Cybertruck has been officially banned in Germany.

      Importation Rules for Vehicles

      According to an agreement between the US military and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT), American service members can bring personal vehicles from the US and drive them locally without necessarily fulfilling all European safety standards. However, this exception does not apply to the Cybertruck.

      The agency's correspondence indicates that US Forces had inquired with the FMoT about whether military personnel could import the truck, receiving a definitive no in response.

      The rejection is based on “significant passive safety concerns.” The Cybertruck does not have EU type-approval as its sharp-edged stainless steel bodywork does not meet safety standards meant to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. The agency notes that the truck “deviates significantly” from EU legal requirements and that “safe operation in German public road traffic…is not ensured.”

      Unwanted Attention

      Apart from safety issues, the document points out that the Cybertruck would likely draw unnecessary attention in traffic, which goes against the purpose of USAREUR-AF cover plates intended for force protection. The Customs Agency stated, “For the above reasons, the U.S. Army Customs Agency will not issue import certificates for Tesla Cybertrucks.”

      Furthermore, the US Army Customs Agency warned that any military personnel who personally import a Cybertruck to Germany may have to bear the shipping costs to return it to the United States.