Military Hotrod Club - Can anyone tell me the inspection criteria for having a 4th gen in Europe?

I really need to know what the inspections and requirements are for bringing my 02' Z28 to anywhere in Europe. I have TSP 3" True Duals on the car and I hear about the decibel tests. I really need to know what I should be prepared to get ready for in order to bring my car there. Any advice or input is much appreciated

Try this
USAFE Instruction 31-202 (http://www.hqusareur.army.mil/rmv/regulations/Army%20in%20Europe%20Regulation%20190-1%2015%20May%202009.htm)

I couldn't get the link to work

As far as DB it looks like if you are under 95 you should be good to go.

inspection info:

. ENVIRONMENTAL EMISSIONS RESTRICTIONS ON CITY ACCESS

a. The German Environmental Emissions Law that became effective 1 January 2008 authorizes German authorities to establish environmental zones and environmental-protection zones that prohibit motor vehicles from being driven in them without an appropriate emissions-restriction decal. The decal certifies that the vehicle is manufactured to a standard that makes its emissions acceptable in those areas. The decal must be displayed on the lower right side of the windshield (opposite side from the driver).

b. Field registration offices (FRSs) provide initial-issue decals free of charge, but will charge a fee for decals when issued to replace ones that are lost, damaged, or stolen. The FRS will issues these decals based on a determination by the POV inspector. The POV inspector will make appropriate entries on the vehicle mechanical safety inspection record (AE Form 190-1H) in the additional remarks block. The requirements in this paragraph apply to cars, trucks, vans, campers, and recreational vehicles (RVs) with a loaded vehicle weight of up to 7,700 pounds. Motorcycles, three-wheeled vehicles, quads, and Government vehicles are exempted from the requirement to display a decal. Failure of a vehicle to comply with the emissions requirements will not be grounds for failing the vehicle mechanical inspection.


(1) Cars with diesel engines that are model years 1996 and older will not receive a decal: emission category 1.

(2) Cars with diesel engines that are model years 1997 to 2000 will get a red decal: emission category 2.

(3) Cars with diesel engines that are model years 2001 to 2005 will get a yellow decal: emission category 3.

(4) Cars with diesel engines that are model years 2006 and newer will get a green decal: emission category 4.

(5) Cars with gasoline engines that are model years 1992 and older will not receive a decal: emission category 1.

(6) Cars with gasoline engines that are model years 1993 and newer will get a green decal: emission category 4.

(7) POVs with diesel engines that do not meet the standards to comply with the emission requirements or those that have a lower rating than green (emission category 4) may be modified or converted to the higher standards at the owner’s expense. POV owners who decide to do this must get the appropriate certification from a German Government-approved repair facility or from the authorized agencies that certify compliance such as TÜV or Dekra. When the owner provides proof in writing to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) that the vehicle has been modified or converted, the RMV will be issued a new emissions decal that matches the certification provided. This will be mailed to the POV owner. Vehicle inspection stations do not issue emissions decals.

c. Emission categories for vehicles in excess of 7,700 pounds loaded (for example, trucks, RVs) are as follows:


(1) Vehicles with diesel engines that are model years 1996 and older will not get a decal: emission category 1.

(2) Vehicles with diesel engines that are model years 1997 to 2001 will get a red decal: emission category 2.

(3) Vehicles with diesel engines that are model years 2002 to 2006 will get a yellow decal: emission category 3.

(4) Vehicles with diesel engines that are model years 2007 and newer will get a green decal: emission category 4.

I couldn't get the link to work
Try it at work , the link is good. Works at my house and at work.

Are you heading to Germany? England? it depends. I lived in Germany and now i am in England and I still have my tint, and blackouts on the back. In England I passed inspection and they didn't even do a decibal test for me.

I would say bring it no matter what you can and will find a way to pass a inspection. If you don't bring it you will regret it deeply. I love having my car over here. People look and stare and i get endless comments. yesterday i stopped at mcdonalds and had half dozen people around my car when i came out and tried to leave.

The inspection on my car was just a half ass walk around the car and check the brakes. I'm glad they didn't rev my car because I know it wouldn't pass exhaust sound level.

Aviano just makes sure you have no broken parts and nothing leaking, dont matter how loud it is as long as you have an exhaust system on it....for inspections at least

i was wondering this too. I might be going to Stuttgart Germany and i want to take my Camaro but there is no smog place in the states that'll pass me so i wasn't sure how Europe works. that order isn't very informative either.

i was wondering this too. I might be going to Stuttgart Germany and i want to take my Camaro but there is no smog place in the states that'll pass me so i wasn't sure how Europe works. that order isn't very informative either.
For emissions its just a visual with no sniff . That regulation is very vague and it contradicts itself. Plus you have inspectors interpreting it the way they see fit. I believe a six grade class could have written a better regulation then USAFE, USAREUR,NAVEUR, and MARFOREUR combined.
Oh yeah , I forgot about the 400liters a month fuel ration.

If you are coming to Germany check out fbodyeurope.org

Here is some fun reading for here.
http://forum.fbodyeurope.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=8281

http://forum.fbodyeurope.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=8338

http://forum.fbodyeurope.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8394

http://forum.fbodyeurope.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8194

If you are coming to Germany check out fbodyeurope.org

Here is some fun reading for here.
http://forum.fbodyeurope.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=8281

http://forum.fbodyeurope.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=8338

http://forum.fbodyeurope.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8394

http://forum.fbodyeurope.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8194


That last thread is mine. I ended up selling my car partly because of the pain in the ass it was to get it to pass inspection.

I'll be in Germany in March, Schweinfurt specifically.

I have the Strano Springs, I'm guessing I should wait until I get there to put them on.

How's the gas over there, regarding the octane level? I've heard rumors about them having 96, 98 and 100 octane all over the place there. Is this true?

subscribing for future reference

I'll be in Germany in March, Schweinfurt specifically.

I have the Strano Springs, I'm guessing I should wait until I get there to put them on.

How's the gas over there, regarding the octane level? I've heard rumors about them having 96, 98 and 100 octane all over the place there. Is this true?
Yes its true, but .... there is always a reason. The reason is, gasoline in Europe is measured using RON. So there is no magical fuel over here. As a rule of thumb, just subtract by 5 points and you have basically 91, 93,and 95 octane gas. So there is really nothing special about the gasoline except when you purchase it on the local economy.

so after reading from the other forum, there is no way my car can pass once im done modding it. so i guess i wont be taking the car to Germany if i get orders then:(

so after reading from the other forum, there is no way my car can pass once im done modding it. so i guess i wont be taking the car to Germany if i get orders then:(

What other forum are you talking about?
And what carwith what mods?

i was talking about the fbodyeurope.org links. and my car should be done modding with items in sig by December and i would be going to Germany in January.

My car passes and its modified pretty good. For the most part to pass inspection you have to have exhaust noise down to 95 decibels;car 11cm from the lowest hard point; No tint on the driver, passenger and front windshield.

from what everyone was saying, if you have mods beyond bolt ons its too hard to pass. what mods do you have?

Basically the same mods you have in your Sig minus the Kmember.
Plus 4piston brakes at all fourcorners adjustable coil overs at all 4 corners.

Here at Aviano they just look for broken stuff, torn bushings, leaks, check all lights, and they make sure you have a road triangle and vest as required by italian law. It's pretty much a joke. My T/A isn't loud unless you get on it (LT's/ORY/Catback). I was worrying about it before I PCS'ed here, as i have illegal tint and no cats, but it's no big deal.

I brought my Cobra to the Netherlands. The tint is illegal but I kept the windows down for the inspection and they were so impressed by everything else they never checked. I was also worried about the 90db noise limit is done by them holding the gas steady at 3000 rpms with the soundmeter 12-20 inches behind the tailpipe. Mine would have never passed. So what i did was took some soda cans and packed them with steel wool and my exhaust has drainage holes on the bottom of the tailpipe portion so i used screws to hold them in place and I just made it by at 87db. In the Netherlands they tested it 3 seperate times and averaged them. Also for emissions here they just did a visual for the cats. They never did anymore. I believe their emissions standards are worse here than in most US states. I am not sure about Germany though.

I love F-bodies and Vettes but damn my Cobra is really nice to have 600+ RWHP and TQ with egr/cats/mufflers still present. It also gets decent gas mileage. I really wish the damn guy who had the Procharged MY ZO-6 wouldn't have played hardball on the price otherwise I would have that here instead.

You are bound to find someone that is shady and will pass you. Its a universal code man. I just left UK and prior to that I was in Greece. It was easy to pass at both countries.

If they fail you, what happens? You have to fix the problem and return, or can you just try somewhere else?

If they fail you, what happens? You have to fix the problem and return, or can you just try somewhere else?


Yeah they will either offer you a price to fix the problems for you, tell you that you have 30 days to do it yourself and return, or you can try another facility. The facility that you went to will still charge you and if you bring it back to them they will not charge you again but the new one will charge full price again on top of what you paid the other one. In the Netherlands it was 35 euro for an inspection.

I think there is some confusing info on here. Not all European countries have the same rules or interpret them the same way. Me and Roy are talking about the KMC/Ramstein area which should be no different than any other German inspection.

Unless you KNOW someone there is no sneaking by. They are all a pain in the ass. They are very strict and target the 11cm height, no tint on front windows and 95 dB at half redline. If they can't find a way to fail you for those then they will look at leaks and cracked bushings. Are rears are notorious for "looking" wet and they consider that a fail. I always take my cars to the hobby shop before hand to clean the underbody with the help of a lift to prevent that.

It really does not matter what mods you have......as long as you pass what is listed above. If you fail there are certain games you can play to work the system. Upon failure you can continue to use the vehicle until the temp tag (30 days) runs out or your old yearly inspection is done. Once it is done you can not drive it and must register it as non-op until it is fixed and "ready for inspection". If you do not do anything when the your registration is expired then you are penalized 3 days to every 1 that you are late.

Do not hesitate to bring your vehicle with you. Even when dealing with the inspection BS. If you really enjoy the sport/hobby you will go insane without it....been there, done that, shipped another over on my own dime.

What about EGR visual? I have no EGR/AIR

There is currently no requirement for any emmissions. However, you must have the underhood emmissions sticker to ship your car back stateside from Germany.

What about EGR visual? I have no EGR/AIR

Things are different in the Netherlands because the guys just looked at everything and nodded their head. Maybe I found a cool shop... I dunno. I looked in the phonebook and pointed. They tried to visual my egr which is there but they had no clue what to look for. They just asked me eventually as for I stood next to my car the whole time they had it in their garage. I will say what has already been said. Noise level, leaks/wet spots on underside, and visual for the cats/egr/mufflers. They initially thought I had no mufflers since the Cobra tailpipes are easily seen from the rear the guy pointed said straight pipes that is why its loud. Then they saw the cats and mufflers on the underside and they shit themselves.

Things are different in the Netherlands because the guys just looked at everything and nodded their head. Maybe I found a cool shop... I dunno. I looked in the phonebook and pointed. They tried to visual my egr which is there but they had no clue what to look for. They just asked me eventually as for I stood next to my car the whole time they had it in their garage. I will say what has already been said. Noise level, leaks/wet spots on underside, and visual for the cats/egr/mufflers. They initially thought I had no mufflers since the Cobra tailpipes are easily seen from the rear the guy pointed said straight pipes that is why its loud. Then they saw the cats and mufflers on the underside and they shit themselves.

haha, the old 03-04 cobra will do that to the people over here in Europe...

haha, the old 03-04 cobra will do that to the people over here in Europe...


Yes it will! :D