Winter Tire Requirements in Germany

Winter weather is slowly approaching. Here’s what drivers in Germany need to know:

With winter just around the corner, it’s important to remember that Germany’s tire requirements differ from those in the United States.

Under German law, drivers must use winter tires whenever roads are affected by snow, slush, ice, black ice or frost. This is a situational requirement, meaning it applies whenever winter conditions occur — not from a specific date.

Many drivers follow the informal “O to O” rule, switching to winter tires in October and keeping them on until Easter. While this practice isn’t legally required, it remains a common seasonal guideline.

Only tires marked with the Alpine symbol — a mountain with a snowflake — qualify as legal winter tires. Tires with the old M+S (mud and snow) marking no longer meet legal requirements and are not permitted in winter conditions. If you use all‑weather tires, they must also display the Alpine symbol to be compliant.

Please make sure your vehicle is equipped with the correct tires before winter weather arrives. It’s best to prepare early to stay safe — and stay within German regulations.

Announcements

#COMMUNITYANNOUNCEMENTS (Oct. 26-Nov. 1): 

  • #Halloween is just around the corner. Check out some Halloween events at https://home.army.mil/bavaria/Directorates/pao/upcoming-events
  • BOWLING CENTER CLOSURE: The Tower Barracks Bowling Center will close Wednesday, Oct. 28 until further notice.
  • POV INSPECTION CLOSURE: Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Inspection Station, Tower Barracks, Bldg. 301, will be closed Thursday, Oct. 29, from 7:15 a.m. to noon and will be fully closed on Friday, Oct. 30.
  • FALL CLEAN-UP: Bulky Item Pickup is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 4 (Rose Barracks) and Nov. 5 (Tower Barracks) for on-post housing and troop billeting areas.
  • Select installation offices and transportation services at Rose Barracks and Tower Barracks will operate on modified hours Thursday, Oct. 29, in support of the scheduled 405.AFSB.BAVARIA Personnel Assembly. The following offices and services will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon and will resume normal operations after the scheduled lunch period.  
  • Tower Barracks 

- All Shuttle Routes 
- Driver Testing and Training Station (DTTS) 
- Personal Property Processing Office (PPPO) 
- Household Goods Quality Control (QC) 
- Hazardous Material Re-Use Center (HMRC) 
- Subsistence Supply Management Office (SSMO) 

  • Rose Barracks 

 - All Shuttle Routes 
 - Central Issue Facility (CIF) 
 - Regional Storage & Staging Area (RSSA) 
 - Property Book Office (PBO) 

#HOHENFELSCOMMUNITY: 

  • TEMPORARY RELOCATION VEHICLE REGISTRATION: The Hohenfels Vehicle Registration Office will undergo a temporary closure and relocation over the next few days.
    • Oct. 28: Last customer accepted at 11:45 due to end-of-month inventory.
    • Oct. 29–30: Office closed for relocation back to Bldg. 10.
    • Nov. 2: Services resume at 8 a.m. in Building 10.
  • COMMUNITY HUDDLE: The community is invited to join the quarterly community huddle at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 29 at the Community Activity Center (Bldg. 40). 
  • ID/DEERS, MILITARY PERSONNEL CLOSE OCT. 28, 29: The Military Personnel Division and ID/DEERS office close Oct. 28 and 29 so they can relocate back to Bldg. 10 Oct. 30. 
  • PARENT CENTRAL, VAT MOVE TO BLDG. 10: Both Parent Central Services and Value Added Tax office reopen at Bldg. 10 Nov. 2. Parent Central Services closes Oct. 29 and 30 to accommodate the move. 
  • 1-4 TRUNK OR TREAT: 1st BN., 4th Infantry Regiment, hosts Trunk-or-Treat from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at the 1-4 motor pool. Included in this fun, Family-drive event will be candy, contests for costume and trunk decorations and more!
  • FALL CLEANUP: Fall Cleanups at the Hohenfels Community will take place at the from Nov. 16-19 

#GARMISCHCOMMUNITY: 

  • Due to a Personnel Assembly, Tuesday, Oct. 26, some offices may have limited services from 2-4 p.m. 
  • Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Inspection Station in Garmisch, Artillery Kaserne, Bldg. 210, will be closed Thursday, Oct. 29, from 7:15 a.m. to noon 

This information will be updated throughout the week. 

Vigilance Reminder

 — If you #See something, #Say something! Remain vigilant, report suspicious activity.
 
#Report all suspicious activity to Military Police by calling 114 or going to the iSalute website at https://www.usainscom.army.mil/isalute/ This includes: suspicious packages, drones, and individuals conducting unofficial photography/videography.
 
Traveling? Enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security alerts.
For more information visit:
 
 

Alcohol Ban at DB train stations

Oct. 15, 2026, the nationwide Deutsche Bahn alcohol ban will go into effect on all DB train stations.

What does that mean?
While carrying closed bottles or cans in your bags remains completely permitted, consuming alcoholic beverages in DB station areas will be strictly prohibited. The ban will not apply onboard DB trains and inside the station's legally designated bars and restaurants.

What you can expect:
You can expect an increased presence of DB security staff actively monitoring platforms and station halls to enforce the new rule.

Read all about it here: https://www.deutschebahn.com/.../Deutsche-Bahn...

 

Additional Announcements

Road Closure - Main Intersection in Grafenwoehr

The Deyerling intersection in Grafenwoehr will be fully closed beginning Wednesday, Sept. 30, through approximately Nov. 14 due to construction work on the traffic light system.

The intersection will be closed to all vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic during this period.

The "Böhm" bus stop on Neue Amberger Straße and the "Post" bus stop at Alte Amberger Straße will not be accessible during this time.

Please use "Marienplatz" as an alternative bus stop.

Please follow posted detour signs and plan extra time for your commute.

Access to nearby properties — including banks, pharmacies and local shops — may be temporarily limited. The construction team will work to reduce disruptions and maintain access as much as possible.

Mailing Adress Update

Update Your Mailing Address from “CMR” to “PSC” by Sept. 30, 2026

The USPS is updating all overseas military mailing addresses from the CMR designation to PSC. To avoid mail delays, please ensure all correspondents are notified of your new PSC address no later than Sept. 30, 2026.

Example Format:

First Name Last Name

PSC ### Box ####

APO, AE #####

Staying up to date ensures your mail is delivered without interruption.

Off-Post Road Closure

Road Closure: State Road 2168, the road between Netzaberg and Eschenbach, will be closed from Aug. 31 to Dec. 11 for roadway improvements.

The section of State Road 2168 between Netzaberg and Grafenwoehr will remain open and is not affected.

Travelers heading to or from Eschenbach will need to use the detour through Grafenwoehr via Pressath and follow the B470 to Eschenbach.

Road Closure Eschenbach.jpg_______

__________________________
 

Off-Post traffic update: Parkstein - Hütten Bridge Replacement Over B470. Starting Monday, March 30 construction will begin to replace the bridge on Kreisstraße NEW 2 (Parkstein - Hütten) over Bundesstraße 470 (Pressath - AS Weiden-West A93). The project aims to improve the clearance height under the bridge, which has caused frequent collision damage in the past. The project is expected to be completed by November 2026. 

Initial Full Closure: From March 30, 7 a.m., both B470 and NEW 2 will be completely closed for three weeks to allow for the demolition of the old bridge. 

Detours:  

  • B470 Detour: From Weiden (AS Weiden-West) via A93, B22 to Erbendorf, B299 through Hessenreuth, and back to Pressath. The same route applies in reverse. 

  • Additional Detour from Grafenwöhr: Via Mantel to Weiden. 

  • NEW 2 Detour: Follows the same routes, with access to Parkstein-Hütten remaining open. 

  • After the initial closure, a temporary roundabout will allow traffic flow at the construction site. 

Netzaberg Internet Service Changes

As of now, we kindly ask you to visit the following pages for detailed information:

For additional information, feel free to visit the

TKS Shop - Off Post
Location: Grafenwoehr City
Address: Alte Amberger Str. 40, 92655 Grafenwoehr, Germany

TKS Shop - On Post (PX)
Location: Tower Barracks PX
Address: Building 700, Grafenwoehr, Germany

TKS Customer Service Phone Number: +49 631 3522 499

News Releases

Housing Meter Reading

Attention Off Post Leased Housing Tenants: Submit your Utility Meter Readings following the METER READING SIMPLIED GUIDANCE (ANNEX A to OPORD 26-005) in this post. Please send a picture of your meter and the meter reading info to the following email address: usarmy.bavaria.id-europe.list.dpw-publicutility@army.mil 

This is an annual requirement as a tenant of an off post leased housing residence. Help us help the Army save millions and put funds back into the mission and housing. 

Without meter readings, Host Nation utility companies estimate the consumption and charge at a higher usage and rate overall. Accurate reporting will immediately impact and reduce costs in 2026 and those funds will be transferred to the war fighter mission and housing vise the utility company. 

How to submit you meter reading

Giant Voice Testings

Testing of the Giant Voice system will take place every Friday around noon to ensure the system is functioning properly and to keep our community safe.

You may hear a siren and a message in both English and German. This is only a test; no action is required from community members.

 

Travel Advisory: Nicotine Pouches

France has criminalized the possession, importation, and use of non-medically approved nicotine pouches (such as Zyn and Velo). Personnel traveling through or operating in France must ensure they do not carry or use these products to avoid severe legal consequences.

Key points:

- Banned Products: Zyn, Velo, and similar non-medical nicotine lozenges/pouches.

- The Law: The ban applies nationwide across France and covers possession, import, and personal use, not just manufacturing and distribution.

- Penalties: Violations can result in extreme penalties, fines beginning at 15,000 Euro and potential imprisonment, additionally fines can go up to 375,000 Euro and potential prison time.

- Action Required: If you or anyone you know is traveling to or operating in France, ensure they are aware of this law and leave these products behind.

Weather Alerts and Closures