The New USAREUR Commander has requested a review of AER 190-1, the regulation for obtaining a USAREUR driver's license and motorcycle endorsement. The proposed new rules are more stringent and ridiculous than the previous rules, which were pretty stringent and ridiculous.
The old rules required, among other things, that everyone requesting a motorcycle endorsement have attended an MSF course within 1 year or be required to attend before obtaining the endorsement, even if you've been riding for 40 years, and taken both the BRC and ERC multiple times. The new revision is worse.
From now on, if the proposal is approved, all those requesting a motorcycle endorsement to a USAREUR driver's license will have to attend an MSF course, regardless of when you last took it. Also, all those with current motorcycle endorsements will from now on have to attend an MSF course as an annual refresher. Those that do not, and don't provide proof to the Driver's License Testing people, will have their motorcycle endorsement revoked. This new rule is stupid, unenforceable, and a disincentive to what the command is trying to achieve, fewer motorcycle accidents.
How, for example, will USAREUR enforce this idiotic idea and complete failure to understand the purpose of the MSF courses..?
Suppose I don't get the required annual training from MSF, because I'm TDY. I don't go in and show proof of completion, and they revoke my motorcycle endorsement. So what..?
My motorcycle is registered for the next two years, as they are now doing 2 year registrations. Do they send me a letter telling me I've lost my mtorcycle endorsement..? What then..? Do they ask me to come in and turn in my driver's license..? What if I'm deployed for three months. like I just was..? Do they send the MPs to my off-post home and retrieve the license.
I should point out that I almost never show my license to gate guards, but if I knew it was gonna be a requirement I'd just park off-post and walk in the 200 meters to work. Then they'd never see my driver's license.
They could ask my boss to take my USAREUR driver's license from me. What if I say, I lost it. Will they arrest me and search me...I doubt it.
Suppose they refuse to re-register motorcycles if your endorsement has been revoked. So you just go in and say someone stole your license plate. Then take black tape and alter one letter or number. From a casual inspection it will look authentic and legal.
Suppose I turn in the USAREUR license plate and buy a European license plate from the black market, from France, or Belgium, or Italy. How will anyone know it isn't legitimate from a cursory inspection.
Be warned, the new rules are more draconian than the previous rules.