Reciprocity

DMV Diplomatic Motor Vehicle Reciprocity Program

 

The Office of Foreign Missions’ Diplomatic Motor Vehicle Reciprocity Program provides a mechanism to reduce needless expenditures accrued in complying with arbitrary host country restrictions, while improving the capabilities of our overseas missions.  Restrictive motor vehicle practices encountered range from taxes and duties exceeding 100% of the value of the vehicle; limitations on vehicle number, value or engine size; bans on certain types of vehicles; sale only to government offices at below market prices; expensive and exceedingly cumbersome registration and/or disposition procedures; to severe vehicle type restrictions by diplomatic rank of our personnel.  These restrictions not only consume U.S. Government resources and adversely effect morale, but also impose severe financial burdens on mission staff, often on those who are the lowest paid in the diplomatic service.

 

Current motor vehicle practices in other countries are evaluated and compared to the practices employed with foreign missions in the United States.  This Office receives information on current practices in other countries either by detailed surveys to U.S. Missions abroad or daily issues that arise at our missions abroad or foreign missions in the United States.  A country specific reciprocal policy is then developed to ensure equity of practices and the foreign mission is apprised of it.  Through the imposition of sanctions, the Diplomatic Motor Vehicle Reciprocity Program encourages countries to extend more equitable treatment to U.S. Missions and personnel abroad.

The primary goal of OFM/DMV's motor vehicle reciprocity program is to obtain more favorable treatment and cost savings for ourU.S. missions abroad.

Current motor vehicle practices in other countries are evaluated and compared to the practices OFM employs with foreign missions in the U.S. A reciprocal policy is developed to ensure equity of practices and the foreign mission is apprised of it. Such policies may limit the numbers, value, acquisition, and/or disposition of vehicles as well as impose a fee or surcharge for various vehicle-related transactions.The Office of Foreign Missions OFM does not apply reciprocateity to such issues as public safety, vehicle registration, minimum insurance liability limits or driver licenses.  The Office of Foreign Missions’ OFM’sconduct in these areas is governed by U.S. law.