Movement credit

Road movements involving more than ten military vehicles or individual vehicles whose total weight, axle loads or dimensions exceed legally approved limits require a specific authorisation for the use of public roads: they need a movement credit. They put more strain on the roads than usual, leading to excessive road wear. Such authorisation is also necessary for the transport of dangerous goods for which routeing is required in accordance with Section 35(b) of the Ordinance on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road, Rail and Inland Waterways. Examples include transporting at least 254 antitank mines or two missiles for the PATRIOTPhased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target air defence system.

The agency in question submits a request for a movement credit to the Bundeswehr Logistics Centre in Wilhelmshaven. The Centre reviews the request for completeness and compliance with the regulations, directives, laws and the civilian road authorities’ requirements. These include, for example, requirements on the transport of dangerous goods, the roadworthiness of vehicles or noise control, as well as the current conditions on German roads.

After that, the Logistics Centre will issue the written movement credit, i.e. the authorisation for the movement. Vehicles that weigh more than 40 tonnes, are wider than 2.55 metres or higher than four metres, for example, may only drive on German roads with an appropriate permit from the civilian authorities. It may not be possible to pass through narrow parts of the road, construction sites, bridges or underpasses due to their insufficient dimensions or limited load capacity. Accordingly, the Bundeswehr Logistics Centre uses the movement credit to provide drivers with the exact route they have to follow. Existing requirements for heavy transports, for example, are monitored in consultation with the military police and, if necessary, with the civilian police.

In general, a new request must be submitted for each movement, as the combination of vehicles, the type and scope of transported defence material or hazardous goods, and start and destination change every time.