European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 25, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A a a a a a a a. A. A a a a a a Sas file a car gives travellers the Type of Freedom they need to explore areas like the scottish Highlands with their Hilly Windy roads. A a a Rill it up for Les discount Gas coupons save dollars make a lot of sense by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer one of the great benefits for americans stationed in Europe is the availability of a tax free motor fuel. This Means substantial savings since in Many countries the tax. Amounts to half the total Price. In Germany for example a liter of unleaded super gasoline now costs about 95 cents. The army air Force Exchange system Sells 200-liter booklets of coupons for $67.20, or about 34 cents a liter tax free fuel is available to americans in Germany the Netherlands Italy Greece Spain Britain Belgium and Turkey. In the latter three countries tax free fuel is available Only to service members and Dod civilians stationed there or on official travel. Status of forces agreements prohibit the sales to vacationers. But in the other countries listed people on leave can obtain tax free fuel by following certain procedures a Italy de Hamilton recreation supervisor at Vicenza said Only sponsors May Purchase fuel coupons for use on leave in Italy. Purchasers must present leave orders registration and id card at a military police station. The maps will Grant approval based on the a number of liners expected to be needed to drive in  Hamilton said the maximum allotment is 200 liners a month. Coupons Are purchased at exchanges. Drivers of rental cars May obtain authorization to Purchase Gas coupons by presenting their leave orders rental a. Agreement and id card at my stations the Italy fuel coupons May be used at Agio and in stations on Italy s superhighways the Autostrada and off them at Agio stations. A Hamilton emphasized that americans travelling without sponsors generally will not be issued fuel coupons. The Only exception is Quot an emergency authorization to get Back to the Border Quot Hamilton said. A Germany in Germany tax free fuel can be purchased for Cash at cafes stations or with coupons at nearly All Esso stations. The coupons May also be used at by stations on autobahn Germany s superhighways. By stations off the autobahn will not accept the coupons. Esso fuel suppliers for agricultural or Industrial use also will not accept coupons because they Are legally wholesalers. Fortunately they Are Small in number and most of travellers have never seen one. Service members and Dod civilians stationed in Europe or North Africa May buy tax free fuel while on leave in Germany. Family members must be accompanied by the sponsor. Required documents Are id card registration and proof of assignment Are required. For rental cars rental agreement and title document must also be presented As Well As a letter of authorization from the sponsor s commander. A / when travelling it is a Good idea to plan ahead using the Gas station map supplied by cafes this will help Avert the painful necessity of buying fun fac the full Price since Zefman tar cation Esso has been furiously building stations throughout the former East Germany and now it is possible to travel freely there without having to pay Economy prices. A the Netherlands the situation in the Netherlands is basically the same As in Germany.  in Germany and the Netherlands can be purchased in one Booklet. A Greece according to Petty officer Michael Perry at Souda Bay people on leave cannot Purchase tax free fuel in Greece. A Spain a Navy official in Rota said regulations governing the Sale of fuel coupons were being renegotiated with the Spanish government As this Story was being written. Is amps Marian Hamilton Auto travel has its drawbacks a such As this traffic Jam in Naples Italy