POV allowances are discretionary (JTR 053001-B). This means that a PCS order must indicate that a specific allowance is authorized. POV shipping and storage allowances, which are incorrectly stated on a PCS order, does NOT authorize an entitlement. The primary intent of POV shipment is to allow a member’s primary means of transportation to be used at the PDS.
CONUS POV SHIPMENT
There are two circumstances when a POV may be transported within the CONUS:
The first circumstance occurs when an order has been received for a PCS between CONUS permanent duty stations (PDSs) and the Service member is physically unable to drive (JTR 052901-A2). The local MPF authorizes/approves POV shipment when a member is physically unable to drive. It is the member’s responsibility to provide medical documentation to the MPF so that the allowance is annotated in the PCS order (AFI24-602V4, Paragraph 7.1). This allowance does not apply to a dependent who cannot physically drive or ride in a POV for prolonged periods.
The second eligible circumstance is when a PCS order has been received and does not allow sufficient time to drive and report to the PDS as ordered. For example, if an order is received and the RNLTD is within 3 days, then this may be insufficient time for the member to drive to his/her PDS safely. The MPF authorizes/approves POV shipment when a member has insufficient time to arrive at his/her PDS.
A Service member with dependents, who are relocating due to PCS orders in CONUS, may be authorized to transport a privately owned vehicle (JTR 052902). There is no authority for a Shipping Office to arrange for shipment of a POV within the CONUS. Arrangement and reimbursement for personally procuring transportation for a POV is between the MPF, Finance and the member.
OCONUS POV SHIPMENT
A Service member with an OCONUS PDS order is authorized to ship ONE (1) POV unless restricted by the authorizing official (AO) or Service regulations (JTR 053001-A).
It is always highly encouraged, upon receipt of an OCONUS PCS order, that you receive counseling from the shipping office. During counseling, you will receive host country guidance from the Personal Property Consignment Instruction Guide (PPCIG). This information verifies if a Service member is eligible to transport a POV and additional information regarding restrictions on POV types and sizes. Factors such as rank or branch of service also determine eligibility for POV shipment. You will also receive information regarding vehicle cleanliness, fuel, keys, unacceptable items, safety requirements and drop off locations. A copy of the Defense Travel Regulation, Attachment 3, Shipping Your POV should also be provided. This reference material details all the information discussed during counseling such as liability information, insurance, member responsibilities, Vehicle Processing Center responsibilities and locations. A copy of Shipping Your POV, Attachment 3 is located at https://www.ustranscom.mil/dtr/part-iv/dtr_part_iv_app_k_3.pdf.
WHERE DO I TAKE MY POV?
As you near your departure date, you will need to turn in your vehicle to a VPC. Always allow additional time should any issues arise, while turning in your vehicle. There are numerous VPC locations available throughout the United States and OCONUS for turn-in of your vehicle. An appointment will need to be scheduled to turn your POV into a VPC. Visit www.pcsmypov.com to schedule an appointment and to verify if your POV has any current safety recalls. You will not be permitted to ship your POV with unresolved safety recalls. Be prepared and comply with all the guidance prior to arriving at the VPC to ensure your POV is shipment ready.
POV SIZE IS IMPORTANT
When POV transportation is authorized, one POV not to exceed (NTE) 20 measurement tons may be transported (JTR 053001-B3.a). Vehicles that exceed 20 measurement tons (MT) are considered oversized or “out of gauge.” If your POV exceeds the weight limit, a signed agreement is required to pay the excess transportation cost (JTR 053001-B2.a). Vehicle dimensions can be calculated by using the formula below:
L x W x H = MT
40
EXAMPLE: (L) 17' x (W) 8' x (H) 5.75' = 782 cubic feet/40 = 19.55 MT)
Size restriction does not apply for members who are authorized shipment of an oversized POV for medical reasons. Members must send requests for oversized POVs through the Installation Surgeon General and MPS. Additionally, authorization for oversized vehicle under these circumstances must be annotated on member’s order (AFI 24-602V4, para 7.6.4).
MY ASSIGNMENT IS CANCELLED. WHAT NEXT?
If you have shipped your POV and your assignment is later cancelled or your order amended, modified or revoked, you may have your POV reshipped at Government expense to the proper destination to include returning your POV to the former PDS.
CAN I PAY TO HAVE MY POV SHIPPED AND BE REIMBURSED?
No. Reimbursement for personally procuring transportation of your POV is not authorized unless the POV was shipped based upon erroneous advice of a Government representative who is responsible to provide POV shipment counseling such as a Transportation Officer (JTR 053001-B1, Table 5-64, Rule 2.b.).
POV STORAGE
A Service member who is authorized POV transportation is not authorized POV storage. The intent of POV storage is to provide storage for the member’s primary means of transportation. It is not an automatic allowance to store vintage, historic, classic, restored, collector or customized vehicles (AFI 24-602 V4, 7.12.2.3). Cost equalization is not a factor when determining allowances.
CAN I STORE MY POV?
Storage for one POV may be authorized if a Service member is:
• Ordered to a foreign or non-foreign PDS OCONUS where POV transportation is not permitted due to the country, area, U.S. laws, regulations, other restrictions, or the extensive modification of the POV required as a condition of entry
• Sent on a TDY in support of a contingency operation for more than 30 days
• Sent on a TDY in support of humanitarian assistance or other emergency operations as declared by an Executive Order or by the administering Secretary. In this circumstance, POV storage must be authorized through the Secretarial Process
• Authorized a POV due to a unit PCS and the unit is deployed 31 days or more en-route
WHERE DO I TAKE MY POV FOR STORAGE?
As you near your departure date, you will need to turn in your vehicle to a VPC. You should always allow additional time should any issues arise while turning in your vehicle. There are numerous VPC locations available throughout the United States and OCONUS for you to turn your vehicle for storage. You will need to schedule an appointment to turn your POV in to a VPC. Visit www.pcsmypov.com to schedule your appointment and also verify if your POV has any current safety recalls. Be prepared and heed all the guidance prior to arriving at the VPC to ensure that your POV is shipment ready.
CAN I STORE MY OWN POV?
You may arrange for POV storage at a commercial storage facility other than the VPC. Storage in a private residence, garage, yard, private lot does not constitute a commercial facility (JTR 0532-B3b). A commercial facility is defined by the JTR as any commercial fee-for-service facility, open to the public for long-term storage of household goods or privately owned vehicles (JTR Appendix A). Reimbursement is based upon the actual storage cost and limited to what it would have cost the Government to store your POV (JTR 0532-B3a). If you elect to personally procure storage of your vehicle in the CONUS while you are OCONUS, transportation of that vehicle, at Government expense, from the procured storage location to the new CONUS PDS is not authorized. (JTR 0529-B1e).