Because of fear of attacks on American personnel in Germany, US forces plates were completely redesigned from the previous American style. They used German plate sizes and dies. However, the blue band at the left showed the NATO symbol and the letters USA, and a special authority sticker resembling those on German plates was designed. The previously rectangular validation sticker resembled the German inspection sticker and was moved from the windshield to the plate. The plates had code letters not used in the German system to avoid confusion. There were two styles: If possible long one line plates were issued. American specifications cars received two line tractor size plates, which are slightly smaller than standard American plates.

In December 2005, is was decided that these plates were still not inconspicious enough. At that time an agreement was reached with the German government that US forces private vehicles receive normal German civilian plates, while still paying no German taxes. The plates shown here were phased out until November 2007.

Note the seal covering the left bolt hole. This is to prevent the plate from being moved to another car, because it has to be destroyed in order to reach the bolt. In this case, however, additional holes were drilled into the plate so that it could be mounted onto an American car. That way the seal remained intact.