Everything you need to know about Humvee vehicles

Jason Keller

Over at GovPlanet they get a lot of questions about HMMWVs, better known as Humvees. It’s not hard to see why. There’s something about a Humvee that makes you stop and stare. They are seriously intimidating vehicles, which is probably why the military uses them for driving through hostile territory.

We’ve compiled some common questions in case you’re looking to buy one of these bad boys.  

What is a Humvee?

The AM General HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle), commonly referred to as a Humvee, was introduced to the Military in the 1980’s and soon became popular as a military tactical vehicle. The Humvee was used heavily in the Gulf War of 1991, where it navigated the treacherous desert terrain, as well as the more recent Iraq war.  

Can a civilian own a Humvee?

Civilians are allowed to own Humvees and can be purchased used from military surplus auction company, GovPlanet. However, Humvees are not road ready until you meet state’s vehicle inspection requirements and receive a state title and registration from your local DMV or State titling authority. However, some Humvees are sold on consignment, where the previous owner may already received proper titling and registration. Please ensure that you contact your state titling/registration authority for your individual state’s requirements.

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Are Humvees still made?

The Humvee is still being produced by AM General for the United States military. Although the military replaced many Humvees with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), Humvees are still expected to be in use by the military until 2050. 

How much does a Humvee cost?

The cost of a used Humvee can vary. Since our Humvees are sold in a weekly online GovPlanet auctions, the opening price is determined by size, model and milage. The auctions for used Humvees can begin as low as $1,000 and average around $40,000 when sold.   

What replaced the Humvee in the US Army?

The United States military replaced the Humvee with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or better known as JLTVs. According to the U.S. military, JLTVs provide “increased force protection, survivability, and improved capacity” compared to Humvees.   

Are Humvees bulletproof?

Humvees are not bulletproof. They are mostly made from hardened steel and bullet-resistant glass. When Humvees proved vulnerable to IEDs during the Iraq war, extra amour was added to Humvees to increase protection.

Are Hummers and Humvees the same thing?

No. Hummers are a street legal version of the HMMWV, which is also known as the Humvee. Hummer models were discontinued by AM General in 2010, but later resurrected by General Motors as a sub-brand. The 2022 Hummer is an electric vehicle.

How do I buy a Humvee?

You can buy Humvees from used military surplus site GovPlanet. Simply register a free account and place your bid on a Humvee in a weekly online auction. An EUC (End User Certificate) is required for all surplus military assets with demilitarization, including all tactical vehicles like Humvees, with the exception of Private Seller Consignments. For more information on the EUC process, visit the frequently asked questions at GovPlanet.   

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Check out thousands of items available for sale to the public at regular weekly online auctions on GovPlanet.

See also

A farmer’s checklist for preparing equipment for resale