Registration requirement

Vehicle registration

Registering a vehicle in the national vehicle register with the name of the owner or holder.

First admission

The date on which a vehicle was first allowed on public roads. This may have occurred abroad if the vehicle was imported at a later date.

Maximum authorised mass

The maximum permitted weight of a vehicle, including load.

Most motor carriages are subject to a registration requirement. This means that as soon as a vehicle is registered, a registration number will be issued for the vehicle. The corresponding registration certificate will be issued to the owner of the vehicle, who is then responsible for that certificate.

The vehicle that is being driven must always comply with the relevant information recorded in the national vehicle register. In addition, the vehicle must be equipped with original and clearly visible number plates. Depending on the vehicle, there may be one or two number plates.

Number plates must not be covered or treated in any other way that reduces their legibility. The driver and the owner are responsible for all above matters.

Registration certificate

Once a vehicle has been registered, the owner will be issued a registration certificate. This registration certificate consists of a registration card, a registration certificate part ll, and proof of ownership.

The registration card contains details regarding the owner or holder:

• surname and first initials;
• address.

And the vehicle information:

• registration number;
• ‘meldcode’ (last 4 digits of VIN);
• date of first admission;
• date of registration in the Netherlands;
• date of ascription;
• vehicle identification number (VIN);
• vehicle manufacturer and model;
• vehicle colour;
• vehicle maximum weights;
• trailer maximum weights;
• technical information engine;
• weight in running order;
• seats.

In practice, as the owner, you receive only the registration card and the proof-of-ownership code. In some cases, you will not receive the proof-of-ownership code ‒ for example with lease cars. A registration certificate part ll is maintained by the RDW and only issued to the owner if they export the vehicle abroad permanently.

Registration certificate validity

A registration certificate generally remains valid until the vehicle changes owner (usually when it is sold). Even though the owner’s address is stated on the card, it does not have to be changed if you move. The RDW automatically receives your new address from the municipality and updates this information in the national vehicle register. It does not matter if a previous address is stated on a registration card.

A registration certificate may be invalidated if it no longer meets certain requirements. For example, the certificate must always be clearly legible.

Indemnity certificate

The document you receive when you sell your vehicle and it is no longer registered in your name in the vehicle registration register. This is proof that you are no longer responsible for this vehicle and it must therefore be kept in good order.

Registration certificate transfer

Once a passenger car is registered in your name, you are required to show the corresponding registration certificate if and when stopped and asked to do so by an authorised person. This may be a police officer, military police, or a tax or customs officer. You are only required to show the registration card (and your driving licence, if requested).

If you are in arrears on your taxes or have too many outstanding fines, for example, your vehicle may be seized during such a stop.

You will be unable to register another vehicle in your name while unpaid debts are flagged in the national vehicle register.

Exceptions to registration requirement

Not all motor carriages are required to have a registration number. For instance, motorised disability vehicles do not get a registration number, but must be equipped with an insurance plate or sticker.

Also, trailers with a maximum authorised mass of 750 kg (or less) do not have their own registration number, but must have a white number plate with the same registration number as the towing vehicle.

Number plate features

Each passenger car has a unique number plate consisting of letters and numbers or one letter and numbers. The layout of these numbers and letters may change if all possible combinations have been used for one layout.

Every number plate must bear an approval mark. You may only operate vehicles with approved number plates. In the event a number plate is lost, stolen, or severely damaged, you may not operate the vehicle until you obtain new plates. Replacement number plates are provided with a duplicate code. This is an extra number above the first dash on the number plate, which indicates how often the plates have been re-applied for.

Different number plates per category

Number plate motor vehicle
This plate has a blue section featuring the EU logo and country code. Depending on the vehicle, one or two number plates are issued. These plates come in two sizes.

Number plate heavy trailer
This plate is for trailers with a maximum authorised mass above 750 kg. One plate is issued per vehicle.

Number plate light trailer and load carrier
This plate is for trailers with a maximum authorised mass of up to 750 kg and for load carriers on the tow bar, such as bicycle carriers. This has the same registration number as the towing vehicle.

Number plate car dealership
This plate is used by car dealerships and is mounted over the normal number plate during test drives.

Number plate taxi
This plate is used by taxis.

Number plate moped, speed pedelec, and brommobiel
Depending on the vehicle, these plates come in two sizes: narrow or wide.

Number plate snorfiets
Depending on the type of snorfiets, these plates come in two sizes: narrow or wide.

Number plate special mopeds
This plate is used for segways, BSO buses and other types of special mopeds.

Letters per category

Each vehicle category except passenger cars has one or two initial letters:

• mopeds and snorfietsen with a D or F;
• trailers weighing more than 750 kg with a W;
• semi-trailers with an O;
• light commercial vehicles (up to 3,500 kg) with a V;
• heavy commercial vehicles (lorries) with a B;
• motorcycles with an M;
• border traffic with the combination GV;
• fast agricultural traffic T (towed vehicles and trailers L).