Driving a moped without a licence plate: is that allowed?
To get right to the point: no, you cannot ride a moped without a license plate. A vehicle without a license plate may not be driven on public roads. Of course, you may lose your license plate or it may be stolen. In that case, you should apply for a new license plate as soon as possible. Until then, you are not allowed to ride the moped. If you lose the license plate or it is stolen, or if you buy an older moped without a license plate, you should make sure you apply for a license plate yourself.
Driving a moped without a licence plate is prohibited
Do you have a moped without a license plate and decide to go on the road anyway? Then you are punishable, because riding around on a moped without a license plate is prohibited. Nowadays, all mopeds have a license plate by default. If you buy an older moped from before 2007, chances are the moped does not have a license plate. This is because the license plate requirement for mopeds was only introduced in 2007. In that case, you have to apply for a license plate yourself before you can ride the moped.
What are the risks of driving without a licence plate?
Driving around on a moped without a license plate puts you at risk of a fine. Even if your license plate is stolen or you have lost it, you will be fined. Driving around without license plates is simply not allowed. If you are caught, you will be fined €140. Even if the license plate is damaged or difficult to read, you risk a fine of €90.
Moreover, without a license plate, you cannot get moped insurance. You are required to have at least third-party insurance for your moped. Even if you drive around on an uninsured moped, you risk a fine. The fine is much higher: €450.
How can I apply for a licence plate?
Of course, if at all possible, you would prefer to avoid a fine. Therefore, it is wise to apply for a license plate immediately if your moped does not already have one. You can apply for the license plate through the RDW. Before you get a license plate, your moped must first be inspected by the RDW. During the inspection they check the technical condition and whether the moped complies with the rules for driving on public roads. You can make an appointment at 'Make an inspection appointment'.
Without a license plate you are not allowed to ride your moped, but of course you have to drive your moped to the inspection site. Therefore you can apply for a one-day registration plate. You can apply for a one-day registration plate here. After the inspection the RDW will send you a license plate within 5 working days. One working day later they will send you a letter with the registration code. Once you have received all documents, all vehicle obligations apply from that moment. You need to make sure you have a license plate and that your vehicle is insured. You can buy a license plate from a manufacturer approved by the RDW. Each manufacturer may set its own price for a license plate, which is why prices may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
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