New registration certificate as of 1-1-2014

From January 1, 2014, there will be a new registration certificate in the Netherlands. The paper registration certificate (part IA, IB and part II) will then be replaced by a credit card-sized registration certificate (the registration card) and a registration code. With the advent of the new single-volume registration certificate, there will also be significant changes to the vehicle registration process and the registration of vehicles. The owner/holder of a vehicle does not have to do anything themselves to obtain a new credit card-sized registration certificate, but will receive it when purchasing a new or used vehicle. If you want to switch to the new registration certificate earlier, you can apply for a replacement registration certificate through the website of the National Road Administration (RDW). The owner/holder of the vehicle will then receive by mail the new registration card with the corresponding registration code. After receiving these documents, the paper copy can be destroyed, it is then no longer valid.

Within 5 years everyone will have a new license plate?

It is expected that within 5 years all paper registration certificates will be replaced by the new registration certificate. By the way, owners of vintage cars may keep the paper/linen document and will receive a registration card and code next to it, which they will need during formal actions.

The registration card and the registration code will apply to all registered vehicles starting in 2014. However, special license plates will retain the paper registration certificate. Vehicles of, for example, the Royal House, diplomats and Defense, as well as exceptional transport, border traffic, transit license plates, temporary license plates and dealer license plates will retain the paper version.

Registration code is going to be important with the new registration certificate

The current Transfer Certificate (Part II or Copy Part III) will be abolished and replaced by the 9-digit registration code. You will need this for such registration processes as transferring the vehicle to another owner's name, applying for or lifting a license plate suspension at the registration desk, and exporting or scrapping the vehicle.

The registration code is issued in 2 parts and can only be used once. Once the code has been used, the owner/holder will be issued a new code. Others than the owner/holder are not authorized to use the entire code.

The first 4 digits of the registration code the new owner/holder receives after the registration at the license plate counter or at an RDW approved institution. The RDW processes this ascription the same working day and then also sends the registration card and the second part of the registration code (5 digits), so that the owner/holder receives it the next delivery day. With a (costly) rush application, it is possible to receive the registration card and the second half of the registration code the same day.

Duty to show registration certificate?

Have you had the license plate transferred to your name (transfer) but have not yet received the registration card? Then you may drive without a license plate until 14 days after the transfer. When driving abroad, the obligation to show the card remains in force.

What is a license plate counter and where are they located?

The license plate counter is a place where individuals and companies can have their vehicles registered and/or apply for, extend or lift a suspension.
Currently, the license plate counters are the inspection stations of the RDW, the RDW counters in Veendam and Zoetermeer, and authorized branches of PostNL.
In time, there should be more license plate counters nationwide, and with the central issuance of the license plate by the RDW in 2014, other agencies may also be eligible to become RDW license plate counters. The RDW regulates the recognition of these counters.

In the future, there should also be a digital license plate counter. This would further simplify and speed up the transfer process. However, this will only be possible once it can be verified with certainty that the person wishing to transfer the vehicle is actually the owner/holder. Unfortunately, with the current DigiD, this cannot yet be sufficiently guaranteed.

How does the license plate process work?

First registration of a new car

The buyer identifies himself at the dealer with a valid identification document. The dealer then puts the vehicle's registration number in the buyer's name and provides him with a form (called the "registration report"). This registration report contains the registration number and the first half (4 digits) of the registration code. This registration code is needed when the vehicle is sold and should therefore be kept properly.

Once in possession of the registration report, the customer can take the purchased vehicle. At that time, there is no registration certificate. However, this does not pose a risk, as the police can see online in the vehicle registration register when the customer is stopped that the car has been transferred and is in the customer's name.

The ascription by the dealer will be processed by the RDW on the same day. The registration certificate (the registration card) will be created on the same working day and, together with the second half (5 digits) of the registration code, sent directly by mail to the customer, who will receive the documents on the next delivery day. With the receipt of these pieces, the customer has everything complete; the registration card and the full 9-digit registration code. It is important to keep the registration card and the registration code separate.

Front of new registration certificate

Back of new registration certificate

Changing owners

The owner of the vehicle hands the buyer the registration card and the registration code. With this, the buyer can go to a registration desk (findable via the RDW site) to have the car registered.

The new owner must identify himself at the registration desk and present the registration card and the registration code.
Once the license plate counter has approved and entered all the data, the registration card is cut in the presence of the new owner and the registration code expires.
The new owner then receives the first half of a new registration code as well as a release certificate intended for the previous owner (the selling party). Once the old owner is in possession of the indemnification certificate, the key transfer can take place. That same day, the registration is processed by the RDW and the new registration card and the second half of the new registration code are sent to the new owner of the vehicle, who receives the pieces the next delivery day. With the receipt of these pieces, the new owner now has everything complete; the registration card and the full 9-digit registration code. It is important to keep the registration card and the registration code separate.
The old owner has the indemnification certificate, is thus indemnified and no longer runs any risk regarding the sold car. However, it is important that the indemnification certificate is kept properly.

Suspending and de-suspending a license plate

If the car is not used for a longer period of time, for example due to a long stay abroad, the license plate can be suspended. This removes the obligations regarding the MOT, road tax and insurance (the insurance policy must still be suspended separately). Once the license plate is suspended, the car may no longer be on public roads, and it must be parked on private property (for example, in the driveway or garage) or stored in a garage.

Suspension and de-suspension of a license plate can easily be done online via the RDW site, by entering the license plate and personal DigiD code and making an electronic payment. Suspension and de-suspension can also be done at the license plate counter if desired.

Suspend online via the RDW site

The owner/holder of the vehicle can use DigiD to log in via Online Vehicle Suspension on the RDW website. Then the license plate number and the report code must be entered and until which date the license plate is to be suspended. After paying via iDEAL, the vehicle is immediately suspended and it is now also stated in the vehicle registration register that the vehicle has been suspended. Unlike before, no new documents are created. The customer should therefore keep the existing registration card carefully, as it will be valid again as soon as the vehicle goes/is taken out of suspension. The report containing the end date of the vehicle's suspension can be printed and should be kept. The registration code is not used for this operation and therefore remains valid.

Suspend through the license plate counter

At the registration desk, the registration certificate and the registration code must be handed over. The registration register will then show the date until which the vehicle has been suspended. Unlike before, no new documents are created. The customer should keep the existing vehicle registration card well, as it will be valid again once the vehicle goes/is taken out of suspension.

The owner/holder will receive a report from the registration desk containing the end date of the suspension of the vehicle, as well as the first 4 digits of the new registration code. The second part of the new registration code is sent by the RDW by letter to the owner/holder.

Extension of suspension

Extending the suspension is done in the same way as applying for the (first) suspension.

Termination of suspension (debarkation).

The suspension ends automatically at the end of the period specified by the owner/holder. The suspension is then also terminated in the vehicle registration register. The old vehicle registration card is automatically valid again after the end of the suspension period. If the suspension was applied for while the vehicle still had a paper license plate, then the owner/holder will receive a license plate card and registration code after the expiration of the suspension period. The paper document is then no longer valid.
If the owner/holder wishes to terminate the suspension before the specified de-suspension date, this can be done through the RDW website or through the registration desk. Through the RDW website, this can be done in the same way as suspending. At the license plate counter, the owner/holder uses the full registration code. He then receives a transaction report containing the date and time of the de-suspension and the first 4 digits of a new registration code. The RDW then sends the second part of the registration code by letter.
Once the vehicle is de-suspended, the car may be allowed back on the road with the existing registration card.

Importing a vehicle into the Netherlands

The buyer must take the vehicle to an RDW inspection station to verify and establish the vehicle's identity. Obligations imposed by Tax Authorities must also be met at that time. At inspection stations, the prospective owner/holder can have name, address and identification information recorded in advance while waiting for the vehicle to be assessed. If the application for the license plate is approved, the identification data can be used for the registration of the imported vehicle.

If all obligations are met, the RDW sends a new registration card to the registered owner/holder as well as the registration code and the registered data. The new owner/holder must then have their own license plates made at an authorized plate factory upon presentation of the license card.

When a vehicle has to be transported from abroad to the Netherlands, the vehicle needs a valid third-party insurance. This temporary car insurance can be taken out with us. You will then get a 15-day WA insurance from € 109,00.