RDW Fine for Lack of Insurance
Is your vehicle uninsured? You risk a €500 fine from the RDW. The RDW strictly enforces this rule. In most cases, you’ll first receive a warning from the RDW for driving without insurance. You may also receive a €700 fine from the police.
Get auto insuranceWhy You Might Receive Fines from the RDW
Did you buy a new car? As soon as a license plate is registered in your name, you are responsible for paying motor vehicle tax, car insurance, andthe Annual Vehicle Inspection (APK). This applies even if you don’t use the vehicle or keep it on your own property. Without insurance, you risk heavy fines from the RDW and the police for driving without insurance.
The RDW (National Road Traffic Authority) oversees the mandatory insurance requirement for vehicles in the Netherlands. The RDW maintains the vehicle registration database and cross-checks it against the insurers’ database: the Central Register for Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance (CRWAM). If there is no active insurance policy linked to your vehicle, this is automatically detected.
Take action right away
Have you received a warning or a fine from the RDW? Pay the fine on time, purchase auto insurance, or file an appeal if you believe it was issued in error. This will prevent the situation from getting out of hand and help you avoid even bigger problems.
Fine for Driving Without Insurance in 2025
In 2025, the RDW’s standard fine for an uninsured vehicle will be €500. This fine applies to passenger cars, recreational vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, agricultural vehicles, and mobile machinery. The fine for an uninsured moped, motorized bicycle, or scooter is €460.
So make sure all your vehicles are insured. You will receive the fine for driving without insurance from the Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB).
Difference Between RDW and Police Fines
In addition to the fine from the RDW, you can also receive a fine from the police for driving without insurance. While the RDW only enforces administrative penalties, the police take action in cases of actual traffic violations. You’ll receive such a fine if you’re actually caught driving without at least third-party liability insurance—for example, during a traffic stop.
The traffic fine imposed by the police for driving an uninsured vehicle is €700. This is a criminal offense that may result in more severe consequences: a higher fine, a criminal record, or even the impoundment of the vehicle.
First a warning, then a fine
Did you fail to insure the vehicle within 28 days of registration? If so, you will receive a warning letter from the RDW. This letter states that the vehicle registered in your name is not insured.
After receiving the warning letter, you will have time to insure the vehicle, or your insurance company can still register the license plate with the RDW.
Second Letter
After the first letter, you will receive a second letter. In this letter, the RDW requests an Article 34 WAM declaration. If you did not have valid insurance on the RDW’s reference date, the RDW may impose a fine.
Are you insured? Request an Article 34 statement
Is your car insured, but you still received a fine? If so, contact your insurer or insurance agent as soon as possible. If you are insured, they can check whether something went wrong when the vehicle was registered with the RDW.
In that case, you can request a Section 34 WAM statement from the insurance company. This statement confirms that you were insured as of the relevant reference date. You can use it to prove that you have complied with the insurance requirement.
If you still haven't insured the vehicle or insured it too late, the insurance company may not be able to help you in all cases. For example, if you haven't taken out any insurance at all, the insurer won't be able to do anything for you.
Please contact the RDW
If you receive a fine for driving without insurance but are convinced that your vehicle was insured and you want to contest the fine, contact your insurer and the RDW immediately to discuss the situation.
Gather all relevant information, such as policy numbers, proof of payment, and correspondence with your insurer. If it turns out that the fine was imposed in error, it can be rescinded.
Suspending a license plate
Are you not using a vehicle (temporarily)? Or are you selling, scrapping, or exporting the car? If so, you can have the license plate suspended with the RDW. If your vehicle is suspended, you are exempt from the requirement to have liability insurance, from paying road tax, and from the APK inspection.
This will prevent you from receiving a fine from the RDW for driving without insurance. During the suspension period, you are not allowed to drive the vehicle on public roads.
Please note: If the registration expires and you have not renewed it, you are once again required to insure the vehicle to avoid fines.
No warning letter from the RDW in the event of suspension
If you cancel or suspend your vehicle insurance, you will not receive a warning letter from the RDW. They will only carry out the inspection. In these situations, you will immediately receive a letter stating that you must submit an Article 34 WAM declaration. Otherwise, you may be fined.
Certificate of Indemnity
When buying or selling a vehicle, it is very important to make sure that your vehicle(s) is (are) insured. You are only exempt from the insurance requirement if you have a certificate of release or a certificate of suspension. This certificate proves that you are no longer liable for the vehicle.
According to the RDW, it is common for people to sell a vehicle but fail to transfer the registration. They then register the new vehicle with their insurance company but forget that they are still liable for the old vehicle until the registration has been transferred.
The Consequences of a Fine for Driving Without Insurance
Driving without insurance is a criminal offense. If you fail to pay a fine that has been imposed, the consequences can quickly become more serious. The fine may be increased, and you may eventually receive a summons and be brought before a criminal court. This could result in you having a criminal record.
A criminal record can have consequences for things like your job, a mortgage, or applying for a visa. Insurance companies may also view you as a risk. Taking out a new insurance policy may become more difficult or more expensive if you have a criminal record.
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Frequently Asked Questions About an RDW Fine
What happens if you don't have car insurance?
You may then receive a fine from the RDW for driving without insurance. The RDW conducts digital checks and takes immediate action as soon as it becomes apparent that your vehicle is uninsured.
The insurance also won't pay out if you're involved in an accident.
Can you appeal a fine?
Yes, please contact your insurer and the RDW as soon as possible. With an Article 34 WAM statement, you can prove that you were insured on a specific date or during a specific period.
Is car insurance required even if you don't use the car?
Yes, as long as your vehicle hasn't been officially de-registered with the RDW, it must remain insured—even if it's sitting in the garage or on private property.
What if your insurance has just expired?
You could still be fined in that case. The RDW tracks daily records, so even a single day without insurance can result in a fine for driving an uninsured vehicle.
Who is responsible for insurance after a vehicle is sold?
Until the vehicle has been officially transferred and you have received a certificate of transfer, you remain responsible for insurance, taxes, and any fines.
How can you avoid an RDW fine?
Prevention is better than cure. So always make sure you have valid auto insurance for your car, motorcycle, or other vehicle. Pay your premium on time and make sure your insurance isn’t accidentally canceled.
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