Requesting a transition licence number
If you are transporting a car that is not registered in the Netherlands (that does not have a Dutch licence number) to a foreign country via the Netherlands, you will need a temporary licence number. This means that you need to request a transition license number (a transit registration plate).
Documents to bring with you
In addition to a valid proof of identity, you must bring the following documents:
| Vehicle previously registered in an EU/EFTA country | Vehicle previously registered outside the EU/EFTA | Vehicle not previously registered |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign registration certificate | Foreign registration certificate | Certificate of Correspondence (CoC) |
| Foreign periodic technical inspection (APK) report (if the vehicle is subject to periodic technical inspection) |
Plus, if the vehicle’s date of first registration was after December 1997:
|
Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (MDoC) or Individual Approval Certificate (IAC) |
- Make an inspection appointment at an RDW inspection station by pressing the 'Make an inspection appointment' button (only available in Dutch). You log in with DigiD or eHerkenning . If you are driving to the inspection, request a one-day license number at the same time. If you do not live in the Netherlands, please provide a Dutch address – for example, the address of the company that is arranging transportation from the Netherlands for you.
- Bring valid proof of identification with you and the documents required for your vehicle (See ‘What you need to know first’).
- Pay the fee.
- We will then review the documents. If the vehicle does not have a valid periodic technical inspection report from another EU country , we will also check the vehicle for a number of technical requirements (only if vehicle is subject to periodic technical inspection).
- If your vehicle is approved before 12:00 AM, we will send you the license registration certificate on the same day. If your vehicle is approved after 12:00 AM, we will send you the license registration certificate the next day. You can also arrange with the inspection station to pick up the registration certificate.
- Have registration plates made by an RDW-approved registration plate manufacturer. Bring the transit vehicle license registration certificate with you for this purpose. You can find an approved registration plate manufacturer using the RDW location guide (only available in Dutch).
You will pay more for a heavy vehicle (over 3500 kg). If you do not have a foreign periodic technical inspection report, you will also have to pay for a periodic technical inspection (APK). Note: You will pay 21% VAT on the cost of the periodic technical inspection.
The fees are:
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| Approval assessment for 10-14 aspects of a light vehicle | €102,50 |
| Transit registration | €24,70 |
| Identification of a heavy vehicle | €112,00 |
| Identification of a light vehicle | €56,50 |
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| Periodic technical inspection (heavy vehicle) | €148,00 |
| Periodic technical inspection (light vehicle) | €77,50 |
The transit license number consists of a combination of numbers and letters, as shown on this registration certificate.
If you have a vehicle without a Dutch registration number inspected by us, you can transport it by car ambulance to the inspection station. Would you rather drive the vehicle to us yourself? Then you need a one-day registration certificate. You can apply for this registration certificate (free of charge) using DigiD or eHerkenning.
Conditions for a one-day registration plate
- You can only apply for a one-day registration plate if you make an inspection appointment at the same time.
- Only valid on the day of inspection.
- Only valid in the Netherlands.
It works like this
- You made an inspection appointment.
- You log in with your DigiD or eHerkenning by clicking the button 'Apply for a one-day registration certificate'. (only available in Dutch)
- After you entered the requested information, you will receive a confirmation of the application by e-mail. This e-mail has a link to your one-day registration certificate and provides additional information.
- The registration number must be put on registration number plates on your vehicle. You are allowed to make these white registration number plates yourself (from cardboard, for example). You put the registration number on these plates with a black marker that cannot be erased. The registration number plates must be legible in bad weather.
- On the day of the inspection, you are allowed to drive with the one-day registration number from the Dutch address where the vehicle is located to the inspection station and back.
- Your vehicle must be insured in the Netherlands on the day of the inspection and must be safe to drive.
- You must have a printout of the one-day registration certificate with you when you drive on a public road.
- You can use the RDW vehicle app as an extra. Go to ‘Eendagskentekenbewijs (One-day registration certificate) on the RDW vehicle app’ how this works (only available in Dutch).
Not online
Are you unable to apply for the one-day registration certificate online? You can also apply for it by contacting our Customer service.
Private individual
As a private individual, you must use one of the following valid documents to provide proof of your identity:
- Dutch driving licence showing your date of birth
- Dutch passport showing your citizen service number (BSN)
- Dutch identity card showing your citizen service number (BSN)
- Identity card or driving licence issued by an EU or EFTA country showing your date of birth
- Diplomatic passport
- Dutch travel document for foreign nationals
- Dutch travel document for refugees
- Service passport
- Foreign passport
Please note: you cannot use a residence permit or residence document to have a vehicle registered in your name.
No Dutch citizen service number (BSN) on your identity document?
If your Dutch citizen service number (BSN) is not shown on your identity document, you should also bring an extract from the municipal Personal Records Database (BRP). The extract can be obtained from your municipality and must be no more than 3 months old. Do request an extract that shows your citizen service number (BSN), as municipalities do not issue these automatically.
If you have a diplomatic passport, you may also submit a declaration from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (no more than 3 months old) showing your citizen service number (BSN).
Company
As the authorised signatory of a company, you must use one of following valid documents to prove your identity:
- Dutch driving licence or Dutch passport showing your citizen service number (BSN)
- Dutch identity card of the authorised signatory showing your citizen service number (BSN)
- Identity card or driving licence issued by an EU or EFTA country showing your date of birth
- Diplomatic passport
- Dutch travel document for foreign nationals
- Dutch travel document for refugees
- Service passport Foreign passport
Please note: you cannot use a residence permit or residence document to have a vehicle registered in your name.
Extract from the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce
In addition to your proof of identity, you must also provide an extract from the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce register (or a copy). The extract may not be older than 1 year and is not allowed to be obtained from the internet. The extract must show the name of the authorised signatory.
Sole tradership, partnership or shipping company
If your company is a sole proprietorship, partnership or shipping company, you cannot have the vehicle registered in the name of the company itself. You can only have it registered in your own name. In this case, you should identify yourself as a private individual.