Importing a vehicle from a European country

We do not provide issue registration numbers

We do not issue registration numbers for driving to the Netherlands from abroad. Ask about the possibilities in the relevant foreign country. You can also transport the vehicle on a trailer or car transporter.

We collect foreign vehicle registration certificates

Are you driving the vehicle to us with foreign number plates and a valid foreign registration certificate? Please note that we will collect the foreign registration certificate.

One-day registration

After visiting us, you are no longer permitted to drive the vehicle on public roads. Request a free one-day registration number from us. Once you have received the Dutch registration certificate, you may use the vehicle (again).

Ensure valid PTI certificate

Do you have a vehicle that is subject to a PTI obligation and does not have a valid foreign inspection certificate? And you haven't had your PTI inspection carried out by us either? Immediately after receiving the vehicle registration certificate, have the PTI inspection carried out by a garage in your area. If you do this later, you will be fined. See fine amount.

During the inspection, we do not assess the technical condition of the vehicle. If the vehicle is damaged, or we consider it to be a hazard to road safety or the environment, the following import procedure applies:

• The vehicle will be issued a registration number, but a so-called prohibition on road use will be registered against it immediately.
• We take a photograph of the vehicle and record the condition in which it was imported into the Netherlands.
• You are no longer permitted to drive the vehicle on public roads. The vehicle must be driven via the shortest route from the inspection station to your home address.
• After repairs, you must have the vehicle re-inspected. See Inspection after driving prohibition (only available in Dutch).

Has the vehicle been exported to another EU or EFTA country in the past but never registered in that country? Please make an appointment for re-import. This works as follows:

1. Make an inspection appointment and select 'Re-import or inspection after expiry of registration'.
2. Please bring the vehicle registration certificate with you, if any.
3. After importation into the Netherlands, the vehicle will be given the same registration number. You will have to get new number plates.

Exception
We do not transfer registrations for agricultural vehicles, towed equipment or mobile equipment. We must thoroughly inspect the vehicle (individual approval). See importing an agricultural vehicle (only available in Dutch) or importing mobile equipment (only available in Dutch) to make an appointment.

Duplicate code after re-import

Were the number plates not returned to us when the vehicle was exported in the past? A duplicate code will be applied automatically. This is to prevent fraud. Details about the duplicate code (only available in Dutch).

Recycling fee for cars or light commercial vehicles

A recycling fee applies when importing a passenger car or light commercial vehicle weighing 3,500 kilograms or less. This also applies if the vehicle has had a Dutch registration number in the past. We forward this amount to Autorecycling Nederland.

Modified vehicle

Has your vehicle been modified? You will find the fees at Inspection following conversion or self-build.

Year of manufacture before 1978

Are you importing a vehicle manufactured before 1 January 1978? We will need more time to check the registration. We often cannot simply transfer the foreign data for these vehicles. For that reason, extra costs should be anticipated.

If you have a vehicle registered in your (company) name, this entails a number of obligations for most vehicles. These obligations are:

Third-party liability insurance (WA)

Vehicles subject to compulsory insurance must be covered by third-party liability insurance (WA) from the moment they are registered in your name (in accordance with the Dutch Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Act (WAM)). You can purchase third-party liability insurance from most Dutch insurance companies. You will need a so-called reporting code. This code consists of the last 4 digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN) and can also be found on the vehicle registration card.

PTI

A vehicle subject to the PTI obligation must be PTI approved (Periodic Technical Inspection). More on PTI.

Motor vehicle tax

Are you registering a vehicle that is subject to motor vehicle tax in your name? This also serves as your declaration for motor vehicle tax (MRB). The Tax and Customs Administration will automatically send you a bill for this tax. More information about motor vehicle tax.

Do you have a classic car? You may not have to pay any motor vehicle tax, or you may have to pay less. The classic car must remain insured and have a valid PTI certificate. More information about the classic car scheme.

Here you can find out which vehicles must be insured and require an PTI certificate.

More about vehicle types.

Suspension of obligations

You may temporarily suspend the obligations associated with owning a vehicle. You can do this by suspending the vehicle. The vehicle may no longer be parked or driven on public roads.

Fines after verification of details

We check the insurance register and the inspection register daily. This allows us to immediately see whether a vehicle is insured and has passed its PTI inspection. We check every vehicle to which these obligations apply at least once a year in both registers (100 percent check). We do this on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Security.

Is your vehicle not insured? You will receive a fine from the Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB).
If your vehicle has not passed its mandatory PTI inspection, you will receive a fine from the CJIB.

The Tax and Customs Administration determines whether you have an obligation to pay motor vehicle tax for your vehicle by checking the vehicle registration database. If you fail to pay (on time), you will receive a fine from the Tax and Customs Administration.

Fine amount

You can find the fine amount (only available in Dutch) here.