About the registration certificate
Your car comes with a registration certificate. Here you will find information on the vehicle registration certificate such as: the different types that have existed over the years, the registration code, the details on the vehicle registration certificate and the authenticity marks.
Agricultural vehicles and mobile machinery have only had a registration number and registration certificate since 2021. These vehicles therefore do not have all the registration certificates described here.
The vehicle registration certificate since 1 January 2014
Since 1 January 2014, the vehicle registration certificate consists of:
- Vehicle registration card (credit card-sized vehicle registration certificate)
- Registration code:
The part of the registration number that you must keep at home. The registration code consists of 9 digits. You will receive the first 4 digits when you buy a vehicle and the last 5 digits when you receive the registration card.
The vehicle registration certificate since 11 June 2024
Since 11 June 2024, the vehicle registration card (registration certificate) has a new look. For passenger cars, the registration card looks like this:
The reverse side of the vehicle registration card may differ depending on the vehicle category. For example, it looks different for a moped than it does for a car.
Registration documents between 1 June 2004 and 1 January 2014
Until 1 January 2014, the vehicle registration certificate was made of paper.
- Vehicle Certificate - Part IA: the part containing the vehicle details
- Certificate of Registered Ownership - Part IB: the part containing the registration details
- Transfer Certificate - Part II: the part required for transferring the vehicle registration certificate, which you must keep at home.
Registration documents before 1 June 2004
- Vehicle Certificate - Part I: the part containing the vehicle details
- Certificate of Registered Ownership - Part II: the part containing the registration details
- Transfer Certificate (or if the registration number was issued before 01-01-1995: Copy Part 3): the part required for transferring the vehicle registration certificate, which you must keep at home.
Examples of older vehicle registration certificates
Would you like to see what the various vehicle registration certificates looked like over the years? Please refer to these examples of Vehicle Registration Certificates between 1975 and 2014.
The credit card-sized vehicle registration certificate (from 2014 onwards) has a unique code: the registration code. This code consists of 9 digits. You will receive the first part of the code when you purchase a vehicle. The second part is included with the vehicle registration card that we will send you. You combine the two parts of the code yourself.
You will need the code if you wish to sell, trade in, suspend, scrap or export your vehicle. Keep the registration code in a safe place. Have you lost the code? Request a new registration code here.
First time
When registering a vehicle for the first time (i.e. if the vehicle is new), you will receive the complete registration code in a separate envelope, rather than in two parts. We will send these one day after the registration certificate.
Lease vehicles
You will not receive an ascription code if your vehicle is owned by a lease or finance company. The leasing or finance company receives the registration code.
When driving on the road, you must carry your vehicle registration card with you. The police may ask for it. If you still have a paper registration certificate, you must carry the Vehicle Certificate (part IA or the former part I) and the Registration Certificate (part IB or the former part II) with you.
Registration card since June 11, 2024
The following information is stated on the registration card of a passenger car since 11 June 2024:
*If your registration card has a hyphen instead of a certain piece of information, we do not have the relevant details.
Vehicle registration certificate in vehicle app
You can also find the information on the vehicle registration certificate in our RDW vehicle app (Android). Find out what it looks like (only available in Dutch).
| Code | Attribute | Mandatory/optional ** | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Registration number | Mandatory | Front |
| B | Date of first authorisation for use on the public road | Mandatory | Front |
| C1.1 | Name of the holder | Mandatory | Front |
| C1.2 | Initial(s) | Mandatory | Front |
| C1.3 | Address of the holder | Mandatory | Front |
| C.4 | Indication of ownership | Mandatory | Front |
| D.1 | Make | Mandatory | Back |
| D.2 | Type | Mandatory | Back |
| D.2 | Variant |
Mandatory if available | Back |
| D.2 | Version | Mandatory if available | Back |
| D.3 | Commercial name | Mandatory | Back |
| E | VIN (vehicle identification number) | Mandatory | Back |
| F1 | Technical maximum mass (not for motorcycles) | Mandatory | Back |
| F2 | Maximum authorised mass of the vehicle | Optional | Back |
| G | Mass in running order | Mandatory | Back |
| H | Period of validity | Mandatory if not unlimited | Back |
| I | Date of ascription | Mandatory | Front |
| J | Vehicle category | Optional | Back |
| K | Type approval number | Mandatory | Back |
| O.1 | Max. braked tow weight trailer | Optional | Back |
| O.2 | Max. unbraked tow weight trailer | Optional | Back |
| P.1 | Cylinder capacity | Mandatory | Back |
| P.2 | Power | Mandatory | Back |
| P.3 | Fuel | Mandatory | Back |
| R | Colour | Optional | Back |
| S.1 | Seats | Mandatory | Back |
| T | Maximum speed (in km/h) | Optional | Back |
| V.9 | Environmental category EC type-approval | Optional | Back |
| V.9 | Environmental category EC | Optional | Back |
| Reporting code | Front | ||
| - | Date of first registration in the Netherlands | Back |
** European regulations on vehicle registration certificates specify which information must be included on the registration certificate. In addition, each country may add details as it sees fit.
Seeing details of other vehicles
This is where you will learn what information about other vehicles is included on the registration certificate. Such as motorcycles or agricultural vehicles.
Registration card until June 11, 2024
The following information is stated on the registration card of a passenger car with a registration card from before 11 June 2024:
*If your registration card has a hyphen instead of a certain piece of information, we do not have the relevant details.
| Code | Attribute | Mandatory/optional | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Registration number | Mandatory | Front |
| B | Date of first authorisation for use on the public road | Mandatory | Front |
| C1.1 | Name of the holder | Mandatory | Front |
| C1.2 | Initial(s) | Mandatory | Front |
| C1.3 | Address of the holder | Mandatory | Front |
| C.4 | Indication of ownership | Mandatory | Front |
| D1 | Make | Mandatory | Back |
| D2 | Type, manufacturer, style and version | Mandatory | Back |
| D3 | Commercial name | Mandatory | Back |
| E | VIN (vehicle identification number) | Mandatory | Back |
| F1 | Technical maximum mass (not for motorcycles) | Mandatory | Back |
| F2 | Maximum authorised mass of the vehicle | Optional | Back |
| G | Mass in running order | Mandatory | Back |
| I | Date of ascription | Mandatory | Front |
| J | Vehicle category | Optional | Back |
| K | Type approval number | Mandatory | Back |
| O.1 | Max. braked tow weight trailer | Optional | Back |
| O.2 | Max. unbraked tow weight trailer | Optional | Back |
| P.1 | Cylinder capacity | Mandatory | Back |
| P.2 | Power | Mandatory | Back |
| P.3 | Fuel | Mandatory | Back |
| R | Colour | Optional | Back |
| S.1 | Seats | Mandatory | Back |
| Reporting code | Front | ||
| - | Date of first registration in the Netherlands | Back |
Different weight on paper registration certificate
The vehicle registration card shows a different weight than the paper vehicle registration certificate. The vehicle registration card states 'running order mass' and not 'unladen weight'. The running order weight is the weight of the vehicle in running order (and unladen), including coolant, lubricants, fuel (90% full), spare wheel if fitted by the manufacturer, any tools and the driver.
No impact on the motor vehicle tax
Motor vehicle tax (road tax) is still calculated based on the unladen (empty) weight of a vehicle. Is the weight entered in the 'Running order mass' section on your vehicle registration card? Subtract 100 kg to determine the weight class. You can check the unladen weight of a vehicle using the RDW registration number check. You can check the motor vehicle tax by entering this weight on the site of the Tax and Customs Administration.
If you are driving with a trailer or caravan, it is important to know the maximum weight your vehicle is permitted to tow. This will help you avoid fines and problems with the vehicle.
The towing information on the vehicle registration certificate
For passenger cars, the towing capacity is stated on the registration card or on the paper registration certificate. This also applies to light commercial vehicles (N1) since 11 June 2024. Previously, the towing data for light commercial vehicles was listed on the so-called Certificate of Conformity. We no longer issue those certificates. For heavy commercial vehicles (3,500 kg and above), the towing data is still listed on the Certificate of Conformity.
Replacement certificate of conformity
Was a light commercial vehicle registered before 11 June 2024? And were you issued with a certificate of conformity at that time? If so, you can still apply for a replacement certificate.
Use the RDW registration number check to check your vehicle details online. The towing data can be found under the Overview > Weights tab.
Towing capacity on vehicle registration card
The vehicle registration card lists the towing capacity of passenger cars:
- Technical maximum trailer mass braked (for a trailer with brakes)
- Technical maximum trailer mass unbraked (for a trailer without brakes)
Towing capacity on the paper vehicle registration certificate
The paper registration certificate lists the towing capacity of passenger cars for:
- Maximum mass braked (for a trailer with brakes)
- Maximum mass unbraked (for a trailer without brakes)
You can find the towing specifications for a light commercial vehicle on the vehicle registration certificate as:
- Permitted maximum mass of centre axle
- Permitted maximum mass, autonomous
- Permitted maximum mass of semi-trailer
You can find the towing specifications for a heavy commercial vehicle on the Certificate of Conformity as:
- Trailer autonomous braked
- Trailer centre axle braked
No or incorrect towing capacity on the vehicle registration certificate
Is the towing capacity missing from the vehicle registration certificate or is it incorrect? Please contact our customer service.
Towing a trailer with an electric car
Most electric cars are not designed to tow a trailer. Therefore, the maximum towing capacity is usually not specified in the type approval and this information is missing from the vehicle registration register. Would you like to know whether you can travel with a trailer or caravan attached to your electric car? Request an assessment from the RDW. You can do this via the contact form.
Since 1 January 2014, we issue a vehicle registration certificate in credit card format (registration card) each time the ownership of a vehicle has been transferred. You can find more information about the authenticity marks of the registration certificate that was issued until June 10, 2024. (only available in Dutch).
Since June 11, 2024, the certificate has a new appearance. You can find more information about the authenticity marks of the registration certificate that we issue from June 11,2024. (only available in Dutch).