The registration certificate since 1 January 2014

Since 1 January 2014, the vehicle registration certificate consists of:

• Registration certificate in creditcard format (registration card)
• Registration code:
  The part that you need when you transfer ownership (the registration number) and that you should keep safe at home. The 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. 
• Vehicle registration document part II:
  You will only receive this part if you export a vehicle. This paper registration certificate Part II has the name and address of the one who exported the vehicle, among other things. The registration card and paper Part II together are the export registration certificate.

The registration certificate before 1 January 2014

• Vehicle Registration Certificate - Part 1A: the part with the vehicle information
• Certificate of ascription - Part 1B: the part with the ascription information
• Transfer certificate - Part II: the part that you need when you transfer ownership (the registration certificate) of the vehicle and that you should keep safe at home.

Examples registration certificate 2004 - nu

The parts of the vehicle registration certificate until 1 June 2004

• Vehicle Registration Certificate - Part I: the part with the vehicle information 
• Ascription certificate - Part II: the part with the ascription information
• Transfer certificate (or, if the registration number was issued before 01-01-1995: Copy Part 3): the part that you need when you transfer ownership (the registration certificate) of the vehicle and that you should keep at home. 

Examples registration certificate 1998 - 2004
Examples registration certificate 1995 - 1998
Examples registration certificate 1975 - 1995 

The registration certificate in credit card format (registration card) comes with a unique code: the registration code. This code consists of 9 digits. You receive the first part of the code when you buy a vehicle. The second part of the code comes with the registration card we send to you. You put both parts of the code together.

You need the code if you want to sell, trade in, suspend, scrap or export your vehicle. So keep the registration code at a safe place.

First time

The first time a vehicle is registered (so when the vehicle is new), you will receive the complete registration code in a separate envelope, so not in 2 parts. We send this code one day after the vehicle registration certificate.

Lease vehicle

You will not receive a registration code if your vehicle is owned by a lease or finance company. In that case, the registration code is sent to the lease or finance company.

You must carry your registration card when driving on the road. The police may ask you to show it. If you (still) have a paper registration certificate, you must have the Vehicle Registration Certificate (Part IA or the former Part I) and the Ascription Certificate (Part IB or the former Part II) with you.

The registration card of a passenger car holds the following information:

*If an item is marked with a dash on your registration card, it means that we do not know the details.

Different weight on paper registration certificate

The weight listed on the registration card is different from the weight on the paper registration certificate. The registration card states 'mass in running order' and not 'dead load'. The mass in running order is the mass of the vehicle in running (and unloaded) condition, including coolant, lubricants, fuel (90% filled), spare wheel if fitted by the manufacturer, tools, if any, and the driver.

No impact on the motor vehicle tax

The motor vehicle tax (road tax) is still calculated based on the dead (empty) weight of a vehicle. Does the weight show in the 'Mass in running order' section on your registration card? Then you can determine the weight class by subtracting 100 kg from this number.
You can check the dead weight of a vehicle with the RDW registration number check. With this weight at hand, you can check how much motor vehicle tax is due on the website of the Tax and Customs Administration.

If you are using a trailer or a caravan, it is important to know the maximum weight your vehicle is allowed to tow. This way you avoid fines and problems with the vehicle.

Your registration card or paper registration certificate notes the weight your vehicle is allowed to tow.

Check the information of your vehicle online with RDW registration number check. You will find the tow information under the tab Basis > Gewichten (Basis > Weights).

Tow weight on registration card

The registration card lists the tow weights as:

• Technical maximum mass braked trailer (for a trailer that has its own brakes) 
• Technical maximum mass unbraked trailer (for a trailer without brakes)

Tow weight on paper registration certificate

The paper registration certificate lists the tow weights as:

• Maximum mass braked (for a trailer that has its own brakes)
• Maximum mass unbraked (for a trailer without brakes) 

No or incorrect tow weight on the vehicle registration certificate

No tow weight on the vehicle registration certificate or the listed tow weight is wrong? Please contact our customer service.

Towing a trailer with an electric car

Most electric cars are not built to tow a trailer. That is why the maximum tow weight is usually not recorded in the type approval and why this information is not available in the vehicle register. Would you like to know anyway whether you can travel with a trailer or caravan behind your electric car? You can ask RDW to make an assessment. Use 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. The registration card is a handy format and more secure than the paper vehicle registration certificate.

You can find more information about the authenticity marks (only available in Dutch).