Frequently asked questions about the consequences of the coronavirus
RDW accessibility
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Are the testing stations still open?
All testing stations are open again between 8.00 and 17.00 hrs. You can visit a testing station by appointment only. -
Are the Veendam and Zoetermeer reception desks open?
The reception desks are open from 8.00 am - 5.00 pm. You can only pay by PIN, and precautionary hygiene measures will be taken. -
Can I contact RDW in the usual way?
Inspections
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Are the testing stations still open?
Currently, 13 of our 16 testing stations are open from 8.00 to 17.00. You can only attend if you have an appointment. Please come alone. The testing stations that are open are:
- Almelo
- Amsterdam
- Arnhem
- Elsloo
- Groningen
- Nieuwegein
- Roosendaal
- Rijen
- Schiedam
- Veldhoven
- Waddinxveen
- Zwijndrecht
- Zwolle
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Are there any regulations at the testing stations with respect to corona?
Yes, there are. For your and our safety the RIVM guidelines are decisive at all RDW testing stations. In addition, please comply with the following:
- You will be required to wear a face mask.
- Visit the testing station by appointment only.
- Come to the testing station alone.
- For your and our safety, comply with the applicable regulations and follow the instructions of RDW employees.
- You can only pay by PIN
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Can I still make an inspection appointment?
You can make an appointment online via our Inspection Appointment service. There you can see the types of inspections for which you can make an appointment.
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I have an appointment at a testing station, but I’m unable to make the appointment due to the coronavirus measures. Do I still need to pay the appointment costs?
You can cancel an appointment for a key inspection up to 24 hours in advance. If you do not cancel your appointment in time, the costs will be charged to you. If you cancel your appointment due to the coronavirus measures, we will take these circumstances into account. -
What are the crucial services/inspections?
The key inspections are:
- Periodic inspections of buses and ADR (hazardous goods) vehicles.
- Initial registration of commercial vehicles (light and heavy), trailers and semi-trailers (light and heavy).
- Inspections for the transport of live animals, longer and heavier truck combinations (LZV) and taxis.
- Inspections for LRVs (slow-moving vehicles such as agricultural vehicles).
You can make an appointment for a test inspection for:
- Commercial vehicles (light and heavy).
- Trailers and semi-trailers (light and heavy).
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Will home inspection appointments continue?
Only key home services are continuing. You can see which inspections are considered key inspection under ‘What are key inspections/services?’ ('Wat zijn de cruciale diensten/keuringen?’).
Additional measures will be taken during the home inspections, such as wearing a face mask and social distancing.
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Will scheduled appointments take place at the testing stations?
We are in any event cancelling inspection appointments until 22 May, apart from key inspections, which will continue as usual. You can read what key inspections are under the question ‘What are key inspections/services?’ If we have to cancel your appointment, you will receive a cancellation e-mail about this.
PTI (Periodic Technical Inspections)
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Can I have a PTI performed on my vehicle at the testing station?
No, unfortunately not. PTI inspections are performed by your (regular) garage. You can make an appointment at a testing station, except for the PTI of buses and of vehicles intended for carrying hazardous substances. -
Can I take the PTI/ Tachograph/ Gas exams at the moment?
Due to the corona virus situation, the PTI/ Tachograph/ Gas exams at IBKI have been cancelled from Wednesday 16 December to Monday 18 January 2021. Keep an eye on the IBKI website for current developments. -
Do I still need to have a PTI done on my vehicle?
If you wish to continue to drive your vehicle, you must have the PTI carried out on your vehicle. PTIs are still carried out by accredited garage businesses. More PTIs were actually carried out in recent weeks than in the same period last year.
Please contact your garage to discuss whether there are options to have a PTI carried out on your vehicle at the garage. Garage businesses have taken all measures necessary to carry out inspections safely; for instance, your vehicle can often be collected.
If the PTI on your vehicle has expired, you may no longer drive. This is to safeguard vehicle safety. You may only use the vehicle on public roads to drive to the testing station to have the PTI carried out. Your vehicle may, however, be kept on the public road without PTI for 2 months.
You would usually receive a fine after 2 months if the PTI expiry date of the vehicle is exceeded. This will not happen for the time being.
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I am a key worker and I won’t be able to have my vehicle PTI done on time. What should I do?
Garages are following RIVM guidelines and have taken various measures to ensure that they can continue carrying out inspections. This includes collecting and delivering vehicles. Please contact your local garage business to find out the options. If you are unable to come to an arrangement with them, please contact us.
You would usually receive a fine after 2 months if the PTI expiry date of the vehicle is exceeded. This will not happen for the time being. You may not drive a vehicle if its PTI date has expired.
You may only drive it to a garage for its PTI. -
I’m stranded abroad due to the coronavirus measures. My vehicle is in the Netherlands and I cannot have the PTI done in time. What should I do?
Please contact the RDW. -
I’m stranded abroad with my vehicle. I will not be able to get back in time for the PTI. What should I do?
Please contact the RDW. -
I won’t be able to have my vehicle PTI done in time. Can I continue driving after the expiry date, or is that a violation?
If the PTI on your vehicle has expired, you may no longer drive. This is to safeguard vehicle safety. You may only use the vehicle on public roads to drive to the testing station to have the PTI carried out.
Please contact your garage to discuss whether there are options to have a PTI carried out on your vehicle at the garage. Garage businesses have taken all measures necessary to carry out inspections safely.
Your vehicle may, however, be kept on the public road without PTI for 2 months after the expiry date.
The owner would usually receive a fine after 2 months if the vehicle’s PTI expiry date is exceeded. This will not happen for the time being.
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My PTI/Tacho/Gas accreditation has expired, and the certification process has been postponed. What should I do?
If your accreditation expires during the coronavirus period, IBKI can extend your certification temporarily. Every inspector whose PTI authorisation lapses as a result of the new measures before 1 April 2021, will receive a 4 month extension. This is done by the IBKI - you do not need to take any action yourself. More information about this is available at www.ibki.nl.
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The examinations and renewal of PTI/Tachograph/Gas accreditations have been postponed. What should I do?
The examinations and renewal of PTI/Tachograph/Gas accreditations at IBKI have been postponed due to the coronavirus. If this has consequences for your exams or accreditation renewal, please contact IBKI.
Exporting
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Can I still export my vehicle?
The administrative export service has been suspended with immediate effect. This means that you cannot use this service at the testing stations until further notice. You can, however, contact RDW-accredited companies and the RDW desks in Zoetermeer and Veendam. These are open.
Importing
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Can I still import a vehicle?
Private individuals can make an appointment at one of the RDW testing stations for importing a vehicle. Certified manufacturers import a vehicle via the temporary coronavirus import procedure.
Transferring
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Can I still have a registration certificate transferred?
You can still have a registration certificate transferred at a vehicle registration desk if you have a valid Dutch ID card. If you have a foreign national ID card, you should contact one of the open testing stations. These testing stations are open from 8.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m. You can only pay by PIN, and precautionary hygiene measures will be in place.
Driving licences
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I come from a country outside the EU. The 185-day period during which I am permitted to drive in the Netherlands using my non-Dutch driving licence has ended, or will shortly do so. What should I do?
In the light of the measures taken in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management has ruled that you may continue to drive using your non-Dutch driving licence until the first of October, provided the 185-day period ended between the first of February and the first of September. This is subject to the condition that you have a valid driving licence issued by your country of origin, and that the 185-day period ended between the first of February and the first of September.
In the light of the measures taken in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management has ruled that you may continue to drive using your non-Dutch driving licence until the first of October, provided the 185-day period ended between the first of February and the first of September. This is subject to the condition that you have a valid driving licence issued by your country of origin, and that the 185-day period ended between the first of February and the first of September. This arrangement will not be extended beyond 1 October. Please note: An expired driving licence cannot be exchanged for a Dutch driving licence.
Use the following link to find more information about exchanging your driving licence.
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I might not be able to renew my driving licence in time. What should I do?
The European Commission has once more decided that drivers with an EU driving licence that has expired within a certain period can continue to drive in Europe with the expired driving licence. They will continue to be insured and will not be fined if they are stopped. Regulations for EU driving licences and/or code 95:
- The validity expired between 01-02-2020 and 31-05-2020: then you can continue to drive with the expired driving licence up to 01-07-2021.
- The validity expired between 01-06-2020 and 31-08-2020: then you can continue to drive with the expired driving licence for a period of 13 months after the expiry date of your driving licence.
- The validity expires between 01-09-2020 and 30-06-2021: then you can continue to drive with the expired driving licence for a period of 10 months after the expiry date of your driving licence.
However, there are a number of conditions:
- The driving licence is issued by an EU member state.
- The arrangement applies to driving within Europe.
- The measure applies to all driving licences. Thus also for driving licenses that are only valid for one or three years due to a medical condition.
- This temporary arrangement applies to the Netherlands and all other EU member states.
- The arrangement does not apply to driving licences that have been revoked or suspended, for example due to a serious traffic violation or driving under the influence of alcohol.
- The expired driving licence cannot, however, be used for identification purposes, except in situations where it is needed to receive health care.
Questions about renewing a driving licence
Please contact the municipality if you have questions about renewing your driving licence. More information about driving licences.