Frequently asked questions about the consequences of the coronavirus
RDW accessibility
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Can I contact RDW in the usual way?
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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.
Inspections
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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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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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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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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. -
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.
PTI (Periodic Technical Inspections)
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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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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. -
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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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. -
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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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.
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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It’s possible that I will not be able to renew my driving licence in time. What should I do?
Driving licenses that expire in the period from Februari 2020 and 30 November 2020 will remain valid for the time being. That was decided by the European Commission. Drivers can continue driving with the expired driving license for 9 months after the expiry date. They will continue to be insured and will not be fined if they are stopped.
However, there are a number of conditions:
- The driving licence has expired/expires between 1 February 2020 and 30 November 2020. Or a category on the driving license has expired/expires between 1 February 2020 and 30 November 2020.
- 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 1 or 3 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 licenses that have been revoked or suspended, for example due to a serious traffic offense or driving under the influence of alcohol.
- The expired driving licence cannot, however, be used for identification. Except where this is needed to receive health care.
Please contact the local authority if you have questions relating to extending your driving licence.
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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.