It is compulsory to have the following with you in the car when driving:
- A valid driving license (rijbewijs)
- Car insurance papers - Cars must have at least third-party insurance (WA verzekering) – see the private insurances page
- Vehicle registration papers and APK inspection report (if applicable) - Cars must be registered with the RDW and must comply with APK requirements.
Car insurance
Car insurance is on the car and not on the driver. Once a vehicle is insured, anyone who meets the specifications of the policy (in terms of age, for example) is insured to drive it. Conversely, the driver may NOT be covered to drive other vehicles. For more information about car insurance, see our private insurances page.
Driving license
For more information on whether your foreign driving license is valid in the Netherlands, how you can exchange your foreign driving license, and/or obtaining a Dutch driving license, see the driving license page.
Foreign-registered vehicles
Foreign-registered vehicles may only be driven in the Netherlands under specific circumstances. See netherlandsworldwide.nl for more information.
If you are (or should have been) registered in the Dutch Personal Records Database (BRP) you are not allowed to drive a car with foreign registration plates in the Netherlands. See importing a car for more information.
Motor vehicle taxes
Road tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting)
If you own a car, you will need to pay annual road tax. When you register your motor vehicle, it will automatically be registered for road tax. You will receive a payment notice from the Belastingdienst (Tax and Customs Administration) indicating the amount you need to pay. The amount of road tax depends on the type of vehicle, its weight (the heavier, the more expensive) and the fuel used (petrol, diesel, LPG, LPG/petrol, or electric), the province in which you live, and the eco-friendliness of the vehicle. You have to pay a road tax from the time your name is transferred to the vehicle registration certificate.
If you do not receive an invoice from the Belastingdienst within one month of registering your car, you must contact the Belastingdienst yourself on 0800-0749.
Vehicle purchase tax (BPM)
The purchase, lease or rent of vehicles and motorcycles is subject to a special one-off tax, BPM (Belasting van Personenauto’s en Motorrijwielen / Tax on Passenger Cars and Motorcycles). The amount of BPM due depends on the Dutch list price and eco-friendliness (CO2 emission) of the vehicle. Cars imported to the Netherlands may also be subject to BPM, but there are some exemptions. See File a return for BPM (car and motorcycle tax) | Vehicle tax | Government.nl or Step-by-step plan for importing a car into the Netherlands | NetherlandsWorldwide for more details.
Parking
There are a range of parking options available. In some areas, parking is free of charge and in others you need to pay. Consult the Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands document for the rules on where you are and are not allowed to park. Parking fines are expensive in the Netherlands!
- In metered parking areas (P zone), you can purchase a parking ticket from a machine found on the side of the road. Display your parking ticket in the front of your car’s window.
- In car parks, you can usually find pay machines by the stairwells. You will receive a ticket upon entry to the garage. Make sure you take your ticket with you and pay the fee at the pay machine before you leave. The exit gate will open automatically (based upon your license plate number), or you will need to insert your ticket into a machine at the gate in order to exit.
- There are also apps that allow you to pay for your parking via your mobile.
- Blue parking zones require a blue parking disk (available from car supply shops) that displays your time of arrival. You can park for free in these areas for a maximum of two hours.
- There are Park and Ride facilities near main train stations.
- A blue rectangular ‘P’ sign with ‘vergunninghouders’ indicates that the parking space is only available for permit holders.
- Parking your car in a spot for disabled people can result in a €400 fine.
Algemene periodieke keuring (APK / PTI - periodic technical inspection)
The algemene periodieke keuring (APK / PTI - periodic technical inspection) is a mandatory inspection in Europe to promote road safety and protect the environment. In some countries, it is referred to as the MOT test.
You are not allowed to drive a car without a valid APK. New petrol and electric cars are required to have the first APK inspection after 4 years, and then every 2 years until they are 8 years old. After that they must be inspected every year. New diesel cars need a first APK inspection after 3 years, and after that every year.
For more information see rdw.nl and Netherlands worldwide
Road traffic signs and regulations in the Netherlands
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has produced a brochure called Participating in Dutch Traffic which highlights the most important Dutch traffic rules and regulations and describes some traffic signs that are unique to the Netherlands. The ministry has also produced an English translation of all the Dutch traffic rules, regulations and traffic signs, Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands.