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Documents, insurance & roadworthiness

By Mustafa Aybek · maker of Rijtheorie Hub · sources: RVV 1990, cbr.nl · last updated 2026-10-11

Driving licence categories, 2toDrive and validity

A new licence is valid 10 years; via 2toDrive you drive B from 17, accompanied until 18.

A category B licence does not entitle you to ride a motorcycle: a motorcycle needs A1/A2/A. You do automatically get category AM with your B (moped, light moped, micro-car).
With a B licence you may NOT ride a light motorcycle up to 125 cc in the Netherlands, not even after years of driving or with an extra course: you need at least an A1 licence.
2toDrive: driving without your coach (or with an unregistered one) counts as driving without a valid licence; the coach is also bound by the alcohol rules (max 0.5 per mille, Wvw art. 8) and must not be under the influence — the 17-year-old driver's own limit is 0.2.
Novice rules: for the first 5 years (or 7 years if you got an AM or T licence before you turned 18) the alcohol limit is 0.2 per mille instead of 0.5 — Amsterdam has many checks on nightlife routes.
A non-EU/EFTA foreign licence is usually valid only 185 days after you register with the municipality (BRP); after that you must exchange it or retake the exam.

Since 2014 the kentekencard replaces paper; while a vehicle is yours, you are responsible.

Never keep the ownership code in the car and never hand it over for a test drive — with that code someone can register the car in their name or misuse it.
When selling, always obtain an indemnity certificate. Without it you remain liable for the new 'owner's' fines, tax and insurance.
Suspension (schorsing) stops tax, insurance and APK duty, but the vehicle may then NOT stand on a public road — in Amsterdam that means a spot on private land or in a garage, not on the street.
You need not carry the registration card physically if police can read the plate, but you MUST carry the driving licence — don't confuse the two obligations.
A new or replacement card comes with a new ownership code; the old code from the previous card no longer works.

Every vehicle with a Dutch plate must carry at least WA liability cover.

WA never covers your own damage: in a crash you caused with WA only, you pay your own repair yourself.
You may suspend without insurance, but if you stop ONLY the insurance without suspending or transferring, the RDW register check strikes immediately with a fine.
For travel abroad you need the green card (international insurance certificate); it may now be printed on white paper — check the country you drive to is not crossed out on it.
A trailer runs under the tow vehicle's WA while coupled; if it stands uncoupled and causes damage, the position can differ.
In Amsterdam, with many cyclists and pedestrians, injury claims escalate quickly; the statutory minimum is generous, but for serious injury higher or unlimited cover is wise.

The APK is the mandatory technical test; the schedule depends on fuel and age.

Motorcycles are APK-exempt in the Netherlands — there is NO APK for motorbikes (deliberately different from many other EU countries).
Mopeds, light mopeds and most trailers up to 3,500 kg also have no APK duty; heavy trailers and semi-trailers over 3,500 kg do.
The 2-month rule: test more than 2 months early and the new validity counts from the test date, so you lose part of the term.
An APK is a snapshot: a pass does not mean everything is technically perfect — tread depth, brakes and lights remain your ongoing responsibility.
In Amsterdam the pressure on older diesels is not only the APK but also the environmental zone; a car can be APK-passed yet still barred from the zone.

Minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm; below that it's rejected and fined.

1.6 mm minimum, across full width and whole tyre
Same minimum for winter tyres (grip drops below ~4 mm)
Netherlands has no winter-tyre requirement
Correct pressure on door-pillar or fuel-flap sticker
Warning triangle: ~30 m behind a hard-to-see stationary car, not needed with hazard lights
Carry licence and ID (identification duty from 14)

A safety vest and first-aid kit are NOT legally required in the Netherlands — unlike France, Belgium and Spain, where the vest is mandatory; so pack one in good time for a trip abroad.
Do not mix different tyre sizes or types on one axle, and with four different tyres never put the worst on the driven or steering axle; unequal tyres can fail the APK.
Measure pressure cold (before driving); a warm tyre gives a higher, misleading reading. When heavily loaded or towing a caravan a higher pressure from the manual often applies.
In Amsterdam's narrow streets, along canals and at loading bays, a warning triangle at about 30 m is often awkward — with flashing hazard lights the triangle isn't needed; otherwise place it as visibly as you can.
Watch the tyre's age (DOT code): rubber ages even with enough tread; old tyres can crack and are dangerous despite adequate tread depth.

Imports need RDW inspection and registration first; trailer weight sets your licence.

With a trailer think not only of your licence but of YOUR car's towing limits (on the registration/register): you may never tow more than the manufacturer allows, whatever your licence.
On most roads outside built-up areas and on the motorway a trailer has a lower speed limit than the solo car; respect that trailer limit.
Amsterdam environmental zone: it is about the diesel's build year/emission class, not the APK; a passed car can still be barred. Cameras check the plate, so slipping in unnoticed is impossible.
Register-based parking: if your plate is not correctly registered (including visitor parking and hire cars) an additional levy follows without any paper ticket behind the windscreen.
You cannot insure and tax an imported car separately from registration until the RDW inspection and ownership registration are complete — plate first, then legally on the road.
Code 96 is NOT full BE: if your combination exceeds 4,250 kg or you want a trailer heavier than code 96 allows, you genuinely need the BE exam.

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