Every motor vehicle should be furnished with a license plate. Each license plate is associated with a vehicle registration certificate (old model) or a registration card (new model). These documents should be presentable upon inspection.
Passenger car license plates
Your car carries a unique code called a license plate, which aids in identifying your car. This license plate is displayed on yellow plates placed at the front and rear of your car.
When a new car is sold to its initial owner, the car dealer applies for the license plate. This remains the consistent license plate of the vehicle. The RDW (Rijksdienst Wegverkeer, National Service for Road Traffic) registers each issued license plate to hinder fraud. This system is referred to as GAIK.
GAIK means: Gecontroleerde Afgifte en Inname Kentekenplaten, or Managed Issuance and Retrieval of License Plates.
Approved license plates
The license plates authorised by the RDW carry multiple authenticity features.
You recognize a GAIK license plate by:
- A blue area with the EU symbol and the letters NL in retro-reflective foil.
- A unique code.
- The duplicate code, this figure indicates whether the license plate has ever been replaced.
- The special letters with open pieces.
- The quality mark and company number of the license plate manufacturer.
- A black border that makes the license plate even easier to read.
Trailer license plate with maximum permitted mass > 750 kg
Heavy trailers, caravans and semi-trailers with a maximum permitted mass exceeding 750 kg must have their own license plate. This license plate also includes approved GAlK license plates and a registration certificate.
The license plate of a trailer or caravan always starts with a ‘W’.
The license plate of a semi-trailer always starts with an ‘O’.
Trailer license plate with maximum permitted mass < 750 kg
Light trailers have the same license plate as the vehicle towing them. The license plate looks different: white with black numbers and letters.
A bicycle carrier on the back of the car must have a white license plate. Your license plate must always be clearly visible.
Vehicle Registration Certificate
The vehicle registration certificate, along with the license plates, acts as your car’s ID.
It used to be a paper document but as of January 1, 2014, when you purchase a new or pre-owned car, you get a plastic registration card.
⚠️ Mandatory possession: You are required to keep your vehicle registration card on your person while driving.
The registration card contains:
- Vehicle details
- Information about the owner or registered keeper
The old-style paper registration document consisted of two parts: the vehicle registration and the ownership registration. The registration card now combines these on one card, also featuring a chip containing all this information.
Ownership Transfer Code
Along with your registration card, you will receive an ownership transfer code. This code supersedes the old paper transfer forms and is required when you sell (transferring ownership to a new owner), suspend, export, or scrap your car.
⚠️ The transfer code consists of 9 digits. Always keep this code separate from your registration card to prevent the possibility of unauthorized transfers in case of theft. ‼️