How many cars are you allowed to have in your name
In the Netherlands, you can basically have as many cars in your name as you want. There is no legal maximum. Whether you drive one car, have a second car for your partner or own several old-timers: you may put them all in your name. With the second car scheme, you also get no-claims discount on all car insurance policies.
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No cap on number of cars in name
In the Netherlands, there is no legal limit to the number of cars you can have in your name. So you can have several cars in your name, as long as you comply with the rules. Still, it is important to know that the tax authorities keep an eye on how many cars you buy and sell in a year.
Every car has to be MOT approved, you have to pay road tax and have separate car insurance.
Rules of the Internal Revenue Service
If you sell more than one car per year as an individual, the IRS may begin to view you as a car dealer or trader rather than a private user. This can affect your tax return and the requirements placed on you.
There is no set number of transactions that counts as the limit, but with, say, 5 or more cars per year, this can already raise suspicion. The Inland Revenue mainly looks at intent and frequency. If you make a structural profit from the sale, refurbish vehicles and sell them again, or sell them again shortly after purchase, this can be considered an economic activity. In that case, you must register with the Chamber of Commerce and pay VAT on your profit margins.
Please note that even if you do not make a profit but do buy and sell cars structurally, you may be required to register as an entrepreneur. The IRS looks at the totality of facts and circumstances.
Insure multiple cars in your name
Do you have multiple cars you want to insure? You can easily do that with one insurance company with the second family car scheme. Although it's called the "second car plan," you can co-insure multiple cars on this plan.
Have you accumulated claim-free years? Then you can get no-claim discount on your car insurance for all cars.
The second car arrangement
The second car policy means that with a second car you get the same no-claim discount as with the first car.
Other insurers also offer the option of taking over the discount from the first car insurance, but only up to a certain discount. Another option is to offer a fixed percentage discount for the second car.
One condition is usually that both cars be in the name of the same person, or owned by partners living at the same address. Also, the first car must often be insured for a minimum period of time.
Learn more about the different types of second car schemes.
Insuring your child's car
Does one of the cars belong to your child? As a parent, you are not allowed to insure your child's car in your own name. You can list your child as a regular driver on your policy. This does affect the amount of the premium.
Are you not doing this? Then this could have major consequences for your car insurance if the insurer finds out.
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Insuring vintage cars as second cars
If you own a vintage car as a second or third car, most of the same rules apply as for other cars: you must insure the vehicle, pay taxes and meet MOT requirements (unless exempt).
Learn more about insuring a vintage car.
Claim-free years per vehicle
Claim-free years are built up per insurance policy and per vehicle. They are therefore linked to one person and to one specific policy. You cannot divide your claim-free years over several vehicles or use them simultaneously.
If you insure a second car, you basically start over with zero claim-free years, unless you can use the second family car scheme.
Insure your cars through Alpina
Need help getting car insurance for your third (or first, second or fourth) car? Get in touch with us, we'd love to help! We can be reached on weekdays between 08:00 and 18:00 on telephone number 088-6883700.
Of course, you can always send us a message via chat, WhatsApp or Messenger.
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Frequently asked questions about having multiple cars in your name
Can I have unlimited cars in my name?
Yes, you may. In the Netherlands, there is no limit to the number of vehicles you may have in your name. However, you are responsible for all obligations per vehicle, such as insurance, road tax and MOT inspection.
Can I insure multiple cars in my name?
Yes, this is possible. You then take out a separate car insurance policy for each vehicle. Some insurers offer a discount if you insure several cars at the same time with them, for example through a second family car scheme.
Can I insure 3 cars in 1 name?
Insuring 3 cars in 1 name is not a problem for most insurers. However, a condition for insuring 3 cars in 1 name is that the vehicles are in the name of you or your partner.
Insurers assume that partners also use each other's car. Therefore, you may insure a car registered in your name in your partner's name as well.
Do I have to pay road tax for every car?
Yes, you pay motor vehicle taxes separately for each vehicle in your name. Do you want to temporarily not use a car? Then you can suspend the license plate through the RDW, which means you don't have to pay taxes and insurance temporarily.
Can I spread claim-free years across multiple cars?
No, claim-free years are tied to one vehicle and one policy at a time. So you cannot spread them over several cars. Some insurers do allow you to make arrangements for a second car, such as through a separate arrangement for family members.
What if I put a car in someone else's name?
This is allowed, but the insurer always looks at who the regular driver is. If someone other than the license plate holder usually drives the car, that must be honestly stated when the insurance is taken out. Otherwise, the insurer may refuse to reimburse claims.
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