To suspend a car
Will you be without your car for an extended period of time? For example, because of repairs, a trip abroad, illness, or surgery? Or perhaps the car is part of a collection and isn’t used every day? In that case, you can easily suspend your car’s registration (online) for 1, 2, or 3 years. You won’t have to pay for the vehicle inspection, auto insurance, or motor vehicle tax.
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De-registering a car through the RDW
You can suspend a car’s registration through the National Road Traffic Authority (RDW). Here’s how:
- Through the RDW website. You'll need a DigiD to do this.
- At the vehicle registration office.
- At an RDW service counter.
- At an RDW inspection station.
Suspend a Car Online
Follow these steps to suspend your car's registration online:
- Go to “Request or Extend a Leave of Absence.” You’ll then be taken to the DigiD screen where you can log in. Enter the requested information.
- Select the license plate number of the vehicle you want to suspend.
- Choose how long you want to suspend the car: 1, 2, or 3 years.
- Pay the fees via iDEAL | Wero.
You will receive an email confirming your request. The license plate will not be suspended until you receive a second email from the RDW. This email will also state when the suspension ends. You must print this email and keep it in a safe place. This serves as proof of suspension.
Suspending a Vehicle at the License Plate Office
Would you rather suspend your car at a specific location? That's also possible. Be sure to bring a valid form of identification with you.
- Go to a vehicle registration office, an RDW inspection station, or an RDW service counter.
- Bring the certificate of registration and the transfer certificate. Or the vehicle registration card and the registration code.
- Choose how long you want to suspend the car: 1, 2, or 3 years.
- Pay the fees.
The license plate has been suspended immediately. You will receive a suspension notice from the staff member, which includes the end date of the suspension. Keep this notice, as it serves as your proof of suspension.
The Terms and Conditions
There are a number of requirements for having a car impounded:
- The person who arranges for the car to be de-registered must be at least 18 years old.
- The vehicle must be registered in your name.
- Has the car's owner passed away? If so, you cannot request a suspension. The car must first be transferred to the new owner's name.
De-registering your car for 1, 2, or 3 years
When you suspend a car, you can choose a suspension period of 1, 2, or 3 years. The shortest period is therefore 1 year. After this period, the suspension automatically expires. During this period, your license plate is registered as suspended in the vehicle registration database.
Lift the suspension earlier
You can end the suspension early, but the minimum suspension period is 1 month. If you end the suspension before the end of the selected period, you’ll still have to pay motor vehicle tax for the suspension period through a back-payment assessment. You won’t receive a refund from the RDW if you end the suspension early.
Extend the suspension
You can also choose to extend the suspension. You can extend your suspension starting up to 6 weeks before the suspension’s end date. The expiration date will then remain the same as the end date of the original suspension. You will receive a reminder letter from the RDW one month before the suspension expires.
If you extend the suspension before the 6-week period is up, you will not retain the original expiration date. The date on which you extend the suspension will then become the new expiration date—after 1, 2, or 3 years. About 1 month before the suspension expires, you will receive a reminder letter from the RDW. You may suspend a car as often as you like.
The cost of suspending a car's registration
How much you pay to suspend a license plate depends on the age and weight of your car. Older and heavier cars are cheaper.
There are two types of rates:
Regular rate:
- Passenger cars no older than 15 years
- Commercial vehicles no older than 15 years (up to 3,500 kg)
Low rate:
- Vehicles older than 15 years
- Heavy commercial vehicles (3,500 kg and up)
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Request a 1-year suspension (standard rate) | €88,05 |
| Request a 1-year suspension (low rate) | €29,10 |
| Request a 2-year suspension (standard rate) | €117,15 |
| Request a 2-year suspension (low rate) | €58,20 |
| Request a 3-year suspension (standard rate) | €146,25 |
| Request a 3-year suspension (low rate) | €87,30 |
Parking a Suspended Car
A vehicle with a suspended registration must always be parked on private property. This is because you are not allowed to drive or park a vehicle with a suspended registration on public roads. If you do so anyway, you risk a fine. Road shoulders, trails, the sides of roads, and public parking garages are also considered public roads.
Storing a classic car that has been taken off the road
Do you own a classic car? If so, it’s best to store it in a special classic car garage. This type of garage meets all the requirements to protect your classic car as effectively as possible from the elements, among other things.
Driving a Suspended Vehicle
There are 3 exceptions under which you are allowed to drive on public roads temporarily:
- You may drive to a garage or RDW inspection station for an APK inspection. You do not need to schedule the APK inspection in advance. If you do receive a fine while on the road, you can file an appeal using an APK report from that day. Therefore, always request an APK report as proof that you were on your way to the inspection at that time.
- You may take the shortest route to an RDW inspection station. For example, to make a modification to the vehicle or to transfer ownership of a vehicle that is no longer subject to liability.
- You may drive a suspended vehicle that is 15 years old or older to an event. Register in advance with the Tax Authority for the event exemption.
Fines for driving on public roads in 2025
If you are pulled over during a police stop or checked during a vehicle registration check, you will be fined approximately €700. This is because the car has not passed its annual inspection and you are not insured.
- The fine for driving without a valid vehicle inspection certificate is €180.
- The fine for driving without insurance is €490.
On top of that, there may also be an additional motor vehicle tax assessment.
De-registering Your Car and Insurance
If your car is de-registered, you are not required to have car insurance during that period. However, you are, of course, free to do so. Notify your insurance company that you want to cancel your car insurance. Please note that, from that moment on, you will no longer be insured against damage to your car.
You can always insure your de-registered car against theft. "Limited" comprehensive auto insurance is the cheapest option for this. Insurers often offer the option to insure the car separately against theft.
Is the suspension period coming to an end, and are you planning to start using the car again? If so, you'll need to take out at least third-party auto insurance again.
Selling a Suspended Vehicle
Are you selling a car with a suspended license plate? If so, you don't need to do anything. The suspension is lifted as soon as the seller has the vehicle registered in his or her name.
Frequently Asked Questions About Suspending a Car's Registration
Can I have my car reinstated before the suspension period ends?
Yes, you can end the suspension at any time through the RDW. From that point on, all obligations—such as insurance, the APK, and paying taxes—will apply again. You will not receive a refund from the RDW.
Can I still sell my impounded car?
Yes, you can end the suspension at any time through the RDW. From that point on, all obligations—such as insurance, the APK, and paying taxes—will apply again. You will not receive a refund from the RDW.
Can I keep my no-claims bonus if I suspend my insurance?
Yes, claim-free years are usually valid for up to 3 years with most insurers. Check with your insurer to make sure your accumulated discount doesn't expire.
Where can I park when a car is suspended?
A vehicle with a suspended registration may not be parked in a public place and must therefore always be parked on private property, such as in a garage or on your own property. If you park in a public place anyway, you risk a fine.
Can I suspend a car's registration online?
You can suspend your car’s registration online or at a registration office. If you suspend your car’s registration online, you’ll need a DigiD. You can then complete the suspension at any time of day, whenever it’s convenient for you. If you’d rather handle the suspension in person, you can do so at a registration office, an RDW counter, or an RDW inspection station.
Can I suspend multiple cars at the same time?
Yes, that's certainly possible. For example, if you have a car collection consisting of more than 5 cars that are 15 years old or older, you may be eligible for the collector's exemption. All vehicles must be registered in your name.
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