License plate blue license plate

Blue license plate

These days, there are two types blue license plates: for classic cars and taxis.

When is a classic car eligible to display a blue license plate?

Classic cars with a registration date prior to January 1, 1978, are permitted to display a (dark) blue license plate with white letters. Before the blue license plate is issued, a check is performed to verify that the vehicle registration certificate lists a registration date prior to January 1, 1978, and that the license plate consists of a combination of 4 digits and 2 letters. If all requirements are met, an unlimited number of license plates may be purchased.

Blue license plates feature a certification mark consisting of the Dutch lion and the text “RKM.” The certification mark—and especially the serial number—must remain clearly recognizable, because this serial number can be used to identify the manufacturer of the license plate.

For imported classic cars, you can apply to the RDW for an “old-style” license plate, provided that the date of first registration was before 1978 for automobiles and before 1973 for motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

This regulation supplements the long-standing option to reinstate the original license plate on historic vehicles that have been issued a recent license plate due to the loss of their registration documents.

Vehicles imported into the Netherlands by enthusiasts because of their historical value are issued a “classic” license plate by the RDW upon registration. In consultation with the Federation of Historic Automobile Clubs (FEHAC), the RDW has made several special series of “old-fashioned” license plates available, specifically for imported classic cars.

Passenger vehicles manufactured before 1978 are automatically issued an “old-style” license plate upon registration after import. Commercial vehicles are issued a license plate from the BE-00-00 series upon registration after import, and motorcycles are issued a license plate from the ZF-00-00 series.

Vehicles imported before that time may still be eligible for this series of “vintage license plates,” provided that the date of first registration is before 1978 for automobiles and before 1973 for motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Note:The RDW uses the date of first registration. If this date cannot be verified but the year of manufacture can, the RDW will use the year of manufacture.

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