What is a safeguard certificate?

As long as the vehicle registration has not been transferred to a new owner, the seller remains liable for road tax, auto insurance, the vehicle inspection (APK), and any traffic tickets. It is therefore important to ALWAYS ensure that you receive the certificate of release upon sale. It happens too often that the buyer says they will send it later. However, this does not always happen, leaving the previous owner thinking they have sold the vehicle while it is still registered in their name, with all the associated obligations and consequences.

You will need to bring the following items:

• Valid ID
• Registration certificate
• Transfer certificate
• Possibly an extract from the Chamber of Commerce

When selling, the selling party is required to transfer the Part I B and Part II of the registration certificate to the person who has become the owner of the vehicle. The selling party is also required to keep the Part I A of the registration certificate with them until the buying party has returned the indemnification certificate AND the old Part I B. Once this is done, they may give the Part I A registration certificate to the buyer.

Cost of car release certificate

There are costs associated with suspension. Suspension costs €71.50 per year for most vehicles. For some special categories of vehicles, the cost is €23.90 per vehicle per year.

The suspension fee for mopeds is €10.50. If you want to renew a suspension, the cost for the second year is €23.90. This fee is the same for all vehicles except mopeds. If you lift a suspension of a vehicle and want to suspend the same vehicle again within a year, the cost is € 119.00.

The rate for re-suspension within one year for special categories of vehicles is €23.90. The suspension rate of €23.90 applies to:
. vehicles of 15 years and older
. motorcycles
. commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass exceeding 3500 kg .
. trailers and semi-trailers with a maximum authorized mass exceeding 750 kg.

I lost my release certificate, what now?

If you do not have a release certificate, it is possible to request a printout from the RDW. This can also be done online with your DigiD. This also shows when you have transferred the vehicle. Look for more information.

Cancel car insurance after clearance

The car insurance company will not be notified automatically. You must notify your insurer or agent yourself that the vehicle has been sold.

Road tax cancellation

This does happen automatically. After the transfer, you are no longer an owner for the Tax Department and no longer have to pay road tax.

Cancel MOT inspection

The MOT inspection remains mandatory for the vehicle but because you are no longer the owner, you will no longer receive a reminder from the RDW.