Why do I get a fine from the RDW?
You can receive a fine from the RDW for several reasons. Have you transferred a vehicle to your name, but have not yet taken out insurance for this vehicle? Have you forgotten to pay the car insurance premium? Is your moped in the shed, but you have not suspended its registration? These are all things for which you can receive a fine from the RDW. Because it is not always clear which action you should take in which situation, we have listed the most important information.
When does ascription take place?
When you transfer a vehicle to your name, you are liable for motor vehicle tax, insurance and General Periodic Inspection(APK). If you have not insured the vehicle within 28 days of its registration, you will receive a warning letter from the RDW. This letter states that the vehicle registered in your name is not insured. It is then important that you contact your insurer or intermediary. If you are insured, they can check whether something has gone wrong with the registration of the vehicle.
After receiving the warning letter, you have some time to insure the vehicle or your insurance company can still register the license plate with the RDW. If you do not comply with the warning letter, you will receive a second letter from the RDW. In it, the RDW indicates that they want an article 34 statement from you. If you did not have valid insurance on the RDW's reference date, they can impose a fine. This is usually €609.00 (as of 01-01-2021). Did you do have your vehicle insured on time? Then the insurance company must issue an article 34 statement. This statement states that you were indeed insured on the relevant reference date. If you still did not insure the vehicle or insured it too late, the insurance company cannot help you in all cases.
Termination or suspension of insurance?
When your vehicle's insurance is terminated or suspended, you will not receive a warning letter from the RDW. The RDW states that this is not possible because they do not know the nature of the termination or suspension. They only carry out the inspection. In these situations, you will immediately receive a letter informing you that you must submit an article 34 WAM statement or else you could be fined.
When to check the RDW?
Every registered vehicle is checked at least once a year by the RDW. This frequency has been maintained since last year. The RDW says that they have switched to 100% checks because the Ministry of Security and Justice wants to tackle people who break the rules.
What are the RDW's fines in 2023 for car and moped?
The fine that can be imposed if your car or motorcycle is not insured is € 609.00 (as of 01-01-2021). The fine for an uninsured moped is €439.00 (per 01-01-2021). These amounts include €9 in administrative costs.
Can I suspend my license plate?
If you are not using the public roads with your vehicle for a long period of time, you can suspend the license plate online at the RDW. You will then be exempt from the liability insurance obligation, paying motor vehicle tax and the MOT inspection during the suspension period.
Safeguard certificate?
When buying or selling a vehicle, it is very important to make sure that your vehicle(s) are insured. Only with a bill of indemnification or a certificate of suspension do you have no insurance obligation.
Example 1
According to the RDW, people often sell a vehicle but do not transfer the registration number. They then register the new vehicle with the insurance company, but forget that they are still liable for the old vehicle until it has been transferred.
Example 2
You buy a car and put it in your name. You report the new vehicle to the insurer, your old vehicle is co-insured for free. You forget to insure the old car after the co-insured period. You are liable for both cars.
It is important that you transfer or insure a vehicle that is in your name. When you transfer a vehicle, you receive a release certificate. The date on your release certificate is the date you are no longer liable for a vehicle. Make sure you do not terminate your insurance before this date. Also make sure that you keep your release certificate for your own administration, but also for your insurance company. This is because they can request it to avoid misunderstandings about the date of sale.
Fine uninsured vehicle 2023
| Vehicle | Fine |
|---|---|
| Fine uninsured car | €650 |
| Fine uninsured moped/scooter | €440 |
| Fine uninsured motor | €650 |
| Fine uninsured moped | €440 |
| Fine uninsured tractor/agricultural vehicle | €650 |
What is an article 34 WAM statement?
An article 34 WAM statement, is a statement that should be issued by your insurance company to prove that you were insured on a certain date or during a certain period. Article 34 of the Motor Insurance Liability Act (WAM) states in what circumstances a statement may be requested.
A Section 34 WAM statement must meet a number of requirements.
The paper declaration must meet the following legal requirements:
- The statement should be printed on official letterhead of the insurance company or the authorised agent.
- It must be an original statement (no copy or fax).
The digital statement must meet the following legal requirements:
- The top of the statement reads: 'WAMPrintenArtikel34'.
Both declarations (paper and digital) must contain the following items:
- The text 'statement pursuant to Section 34 of the WAM'.
- The CRWAM code of the insurer or authorised agent.
- The correct control date.
- The correct registration number.
- The policy number.
- An original signature (no pre-printed signature or stamp).
- The date of issue of the declaration (in the case of the digital declaration, this is indicated at the bottom right-hand corner of the printout).
What is the CRWAM?
The CRWAM is the Central Register of Motor Insurance Liability Act. This is a database of the RDW in which all current insurance policies supplied by insurers, authorised agents and intermediaries are stored per licence plate. The CRWAM code of insurers and authorised agents consists of 4 digits and is issued by the Enforcement Unit of the RDW.
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