How does the process of importing a moped work?
A moped registered abroad must be inspected in the Netherlands through a prescribed procedure. A distinction is made between imports from an EU country or a country in the European Free Trade Association (hereinafter: EFTA) and imports from a non-EU/EFTA country. If you’re importing from the United Kingdom, you must take into account the consequences of a potential Brexit! It’s also possible that you’re moving to the Netherlands and bringing the moped with you as “household goods.” We’ll briefly review the requirements that you and the moped must meet and discuss the moped inspection at the Road Traffic Authority (hereinafter: RDW).
A few requirements regarding you and the moped.
You must be registered in the “Basic Registration of Persons (BRP)” and be at least 16 years old. If you wish to register in your company’s name, the company must be a legal entity established in the Netherlands. You must appear in person (if registering on behalf of a company, you must have signing authority). As far as the moped is concerned, registration is generally not dependent on the moped’s technical condition. However, the RDW may declare the registration certificate invalid if the moped clearly poses a danger to traffic safety. Please note that the RDW does conduct a thorough inspection of mopeds manufactured before January 1, 1978.
In order to be allowed on the road in the Netherlands, the moped must undergo an inspection. The RDW inspection station will verify whether the foreign registration can be transferred. You can make an appointment online for an inspection. If you are not transporting the moped on a trailer or car transporter, you must apply online for a one-day license plate for the inspection. If you’re driving from abroad to the Netherlands, check with the foreign authorities in advance to see if this is permitted. If you’re importing from a non-EU/EFTA country (or if you built the moped yourself), a so-called “approval inspection” is required. The moped must meet certain requirements regarding road safety, noise, lights, the environment, etc. This technical inspection takes place at the RDW test center in Lelystad or at your home. You may also have the moped inspected at other RDW inspection stations if:
- you import the vehicle as part of your household goods.
- the moped had previously been registered in the Netherlands.
- the moped was first driven on the road before January 1, 2006.
- the moped has European type approval (please check with the manufacturer or importer).
You're moving to the Netherlands and bringing your moped with you.
If you are moving to the Netherlands from another EU/EFTA country, you may continue to drive with your foreign license plate for a limited time. Contact the Tax and Customs Administration to find out how long this is permitted. If you are moving from a non-EU/EFTA country, in addition to the usual documents, you must also bring the import document (marked “household goods”). After the vehicle inspection, you must file a return for the “Tax on Passenger Cars and Motor Vehicles (BPM)”(see the Tax and Customs Administration). Once approved by the inspection authorities and the Tax and Customs Administration, you will receive the vehicle registration certificate.
The (documents for the) vehicle inspection and the vehicle registration certificate.
Bring all the necessary documents with you, such as the original foreign registration certificate, your ID, and any other relevant documents (such as the Certificate of Conformity) that you have. The RDW will send you the Dutch registration certificate within 5 business days. Then, have the license plate made by an authorized license plate manufacturer and purchase moped insurance. You are now ready to ride your moped in the Netherlands!
See also
- Why Get Your Moped Inspected
- How much does moped insurance cost?
- Third-Party Liability Moped Insurance
- Third-Party Liability + Theft and Fire Moped Insurance
- Third-Party Liability + Theft, Fire, and Collision Moped Insurance
- Moped License Plate
- Check a moped's license plate
- Transferring Ownership of a Moped
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