Old-timer roadworthiness test

In principle, all cars on the road need to have an MOT. This is slightly different for old-timers. Old-timers need to be inspected less often than younger cars, and from a certain age they don't need to be inspected at all. However, old-timer insurance is mandatory.

Compulsory MOT for oldtimers or not?

In 2020, the Dutch Senate approved an amendment to the Road Traffic Act which means that cars aged 50 years and older are exempt from compulsory MOT. Previously, this only applied to cars dating from before 1 January 1960. So now, instead of a year, a limit of 50 years is applied. This change in the law will take effect on 1 January 2021. People with cars that are 50 years old or older will receive a so-called MOT exemption letter from the RDW.

Cars of 30 years and older (but younger than 50 years) must be inspected once every two years. Vintage cars younger than 30 years, with an introduction before 1 January 2005, have to be inspected every year.

A condition is that the weight of the car is a maximum of 3500 kg. Heavier cars from before 1960 are also exempt from the MOT. All other cars above 3500 kg have to be retested every year.

Obligation to have the license plate MOT while suspended

When you have suspended the registration of your old-timer, you do not have to pay road tax and the old-timer insurance can also be stopped temporarily. During this suspension period, the old-timer does not need to have a valid MOT and you do not need to have the car inspected. You are not allowed to drive your old-timer during this period. If you still drive the old-timer while the number plate is suspended or if the old-timer has an expired MOT, you can be fined.

If you intend to terminate the suspension, you must ensure before then that the vintage car is MOT checked.

To be able to drive to the garage, you have to insure the old-timer. In addition, you may only drive on the road around the time of the inspection and you must have an appointment confirmation.

A special events regulation applies to old-timers. This means that you may be allowed to drive your old-timer to an event without a valid MOT. You must have registered for the event and this registration must have been approved by the organiser of the event.

Suspension rules

During a suspension period, your old-timer does not have to meet the MOT requirements. This also applies the other way round; when your old-timer does not meet the requirements of the periodic roadworthiness test, you can suspend the registration. You can also choose to ensure that your old-timer does pass the MOT test within two months. In that period, you may, with the exception of the trips to the garage, not on the road with your old-timer.