Suspending a classic car

If you purchase a classic car with the intention of restoring it, you can have the license plate suspended at the RDW or at a PostNL post office. This means that, while the plate is suspended, you do not have to pay road tax; it is automatically waived.
In addition, the classic car does not need to have a valid vehicle inspection certificate, and the classic car insurance can be temporarily suspended.

Starting January 3, 2019, it will be possible to suspend a vehicle for a period of 2 or 3 years. The suspension no longer needs to be renewed every year.

What do you need to get a suspension?

You can suspend the registration of a classic car either online through the RDW or at a PostNL post office. You’ll need a form of identification, proof of the car’s transfer of ownership, and proof of registration in your name. There is a fee for suspension. The suspension fee depends on the age of the car. For a passenger car weighing up to 3,500 kilograms that is more than 15 years old, you pay €24.10 per year. For a car younger than 15 years, you pay €73.10 per year. The suspension expires automatically after one year. You can lift the suspension at a PostNL post office or at the RDW at any time throughout the year. From that moment on, the classic car must comply with vehicle registration requirements.

The fine for an invalid vehicle inspection certificate is €140. The fine for not having proof of insurance is €600. If the suspension is lifted within one month of the suspension taking effect, the motor vehicle tax for that month must still be paid. If you have lifted the suspension and suspend the registration again in the same year, you will once again pay the reduced rate of €24.10 per year for a classic car.

Suspend Insurance

Car insurance can be temporarily suspended or canceled entirely during a suspension period. You must notify the insurance company of this yourself. Suspending the insurance is not always possible; it is usually only allowed when the car is being sold. You are not required to suspend or cancel the insurance. If you choose to do so, the car must be parked on private property or in a garage.

If you have suspended your insurance and want to insure your classic car again, there are two options. You can reactivate the policy or take out a completely new policy and cancel the suspended one. When taking out a new policy, you may need to provide the insurance company with the car’s current value, which could cause the premium to increase or decrease. With liability-only coverage, it’s usually not necessary to have the car appraised. If you opt for more comprehensive coverage, such as comprehensive or liability plus limited collision coverage, the car usually must be appraised. To be eligible for the appraised value if the car is a total loss, the car must be appraised every three years. If you do not do this, you will not receive the appraised value but rather the current market value. If you choose to renew your insurance, it is important to consider the type of coverage. If you plan to drive on public roads, you must have at least third-party liability insurance. This covers damages you cause to others.

If you do not plan to drive on public roads, you can suspend or cancel your liability insurance. In that case, it is better to purchase a different policy that also provides coverage for theft or fire, for example. A liability + limited comprehensive policy or a full coverage policy would be a good option.

Lift the Suspension

When the suspension is lifted, the RDW will notify the Tax and Customs Administration. If you wish to lift the suspension, you must resume paying road tax from that point onward for a classic car that was first registered less than forty years ago. You must also ensure that you have a valid vehicle inspection certificate and auto insurance. Without a valid vehicle inspection certificate, you cannot obtain auto insurance.

If you drive on the road without a valid vehicle inspection while your license plate is suspended, you may be fined. In some cases, however, you are allowed to drive while the registration is suspended. To attend an event, you need permission under the event regulations. You are also allowed to drive to have your car inspected. For this, you need an appointment confirmation, you may only drive around the time of the appointment, and the car must be insured.