The Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW) has set a strict deadline for vehicles registered to deregistered companies. This article details the obligations and consequences of non-compliance, emphasizing the importance of transferring vehicle ownership by January 15, 2026, to prevent the RDW from ending the registration and the police from seizing the vehicle. It covers procedures for suspension and special vehicle types, ensuring you maintain legal road use.
The Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW), the Netherlands Vehicle Authority, has implemented a crucial policy change impacting vehicles previously registered under deregistered companies. This update signifies a critical deadline of January 15, 2026, by which ownership of these vehicles must be formally transferred. Failure to comply with this directive will result in the RDW ending the vehicle's registration, rendering it illegal for use on public roads and exposing it to potential seizure by law enforcement. Understanding these administrative obligations is paramount for any business owner or individual managing vehicles within the Dutch legal framework to ensure continued compliance and avoid significant penalties.
The RDW's updated regulations are designed to ensure that vehicle registration records accurately reflect the current legal owner or holder of a vehicle. When a company is deregistered from the Chamber of Commerce (KVK), any vehicles solely registered under its name must have their ownership transferred to a new entity or individual. This process is essential for maintaining the legality of the vehicle's road use, as an unregistered vehicle cannot legally be driven. The RDW is actively targeting vehicles from companies deregistered over the past few years, prompting this urgent call for action before the impending deadline.
The core of the RDW's new policy centres on the tenaamstelling, or ownership registration, of vehicles. Previously, vehicles registered to companies that were subsequently deregistered remained in the RDW's system, creating a discrepancy between legal ownership and the company's status. To rectify this, the RDW is systematically ending the registration of vehicles associated with deregistered companies. This administrative action means that the vehicle will no longer be recognised as legally registered for road use, carrying severe consequences for the owner.
The RDW has established specific timelines for this enforcement. Companies that were deregistered before July 1, 2025, are directly affected. For those that deregistered between January 1, 2022, and July 1, 2025, the RDW will issue a formal letter on October 15, 2025, providing a reminder and guidance. However, companies deregistered prior to 2022 may not receive direct notification due to outdated contact information. In such cases, a public announcement will be made in the Staatscourant (Official Gazette) on October 15, 2025, under publication number 34265. Regardless of whether a direct letter is received, the responsibility to act before January 15, 2026, rests with the vehicle owner.
The deadline of January 15, 2026, is absolute. If ownership is not transferred by this date, the RDW will automatically end the vehicle's registration. This action makes the vehicle illegal to drive on public roads.
The most significant consequence of failing to transfer ownership by the RDW deadline is the immediate cessation of the vehicle's legal registration. This means the vehicle is no longer permitted on public roads. Driving a vehicle with an invalid registration is a serious traffic violation in the Netherlands. Law enforcement officers, including the police, are empowered to check vehicle registrations and will identify non-compliant vehicles.
If a vehicle is found to be operating without a valid registration, the police have the authority to seize it. This seizure is not only a logistical hassle but also incurs significant costs for retrieval and potential fines. Beyond immediate seizure, continued use of an unregistered vehicle can lead to further legal repercussions, including substantial financial penalties and potentially impacting future driving privileges. Therefore, proactive management of vehicle registration is essential to avoid such severe outcomes.
The RDW policy also addresses specific scenarios, including vehicles that are temporarily not in use, those impounded, and leased vehicles. If a vehicle is no longer in use and the owner wishes to avoid road tax, insurance, and APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring – general periodic inspection) obligations, it must first be formally suspended (geschorst). This suspension process can only occur after the ownership has been legally transferred to the new owner. Attempting to suspend a vehicle under a deregistered company name directly might lead to complications.
Vehicles that have been seized by bailiffs present another layer of complexity. Such vehicles cannot be transferred to a new owner until the seizure order is resolved by the bailiff. The legal complexities surrounding seized assets must be navigated before any ownership transfer can be processed with the RDW. For leased vehicles, the procedure typically involves the leasing company. The leasing company, as the registered owner, will manage the transfer process according to the terms of the lease agreement and RDW regulations when the company that leased the vehicle is deregistered.
Schorsing is a formal process in the Netherlands where a vehicle's registration is temporarily suspended. This exempts the owner from obligations such as road tax, mandatory insurance, and APK inspections. However, a suspended vehicle is strictly prohibited from being on public roads.
Navigating the RDW’s requirements for transferring vehicle ownership after a company deregistration involves a clear, multi-step procedure. The primary goal is to ensure the vehicle’s registration is updated to reflect a current, active owner before the January 15, 2026 deadline. This typically involves selling or transferring the vehicle to a new owner, who could be an individual, another company, or even an employee.
In many cases, especially if the vehicle has undergone significant modifications or has been involved in a serious accident, it might require a technical inspection by the RDW. This is part of ensuring the vehicle meets Dutch safety and emission standards before it can be re-registered under a new owner. If a vehicle is flagged with a ‘Wachten Op Keuren’ (WOK) status, meaning it's awaiting inspection due to detected issues, it must pass this RDW inspection before any transfer can take place. Without passing this, the vehicle remains prohibited from road use.
A 'Wachten Op Keuren' status is assigned by the RDW when a vehicle fails a technical inspection or has modifications that require re-evaluation. This status indicates that the vehicle is not roadworthy until it passes a subsequent RDW inspection.
The actual transfer of ownership, known as tenaamstelling, can be completed at an RDW-certified transfer location. These are typically official license plate partners or certain post offices. Both the seller (representing the deregistered company) and the buyer must be present, or have the necessary identification and authorisation. The seller will need to provide the vehicle's registration certificate, and the buyer will need their valid identification. The Meldcode (the last four digits of the vehicle's chassis number, or VIN) is a critical piece of information often required for this process.
Upon successful transfer, the buyer will receive a registration card and, in most cases, a proof-of-ownership code. The RDW updates its national register to reflect the new owner. It is vital for the seller to ensure they receive confirmation that the transfer has been completed successfully. This confirmation is their proof that they have divested themselves of ownership responsibilities before the deadline.
As mentioned earlier, special considerations apply to leased vehicles and those under seizure. For leased vehicles, the leasing company, which is the official owner on the RDW register, will manage the transfer. They will liaise with the former company and the new owner to effect the transfer. If the vehicle is currently impounded or seized, the legal situation must be resolved with the relevant authorities (e.g., the bailiff) before the RDW can process any ownership change. Failure to resolve these underlying legal issues will prevent a successful transfer and could lead to continued problems.
The RDW’s stringent policy on vehicle registration for deregistered companies underscores the importance of meticulous record-keeping and administrative diligence for all vehicle owners in the Netherlands. This policy change, while specific to company vehicles, serves as a broader reminder that maintaining accurate and up-to-date vehicle documentation is a continuous responsibility. For individuals preparing for their driving theory exam, understanding these administrative aspects of vehicle legality contributes to a holistic view of road safety and legal compliance.
When you encounter questions related to vehicle ownership, registration, or temporary deactivation (suspension), recall the principles of RDW compliance. For example, a question might ask about the implications of driving a vehicle with foreign plates when residing in the Netherlands, or the requirements for registering a vehicle after moving. The underlying principle remains the same: vehicles operating on Dutch roads must adhere to Dutch legislation, which includes proper registration and legal ownership.
Always keep original documents related to vehicle ownership and registration secure. In situations involving foreign license plates or long-term stays, retaining proof of your residency or work status is crucial, as highlighted by RDW guidelines for newcomers.
By addressing the RDW deadline proactively, you not only avoid the severe penalties associated with non-compliance but also demonstrate a commitment to responsible vehicle management. This attention to detail is a characteristic of a safe and informed driver, which is precisely what the Dutch driving theory exam aims to assess. Staying informed about such administrative changes directly impacts the legality of vehicle use and is an indirect but important aspect of understanding traffic rules and regulations.
Article content overview
Explore related topics, search based questions, and concepts that learners often look up when studying RDW Company Vehicle Deadline. These themes reflect real search intent and help you understand how this topic connects to wider driving theory knowledge in the Netherlands.
Find clear and practical answers to common questions learners often have about RDW Company Vehicle Deadline. This section helps explain difficult points, remove confusion, and reinforce the key driving theory concepts that matter for learners in the Netherlands.
The RDW requires that vehicles registered to companies that have been deregistered must have their ownership transferred to a new owner before January 15, 2026. After this date, the RDW will end the vehicle's registration.
If the ownership is not transferred by January 15, 2026, the RDW will end the vehicle's registration. This makes the vehicle illegal for use on public roads, and it may be seized by the police.
A vehicle must first have its ownership transferred to a new owner before it can be suspended (geschorst) to avoid road tax, insurance, and APK requirements. Suspension cannot be done while the vehicle is still registered to a deregistered company.
Lease vehicles must be handled through the leasing company. You should contact your leasing provider to understand their procedure for transferring ownership or managing the vehicle registration after the company's deregistration.
No, a vehicle that has been seized by a bailiff cannot be transferred until the seizure is officially resolved and lifted by the bailiff.