Buying a used car
Transferring a used car in the Netherlands: cost, ways and documents
Putting a used car in your name costs € 13.10 at the RDW, the same everywhere. With a registration card you can do it online with the DigiD app; with a paper registration only at a counter. Buying from an RDW-approved business? Then the business does it.
Three ways
| Way | When | What you need | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Car with a registration card | DigiD app with ID check; registration card (or temporary document number) and the seller’s full registration code; pay with iDEAL or Wero | € 13.10 |
| Counter | Always, also with a paper registration | Registration counter, RDW desk in Veendam or Zoetermeer, or RDW inspection station; no appointment needed. Registration card and code, or the original certificate of registered ownership and transfer certificate; valid ID | € 13.10 |
| Through the business | You buy from an RDW-approved business | The business arranges the transfer | — |
Who can put a car in their name?
- You are 18 or older.
- You are a private person, or you have a sole proprietorship or partnership (other businesses have separate rules).
- You are registered in the BRP with a Dutch residential or correspondence address.
Insure first
The car must have third-party (WA) insurance from the moment it is in your name. So take out the insurance before the transfer. You need the meldcode: the last 4 characters of the VIN, also on the registration card. The RDW fine without insurance is € 500. Which cover?
After the transfer
- You may drive straight away, even without the registration card.
- The registration card comes by post. Transfer on a working day before 16:00: the RDW sends the card on the second working day. After 14 days you must carry the card.
- Part 1 of the new registration code is on the transfer report (counter) or in the email (online); part 2 comes with the registration card.
- Give the seller the release certificate (vrijwaringsbewijs): it proves the car is no longer in their name.
- The transfer counts as your motor vehicle tax return; the Tax Administration sends you the bill.
- In a hurry? Express delivery of the card costs € 241.55 extra, express pick-up in Veendam € 61.50 extra.
- Card not arrived 5 working days after sending? Report it to the RDW within 3 months.
With a private seller
- Check that the VIN on the registration card matches the one on the car.
- Agree to pay at the moment of transfer, not before.
- Online transfer locks for 24 hours after 5 wrong attempts: copy the details carefully.
All steps in the right order, for your situation: make your buying plan
Looking at a used car? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how the car compares with the same model at the same age.
Frequently asked questions
How much does transferring a car cost?
€ 13.10 at the RDW, the same online and at a counter. Express delivery of the card costs € 241.55 extra.
Can I transfer online without DigiD?
No. Online transfer only works with the DigiD app with ID check. Without DigiD you go to a registration counter, an RDW desk or an RDW inspection station, with valid ID.
May I drive straight after the transfer?
Yes, if the car is insured and has a valid APK. The registration card comes by post; after 14 days you must carry it.
More on buying: Insurance · Purchase agreement · Dealer or private seller · Pre-purchase inspection · Costs
Sources
Checked on 19 October 2026. General information, not legal or insurance advice; the official source always prevails. Something out of date? Let us know.