Transferring a registration number after the sale of a vehicle
If you buy a vehicle, such as a car or a motorcycle, you must have the registration number transferred to your name. This is referred to as a transfer. You will then receive the vehicle registration certificate. Since 2014, this consists of a registration card with a chip.
Last updated on 26 May 2021
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Transferring a registration number
If you have bought a vehicle from a private individual or a company that is not recognised by the RDW, you can contact the RDW to transfer the vehicle registration.
If you have bought a vehicle from a company that is recognised by the RDW, the dealer can transfer the registration on your behalf. You can identify these approved dealers by the orange sticker or badge that states: ‘RDW erkend; voertuigen op naam zetten’ (RDW-recognised; register vehicles).
Discharge document for the seller
After the transfer of the vehicle registration, you will be given a discharge document. You need to give this discharge document to the seller as this is their proof that the vehicle is no longer registered in their name.
Laws and regulations (in Dutch)
Regeling legitimatievoorschriften tenaamstelling en kentekenplaten