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Suspend car, what about it?

If you plan not to use your car for an extended period of time, you can suspend it. This involves temporarily suspending the car's registration number. Once the car is suspended, you no longer have to meet vehicle obligations, such as motor vehicle tax, third-party insurance and MOT requirements. Are you asking yourself what it costs to suspend a car and exactly how to do it? At Alpina.nl we have listed all the information about suspending a car!

car suspension

How often may you suspend a car?

You can suspend your car for 1,2 or 3 years. After this period, the suspension expires automatically. However, you can also choose to extend the suspension. You can extend your suspension from no more than 6 weeks before the end date of the suspension. The expiration date then simply remains the same as the expiration date of the old suspension. If you extend the suspension before the 6 weeks, you will not keep the old expiration date. The date you extend the suspension is then the new expiration date after 1, 2 or 3 years. 1 month before it expires, you get a reminder letter from the RDW. You may suspend a car as many times as you want.

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What will it cost to suspend a car in 2024?

For cars less than 15 years old, you pay the standard rate. For cars 15 years or older, you pay the low rate. If you extend a suspension, this also falls under the low rate. In 2023, the following fees are charged for suspending a car:

Duration of suspension Cost in 2023
Requesting or extending a suspension normal rate RDW €80,20
Applying for or extending a suspension at the RDW low rate €26,50
Application for suspension or extension RDW normal tariff for 2 years 106,70
Application for suspension or extension of low rate RDW for 2 years €53,00
Application for suspension or extension RDW normal tariff for 3 years €133,20
Application for suspension or extension of low rate RDW for 3 years €79,50

How long can you suspend a car?

When suspending a car, you can choose a suspension period of 1,2 or 3 years. So the minimum duration in this case is 1 year. However, you can end the suspension period earlier. However, the minimum suspension period is 1 month. If you end the suspension period earlier, you will still have to pay motor vehicle tax for the suspension period via an additional charge. If you end the suspension period earlier, you will not receive a refund.

Frequently asked questions about suspending a car

Where can I park when a car has been suspended

A suspended car may not be parked in a public place, so it must always be parked on your own property, such as in a garage or on your own property. If you do park in a public place you risk a fine.

What do you need to suspend a car

To suspend a car, you need the following documents:

  • registration certificate
  • certificate of registration
  • valid identity card OR the registration card
  • registration code

Can I suspend a car online?

You can suspend your car online or at the registration desk. If you suspend the car online, you will need a DigiD. You can then do the suspension any time of the day, at a time that suits you. If you prefer to arrange the suspension through a counter, you can do this at a license plate counter, RDW counter or RDW inspection station.

Suspend car online

If you want to suspend the car online, you can follow the following step-by-step plan:

  1. Go to "Request suspension or renewal. This will take you to the DigiD screen where you can log in. Here you fill in the requested details, after which you will enter the RDW service
  2. Select the license plate number of the vehicle you want to suspend
  3. Choose how long you want to suspend the car: 1,2 or 3 years
  4. Pay the costs via iDeal

You will then receive an e-mail confirming the application. Only when you receive a second e-mail from the RDW is the license plate suspended. This e-mail also contains the end date of the suspension. You should print this e-mail and keep it in a safe place. This is your proof of the suspension.

Suspending a car at the vehicle registration office

If you want to suspend the car at the registration desk, you can follow the following steps:

  1. Go to a vehicle registration office, RDW testing station or RDW desk
  2. Bring the following documents with you: the registration certificate, the transfer certificate and a valid ID card OR the vehicle registration card, the registration code and a valid ID card
  3. Choose how long you want to suspend the car: 1,2 or 3 years
  4. Pay the costs

The license plate is immediately suspended. From the clerk, you will receive a suspension report that includes the end date of the suspension. You should keep this well, as it is your proof of the suspension.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of suspending a car?

There are advantages and disadvantages to suspending a car. You suspend a car if you plan not to use it for a while, for example because of a lengthy repair, because you are going abroad for a longer period of time, because you cannot drive it for a while due to surgery, or because the car is part of a collection and not intended for daily use. By suspending the car you avoid unnecessary costs because you no longer have to meet the vehicle obligations. As a result, you do not pay for the MOT, car insurance and motor vehicle taxes.

A disadvantage of suspending a car is that you can no longer drive it on public roads. If you do take your car onto public roads and you are checked, you will receive a hefty fine. In addition, a suspended car must always be on private property, such as in a locked garage. A public parking garage is still public road.

 

Car suspension RDW

Suspending a car is done through the National Road Administration (RDW). Suspension is very easy through the RDW website or at the license plate counter, an RDW counter or RDW inspection station. If you suspend the car online, you need a DigiD. If you suspend the car at a ticket office or RDW location, you must bring a valid ID. Are you selling a car whose license plate has been suspended? You don't have to do anything in that case. The suspension expires as soon as the seller has had the vehicle transferred to his/her name.

Storing a suspended car

A suspended car is not allowed on public roads. This means you have to park the car somewhere. If you enter public roads with the suspended car, you risk a hefty fine. A public parking garage or parking lot also falls under public roads. Do you have a vintage car? Then it is best to park it in a special old-timer garage. It meets all the conditions to protect your oldtimer as well as possible against the weather.

Car suspension rules

There are a number of rules for suspending a car:

  • The person who arranges the suspension of the car must be at least 18 years of age
  • The vehicle must be in your name
  • If the registered owner of the vehicle has died, you cannot apply for a suspension. The vehicle must first be transferred to the new owner's name

Parking a suspended car

A suspended car must always be on private property. This is because you are not allowed to drive or stand on public roads with a suspended car. A public parking garage is still a public road, which is why you are only allowed to park your suspended car in an enclosed garage or garage on your own property. If you do park in a public place, you risk a fine. A shame, because by suspending a car you actually save on costs, because you do not have to meet the vehicle obligations. Thus, you do not pay motor vehicle taxes or insurance premiums. Never park a suspended car on public roads, as this can cost you dearly.

Car suspension prolonged

When the suspension period expires, you can also choose to extend the suspension of the car. Extending the suspension can be done no later than the end date of the suspension. Extending the suspension can be done from a maximum of 6 weeks before the end date of the suspension. The expiration date then remains the same as the end date of the old suspension. When you extend the suspension before the maximum 6 weeks (before the end date of the suspension), you do not keep the old expiration date. The new expiration date is the date the new suspension is extended plus 1, 2 or 3 years. You will receive a reminder letter from the RDW 1 month before the suspension expires.

Car suspension penalty

If your car is suspended, you may not drive or stand with it on public roads. If you do, you risk a hefty fine. If you are stopped during a police check or checked during a registry check, you will be fined around €400. On top of that there may be an additional fine and additional charges. Quite an amount. It is in any case not advisable to drive your suspended car on public roads. Besides the fact that you are officially not allowed to drive a suspended car, you are also not insured. If you cause damage to your suspended car, all costs are for your own account. And in the event of damage, the costs can be substantial, not to mention personal injury.

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