800,000+ customers
27 locations
92% recommend us

How can I suspend my licence plate with the RDW?

If you cannot or will not use your car for an extended period of time, it may pay off to suspend the car 's license plate. If the license plate is suspended, you no longer have to meet the vehicle obligations, such as motor vehicle tax, MOT obligation and third-party insurance obligation. You can suspend your registration at the RDW. This can be done online or at a license plate counter, RDW inspection station or RDW desk. Are you wondering how exactly to suspend a license plate? On Alpina.nl we list all the information for you!

Get car insurance? Calculate your premium!

registration number suspension

How often may you suspend a licence plate?

The RDW allows you to suspend a vehicle registration as often as you want. When suspending your car, you choose a suspension period of 1, 2 or 3 years. After this period, the suspension will automatically expire. You can also choose to extend the suspension afterwards. You can extend the suspension period from a maximum of 6 weeks before the end date of the suspension. The expiry date will then remain the same as the expiry date of the old suspension. If you extend the suspension before the 6 weeks, you will not keep the old expiry date. The date you extend the suspension will then be the new expiry date after 1, 2 or 3 years. You will receive a reminder from RDW 1 month before the suspension expires.

Do you want to use your car again before the end of the suspension period? Then you can also lift the suspension.

Get car insurance? Calculate your premium!

Can I suspend my licence plate online?

Suspending the licence plate online is in most cases the fastest and easiest option. You can do this 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at a time that suits you. To suspend the licence plate of your car online, you can follow the next steps:

  1. Go to 'Requesting or extending a suspension'. You will then arrive at the DigiD screen where you can log in. Fill in the requested details, after which you will enter the RDW service.
  2. Select the registration 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 your application. The licence plate is not suspended until you receive a second e-mail from RDW. This e-mail also contains the end date of the suspension. You should print this e-mail and keep it safe. This is your proof of the suspension.

Can I suspend my license plate at a counter?

You can also choose to suspend the car's registration number at a registration desk or RDW location. You can do this by following the steps below:

  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 registration card, the registration code anda valid ID card
  3. Choose how long you want to suspend the car: 1, 2 or 3 years
  4. Pay the costs

The licence plate is suspended immediately. You will receive a suspension report from the clerk that will include the end date of the suspension. You should keep this in a safe place, as it is your proof of the suspension.

What does it cost to suspend a licence plate?

The RDW distinguishes between a normal rate and a low rate. Is your car younger than 15 years old? Then you pay the normal rate. If your car is older than 15 years, you pay the low rate. If you extend a suspension, this also falls under the low rate. In 2021, the following fees are charged for suspending a car:

Source: RDW
Duration of suspension Costs in 2021
Requesting or extending a suspension normal rate RDW €75,65
Applying for or extending a suspension at the RDW low rate €24,95
Application for suspension or extension RDW normal tariff for 2 years €100,60
Application for suspension or extension of low rate RDW for 2 years €49,90
Application for suspension or extension RDW normal tariff for 3 years €125,55
Application for suspension or extension of low rate RDW for 3 years €74,85

Calculate your car insurance premium immediately!

Now with free recovery service
  • To calculate premiums, we need the zip code of the primary driver. For private use, the youngest driver must reside at the same address as the applicant. In case of business use, you can enter the postal code of the company here.

We can be reached via Chat, Whatsapp, phone or email

Please feel free to contact us if you would like to know more.
We are here today until 18:00

get in touch