Most of what the Netherlands asks of a classic motorcycle also applies to a classic car, with one important difference: a car has an APK, the periodic inspection, and the interval changes with age.
APK: every two years from 30, none from 50
The RDW gives the schedule for cars up to 3,500 kg by age. A petrol, alcohol or electric car not older than 30 years is first inspected at 4 years, and then every 2 years twice and every year after that. A diesel or gas car is first inspected at 3 years and then every year. A car that is 30 years or older is inspected once every 2 years. A vehicle that is 50 years or older no longer has an APK obligation.
That means a car between 30 and 49 years old still needs a valid APK. Motorcycles, by contrast, never need an APK: see the Dutch rules for motorcycles.
Road tax
The motor vehicle tax exemption works the same way as for a motorcycle: at least 40 years old and first registered before 1 January 1988. For cars it is automatic. The transition scheme, a quarter of the normal tax with a maximum of €154 in 2025 and €158 in 2026 and no use or parking on the public road in January, February and December, is also open to cars that qualify by date.
Blue historic plates
The dark blue historic plates are for vehicles first used before 1 January 1978. Cars qualify as well as motorcycles, and the current registration must be in the old format. See the Dutch rules for the details.
Importing a classic car
A car from abroad has to be imported and registered with the RDW. The BPM, the Dutch tax on first registration, is not due on a motor vehicle that is 25 years or older, and it is due on younger vehicles. For the steps, see importing within the EU and importing from outside the EU, since the principles are the same. For a car from outside the EU, the RDW says older vehicles with a first registration before 1 January 1998 can be inspected at a normal inspection station instead of at the Lelystad test centre, though they still need a technical assessment.
Before you buy
- Ask for the date of first registration in writing. It decides APK, tax and plates.
- Ask when the last APK was done and see the report, if the car needs one.
- Read the classic car buying checklist.
