Car and Documents (insurance, registration, vehicle basics)

This guide summarises the most important Dutch theory rules about car documents, insurance, registration (kenteken), APK inspection and licence basics — exactly the topics that appear often in the CBR theory exam.

Key rules in 60 seconds (CBR-style)

What the CBR exam asks most often

• Which documents must be shown in a police check?
• When is a car APK due (4–2–2–1 vs 3–1–1)?
• When is insurance mandatory, even if you don’t drive the car?
• What is allowed with licence B + trailer (750 kg vs 3,500 kg combined)?
• Beginner driver duration and consequences (stricter rules).

Detailed guide

Trailer rules: B vs B+ (code 96) vs BE

• Exam tip: questions usually use maximum authorised mass (MAM), not “how heavy it is today”.

Licence B

• Trailer MAM ≤ 750 kg ✅
• Trailer MAM > 750 kg ✅ only if car MAM + trailer MAM ≤ 3,500 kg

Licence B+ (code 96)

• Allows combinations up to 4,250 kg (car + trailer MAM).

Licence BE

• Needed when the combination exceeds what B/B+ allows (CBR expects you to recognise when BE is required).

APK inspection (how often and why it matters)

A car must have a valid APK. Enforcement can happen even if you don’t use the vehicle (administrative checks exist).

Petrol / alcohol / electric (passenger cars)

• First APK at 4 years.
• Then at 6 years.
• Then at 8 years.
• Then every year.

Diesel / gas / other fuels

• First APK at 3 years.
• Then every year.

Practical tip: RDW reminders are typically sent before expiry, but the responsibility remains with the owner.

Insurance (WA / WA+ / All-risk)

In the Netherlands, you must have at least third-party liability insurance (WA) for a vehicle with an active licence plate.

• WA (mandatory minimum): covers damage you cause to others.
• WA+ (limited comprehensive): covers some damage to your own car (e.g., theft, storm).
• All-risk (fully comprehensive): covers most damage, including many self-caused damages.

Not driving the car? Insurance can still be required

• Insurance is generally mandatory even if the car sits unused — unless you officially suspend the licence plate (schorsen).

Suspending a vehicle (schorsen): when you can stop paying

If you suspend your vehicle:

• you don’t pay road tax,
• you don’t need WA insurance,
• you don’t need a valid APK.

But: the vehicle is not allowed to be on a public road (not driving, not parking on the street — it must be on private property).

Registration certificate: kentekencard + tenaamstellingscode

• The registration certificate includes the kentekencard.
• The tenaamstellingscode is needed for selling/transferring the vehicle (keep it safe).
• Exam focus: you must be able to show the registration certificate in checks; the code is for ownership actions.

Green card & accident statement (useful for travel)

• The Green Card is an international insurance certificate. Usually not required to carry in NL, but recommended when travelling abroad (rules vary).
• The European Accident Statement is typically not mandatory, but very helpful if an accident happens (especially abroad).

Common mistakes to avoid

• Confusing actual weight with maximum authorised mass (MAM) in trailer questions.
• Thinking “I don’t drive the car, so I don’t need insurance” (often false unless you schors the vehicle).
• Mixing up APK schedules: petrol/electric 4–2–2–1, diesel/gas 3–1–1.
• Carrying copies instead of original documents.

FAQ

Relevant law (high-level, exam-friendly)

• WVW 1994: APK obligation and traffic rules framework.
• WAM: mandatory motor vehicle liability insurance (WA).