Car and Documents (insurance, registration, vehicle basics)

This guide explains the most important Dutch theory rules about car documents, insurance, registration, APK inspection and licence basics. These are common Category B exam topics and often appear in questions about legal responsibility, trailer limits, vehicle administration, and what is required before driving on a public road.

Why this topic matters

Many learners lose easy points in this category because the questions look simple, but they test exact conditions. The most common mistakes are mixing up trailer weight limits, misunderstanding APK timing, and assuming that a parked car does not need insurance or other legal obligations.

Key rules in 60 seconds

What the exam asks most often

• What is allowed with licence B and a trailer?
• When is a car due for APK?
• When is insurance still required, even if the car is not being used?
• What changes when a vehicle is officially suspended?
• Which administrative document belongs to the vehicle?

Detailed guide

Trailer rules: B, B+ (code 96), and BE

Trailer questions usually use maximum authorised mass (MAM), not the actual weight on that specific day. That is one of the most common exam traps.

Licence B

• Trailer up to 750 kg MAM is allowed.
• Trailer above 750 kg MAM is allowed only if car MAM + trailer MAM stays within 3,500 kg.

Licence B+ (code 96)

• Combination of car and trailer up to 4,250 kg.

Licence BE

• For heavier permitted combinations than B or B+ allow.

Beginner driver period

The beginner driver period is not always the same in every situation. In many normal Category B cases it is 5 years, but some first-licence situations can lead to a 7-year beginner period. On exam questions, read the age and first-licence details carefully.

APK inspection

A vehicle that is subject to APK must be inspected on time. The owner remains responsible for this.

Petrol, alcohol and electric passenger cars

• First APK after 4 years.
• Second APK after 2 years.
• Third APK after 2 years.
• After that, every year.

Diesel, gas and other fuels

• First APK after 3 years.
• After that, every year.

Practical exam tip: many learners confuse the petrol/electric schedule with the diesel/gas schedule.

Insurance: WA, WA+, and all-risk

In the Netherlands, a vehicle with an active registration normally needs at least WA insurance.

• WA: mandatory minimum cover for damage to others.
• WA+: broader cover, such as some theft or weather damage.
• All-risk: the most extensive cover level.

Not driving the car?

Even if you do not use the vehicle, legal obligations can still continue. If you want to pause those obligations, the vehicle must be officially suspended (schorsen).

Suspending a vehicle (schorsen)

If a vehicle is officially suspended, it may not stand on or drive on a public road.

• You do not pay motorrijtuigenbelasting.
• A valid WA insurance is not required during the suspension.
• A valid APK is not required during the suspension.

Registration and vehicle papers

• The vehicle is linked to its kentekenbewijs / kentekencard.
• The tenaamstellingscode is important for ownership actions such as selling or transferring the vehicle.
• Keep the administrative and ownership parts clearly separated in your exam logic.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using actual trailer weight instead of MAM in trailer questions.
• Thinking the beginner driver period is always exactly 5 years.
• Mixing up the APK schedules for petrol/electric and diesel/gas vehicles.
• Assuming an unused vehicle automatically no longer needs insurance or APK.
• Confusing the kentekencard with the tenaamstellingscode.

Quick FAQ

Relevant law and official framework

• WVW 1994 — Dutch road traffic law framework.
• WAM — mandatory motor vehicle liability insurance.
• RDW rules and registration system — vehicle registration, APK, and suspension.