Rules for agricultural and construction vehicles

Do you own agricultural and/or construction vehicles? You must register these vehicles with the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW).

Registration requirement for (agricultural) construction vehicles

The registration requirement applies to vehicles in use that can exceed 6 km/h. There are exceptions for some vehicles. 

You have to register the following types of agricultural/construction vehicles with the RDW (in Dutch):

• wheeled tractors for agriculture and forestry
• tracked tractors for agriculture and forestry
• trailers for agriculture and forestry
• interchangeable towed machinery, such as a fertiliser tanker, baler, or rotary rake
• mobile machinery (for example a forklift truck or excavator)

You can check if your vehicle must be approved or registered with RDW’s tool (in Dutch). 

You can find the costs for registration on RDW's website (in Dutch).

Registration check

You need to register both new vehicles and vehicles that are already in use. For some motorised vehicles you do not need to register. You can check if your vehicle needs to be registered with the RDW’s Dutch-language tool.

Vehicle inspection

Before you can register you agricultural or construction vehicle, you must have it inspected by the RDW. You can make an appointment to have your vehicle tested at an RDW testing station or at your business premises (in Dutch).

Insurance obligation

If you have registered your vehicle then you must have third-party liability insurance (WA-verzekering). Whether you drive it or not. There is no insurance requirement for tractor-drawn machinery and trailers

Periodical technical inspection (APK) for tractors

Do you own a tractor for agriculture or forestry that can exceed 40 km/h? You must have your tractor tested periodically (in Dutch). Some tractors are not subject to the APK requirement.