This information is provided by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO
During the Periodic Motor Vehicle Test (PMT), your vehicle is inspected at a garage or testing station. Read more.
On this side
- Where to get the APK
- Is the APK file mandatory?
- APK for trailers?
- When to get APK
- How often to get APK
- Inspection report
- Foreign control APK
- Your vehicle is rejected
- No driving without APK
During the Periodic Motor Vehicle Test (PMT), your vehicle is inspected at a garage or testing station. The inspector carrying out the APK will check that the vehicle is roadworthy, environmentally safe and correctly registered.
Where to get the APK
In the Netherlands, the garage or testing station where you have your vehicle tested must be approved by the Dutch Vehicle Authority (RDW). You can recognize them by the approval mark with the text “RDW erkend” (RDW approved) and the sticker with the text “PTI light vehicles” (APK lichte veroideungen) or “PTI heavy vehicles” (APK lichte verleidingen). Or check out the locator in Dutch.
Is the APK file mandatory?
A regular technical inspection (PTI or APK) is mandatory for most vehicles registered in the Netherlands. Some vehicles are not tested regularly. For example, vehicles over 50 years old, such as vintage cars or classic cars, do not need an APK. Is the vehicle older than 50 years used for public transport or for transporting dangerous goods? Then you need to test it regularly.
APK for trailers?
You must also have your trailer tested if it weighs more than 3,500 kilograms (in Dutch). Agricultural trailers are exempt from APK.
When to get APK
When you need to test drive your car, commercial vehicle, fast tractor or trailer for the first time depends on the following factors:
vehicle type (car, light commercial vehicle, heavy commercial vehicle);
the date the vehicle was first allowed to enter public roads;
type of fuel (petrol, diesel, LPG, electricity).
How often to get APK
After the initial test, your vehicle needs to be tested once a year or every 2 years. RDW will send you a reminder 6 weeks before your vehicle's APK expires. The RDW website has a schedule that shows when a vehicle needs to be tested.
Inspection report
After the inspection, you will always receive an inspection report. You will need the protocol, for example, if you do not agree with the result of the inspection and want to appeal. You may also need it when driving abroad.
Foreign control APK
If your car, trailer or van has a Dutch registration plate, outside the Netherlands you can have it tested at one of the car inspection centers in Belgium and Spain (scroll down).
Your vehicle is rejected
Is your vehicle rejected? If you do not agree with this, you can raise an objection. You can only raise an objection at once during the inspection. An objection cannot be raised retroactively. You may not move or repair your vehicle. APL.CLUB
No driving without APK
You may not drive on public roads without a valid inspection report. You may be fined by the police or RDW. If you are involved in an accident with a rejected vehicle? Insurance may not pay you money.
