Contents
Prices, fees and rules in this article were checked on 28 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked pages before you decide.
The APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring) is the compulsory periodic inspection for most vehicles in the Netherlands. According to the RDW, the Dutch vehicle authority, a new petrol or electric car must have its first APK when it is 4 years old, then every 2 years until it is 8, and then every year. Diesel and gas cars need their first APK at 3 years and then every year. You cannot get a postponement, not even if the car is parked or you are abroad, and if your APK has expired for more than two months the CJIB sends a fine. Under the official fines table in force since 1 September 2026, that is €190 for a car up to 3,500 kg and €500 for a heavier vehicle. This guide explains the schedule, the inspection, the rules on fines and suspension, and what to do if your car fails.
1. APK at a glance
| Question | Answer from the RDW |
|---|---|
| Who needs an APK? | Most vehicles. Mopeds, motorbikes, trailers up to 3,500 kg and mobile machines have no APK obligation |
| Where? | At an RDW-approved APK garage (sign: “RDW erkend”) |
| What does it cost? | The price differs per garage |
| Reminder | The RDW sends one letter 6 weeks before the APK expires, by post or to your Berichtenbox |
| Postponement | Not possible, with no exceptions |
| Fine if expired | €190 for a vehicle up to 3,500 kg, €500 above 3,500 kg, if not inspected within 2 months of expiry (Wahv annex, codes K 045 and K 046) |
| Early inspection | From 2 months before the expiry date without losing your date |
Source: RDW pages “Over de APK” and “Wanneer en hoe vaak APK keuren”, checked 28 October 2026.
2. When your car needs an APK
The RDW counts a vehicle’s age from the date it was first admitted to the road (datum eerste toelating). For cars, campers and heavy three-wheelers up to 3,500 kg:
| Age | Fuel | When to inspect |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 years | Petrol, alcohol and/or electricity | First at 4 years, then twice every 2 years, then every year from 8 years |
| Up to 30 years | Diesel, gas or other (possibly combined with electricity) | First at 3 years, then every year |
| 30 years or older | All | Once every 2 years |
| 50 years or older | All | No APK obligation |
Source: RDW, “Wanneer en hoe vaak APK keuren”, checked 28 October 2026.
Heavier vehicles (above 3,500 kg) and ambulances need an APK every year from the age of 1. Taxis, buses and vehicles for dangerous goods also need one every year from the age of 1. To find the exact date for your vehicle, use the RDW kentekencheck (number plate check): the APK date is under the tab “vervaldata en historie”. The RDW Voertuigapp also lets you set your own APK reminder.
3. How the APK inspection works
- Book a garage. Make an appointment with an RDW-approved APK garage, recognisable by the sign with the text “RDW erkend”. The RDW advises booking well in advance, because garages can be busy, especially in holiday periods.
- No documents needed. You do not have to bring the registration certificate or a previous inspection report.
- Inspection. The garage’s APK inspector checks the vehicle against the legal requirements.
- Report. You get an APK inspection report, also if the car fails. Ask for it if you do not receive it. It shows the new expiry date and any repair, rejection and advice points.
In the Netherlands you do not need to carry the APK report in the car. If you drive abroad, the RDW advises taking it with you. The RDW also carries out random checks to see whether inspections are done correctly; if your vehicle is selected, you must cooperate.
The RDW warns against illegal online APK offers. If it finds that a vehicle was approved illegally, the APK date lapses and the vehicle must be inspected again.
4. What the inspector checks
According to the RDW, the APK covers three areas:
- Road safety: brakes, suspension, shock absorbers, tyres, steering, lights and bodywork.
- Environment: exhaust emissions and the presence of parts such as a particulate filter and catalytic converter.
- Registration: mileage, vehicle identification number and the fuel used.
Specific tests the RDW mentions:
- Particulate filter test for diesels. Since 1 January 2023 this is a compulsory part of the APK for all diesel vehicles with a particulate filter. For diesels without a filter from build year 1980, the inspector measures soot emissions.
- Four-gas measurement. For petrol or LPG cars with a regulated catalytic converter from build year 1993 or later, the inspector checks that exhaust emissions stay within the legal limit.
- Fuel data. For cars up to 3,500 kg first registered from 1 January 2021, the inspector reads out fuel and electricity consumption data, which the RDW sends anonymously to the European Environment Agency. You may refuse this.
5. No postponement: fines and suspending your car
The RDW is clear that a postponement is not possible, with no exceptions: not when you are abroad, not when the car is in your garage and not when it failed and still needs repairs. Driving without a valid APK can lead to a police fine.
The RDW also checks the registration register. If the car is not being driven, the APK may be expired for at most two months. If the vehicle has still not been inspected after two months, you receive a fine from the CJIB. The RDW gives a range of €180 to €500; the fines annex of the Wahv in force since 1 September 2026 sets €190 for a vehicle up to 3,500 kg (code K 045) and €500 for a vehicle above 3,500 kg (code K 046), plus €9 administrative costs.
To avoid these fines when you do not use the car, you can suspend it (schorsen) with the RDW. During a suspension the car does not need an APK, and the RDW notes that the insurance obligation and road tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting) also stop. You may not drive the car or park it on a public road. When the suspension ends, the car must have a valid APK, unless you extend the suspension.
You may drive a suspended car, or one without a valid APK, from your home address to the garage or RDW inspection station around the time of your appointment. The car must have WA insurance that day, and you must carry the appointment confirmation showing the time. The inspector must register the inspection the same day, also if the car fails. Our guide to insurance in the Netherlands explains the WA requirement.
6. Inspecting early without losing time
You can have your car inspected from 2 months before the expiry date without changing your APK date: the new date becomes the same day, 1 or 2 years later. If you inspect earlier than 2 months before, the vehicle gets a new date from the inspection day.
The RDW gives this example. Your APK expires on 20 September 2025. If you have it inspected on 23 July 2025, the new expiry date is 20 September 2026 or 2027. If you have it inspected on 19 July 2025, more than two months early, the new date is 19 July 2026 or 2027.
7. If your car fails, or you are abroad
Failed before the expiry date. If you inspect early and the car fails, the inspector must report this to the RDW, but you still meet the APK obligation until your current APK date, and you do not get a fine for that. The RDW leaves it to you whether to drive a rejected car, and lists the risks: the police can fine you if the car does not meet the technical requirements, and your insurer can decide not to pay out after an accident.
Disagree with the result. If you doubt a rejection or approval, you can report it to the RDW or file an objection.
Abroad. Your vehicle must also have a valid APK when you are abroad. According to the RDW, an APK can only be carried out abroad in Spain and Belgium.
If you are new to driving in the Netherlands, see our guides to exchanging a foreign driving licence and Dutch traffic fines.
8. FAQ
How often does a car need an APK in the Netherlands?
A petrol or electric car: first at 4 years, then every 2 years until 8 years, then every year. A diesel or gas car: first at 3 years, then every year. Cars of 30 years or older every 2 years, and from 50 years no APK.
How much does an APK cost?
The RDW says the price differs per garage.
Can I postpone my APK?
No. The RDW states that postponement is not possible, with no exceptions.
What is the fine for an expired APK?
If the car is not inspected within two months of expiry, the CJIB sends a fine: €190 for a vehicle up to 3,500 kg and €500 above 3,500 kg under the Wahv annex in force since 1 September 2026, plus €9 administrative costs. Driving without a valid APK can also lead to a police fine.
Can I drive to the garage without a valid APK?
Yes, from your home to the garage around the appointment time, with WA insurance and the appointment confirmation with you.
Do electric cars need an APK?
Yes. Electric cars follow the same schedule as petrol cars: first at 4 years, then every 2 years until 8 years, then every year.
🇳🇱 Dutch Corner
| Dutch | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| de APK | periodic vehicle inspection | Mijn auto moet volgende maand voor de APK. (My car needs its APK next month.) |
| de keuring | inspection | De keuring is morgen om negen uur. (The inspection is tomorrow at nine.) |
| goedgekeurd | approved | De auto is goedgekeurd. (The car passed.) |
| afgekeurd | rejected, failed | De auto is afgekeurd op de remmen. (The car failed on the brakes.) |
| de vervaldatum | expiry date | De vervaldatum staat op het rapport. (The expiry date is on the report.) |
| schorsen | to suspend (a vehicle) | Ik laat mijn auto schorsen. (I am having my car suspended.) |
| het kenteken | number plate | Vul je kenteken in. (Enter your number plate.) |
Sources
- RDW: Over de APK (inspection, checks, reminder, postponement, fines, suspension, early inspection; checked 28 October 2026)
- RDW: Wanneer en hoe vaak APK keuren (checked 28 October 2026)
- RDW: APK overview (APK abroad, objections; checked 28 October 2026)
- wetten.overheid.nl: Wahv annex, version in force from 1 September 2026 (codes K 045 and K 046; checked 28 October 2026)
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