How can I de-register a car that is already outside the Netherlands?
If you have already moved abroad and taken your Dutch-registered car with you, you must cancel your Dutch registration. If you do not need an export certificate, you can do this online. If you do need an export certificate, you must return to the Netherlands in order to export your car.
Check if you need an export certificate
If your Dutch-registered car is already in your new country of residence and you wish to register it there, ask the local authorities if you need an export certificate. This proves that your car has been de-registered from the Netherlands’ vehicle registration database.
No export certificate needed: online export
If you do not need an export certificate, you can go ahead and register your car in your new country of residence. You can use the registration documents you receive to cancel your Dutch registration. Go to the website of the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) (information in Dutch) and apply to export your car. The RDW will assess your request within 5 working days.
After you have applied to export your car, go to steps 2, 4 and 5 in the step-by-step plan for exporting a car to see what else you need to do.
Export certificate needed: export your car from the Netherlands
If you need an export certificate, you must return to the Netherlands to apply to export your car. See the step-by-step plan for exporting a car to see how to do this.
What you also need to arrange if you’re going to move abroad
Check what else you need to arrange if you are going to move abroad
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