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Rumours go that as a non-resident it is forbidden to drive a Dutch registered car in the Netherlands, with rental cars being the exception. The rumours continue that this even applies to Dutch citizens, who got their initial drivers license in the Netherlands, but now live abroad. Being an example of the latter, I am wondering how factual these rumours are.

The other way around, i.e. letting a Dutch friend drive my Belgian registered car in the Netherlands is forbidden on the grounds that it is considered tax evasion. The Netherlands has a hefty car tax called (BPM) which is easily evaded by driving a car from a neighbouring country. However, that does not apply to me driving a Dutch registered car in the Netherlands. I don't see how I would be evading taxes.

This topic is quite extensively discussed on different fora, but what is said in different posts is quite contradictory.

Does anyone know an authoritative answer on this matter.

Since I like traveling, it would be nice if the answer applies to the rest of the EU, or even the world.

Community
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2 Answers2

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This is the official page about foreign driving licenses in The Netherlands: http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/rijbewijs/vraag-en-antwoord/mag-ik-met-mijn-buitenlandse-rijbewijs-in-nederland-aan-het-verkeer-deelnemen.html

What it boils down to is this, you need a valid driving license from a EU country (and a few more) to drive a motor vehicle. The car and it's papers need to be OK of course, and it is allowed for a limited period only, if you take residency in The Netherlands you need to get an NL license at some point, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. So for the legal part you should be fine. (Note that you couldn't rent a car if this wasn't true)

There is a catch though, you need to be driving with a valid car insurance. So do check the terms on the insurance of your friends car, the might forbid him from borrowing the car to foreigners. For example OHRA specifically won't pay out when the car is borrowed to someone without a valid dutch license (see 'Randvoorwaarden'). I also checked my own insurance, they simply state the driver should legally be allowed to drive the car, no specific requirement for a Dutch license. When in doubt call the insurance company, they may also have some sort of arrangement for these kind of situations.

This is where the confusion arises, legally you are allowed to drive any car, but insurance on the car may not allow it.

Note that driving uninsured is a criminal offense, getting caught will be expensive, being involved in an accident even more so.

AVee
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You can drive in Holland with a Dutch car, rental or borrowed as a foreign person. This unless you have valid drivers-license, The CAR is insured and it had his annual safety-check (APK). Just make sure you have an international driverslicense to get no problems or questions. I think it's even neccesary.

A Dutch person is not allowed to drive a foreign-registered car inside the Netherlands, cause of the tax(evading)-issue. For incidental use you can get/ask for a permission for 14 days at the Dutch tax-bureau...

Ramon
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