Road tax calculator Netherlands

What is road tax?

Road tax, also known as motor vehicle tax, is a fee you pay if you own a vehicle that is less than 40 years old. In Dutch, road tax is called motorrijtuigenbelasting or wegenbelasting. One of the main things that road tax in the Netherlands is used for is to help maintain the Dutch roads.

How to calculate road tax

You can calculate Dutch road tax using your vehicle’s registration number. The amount you pay depends on several factors:

• The weight of your car
• Whether your car runs on diesel, electricity, or gasoline
• How environmentally friendly your car is
• The province you live in

Road tax costs can vary by as much as € 100 per year between regions. Payment of Dutch road tax is done monthly, through direct debit, or via giro transfer.

Road tax exemptions

Classic cars over 40 years old are exempt from road tax in the Netherlands. For plug-in hybrid cars, you typically pay a reduced rate. In some cases, a car with a foreign license plate is also exempt from road tax.

Zero-emission cars

In 2025, electric cars in the Netherlands will no longer be fully exempt from road tax. Instead, owners of zero-emission passenger cars will receive a 75% discount on the motor vehicle tax. From 2026 you will pay the full rate.

Plug-in hybrid cars

Plug-in hybrid cars with emissions of up to 50 grams of CO2 per kilometer get a 25% discount on road tax in 2025. Just like zero-emission cars, you will pay the full rate from 2026.

Selling, scrapping, or suspending your car? No more road tax

When you sell or scrap your car, you no longer have to pay road tax. Keep in mind that both options require some paperwork and a fee. Scrapping your car is free of charge. In most cases you will get a cash payment, depending on the size and weight of your car.

Selling your car

If you sell your car to a private buyer, the registration must be transferred to the new owner’s name at a PostNL office. You will receive a notice of release of liability, and the tax authority will automatically stop billing you for road tax. Make sure you know the value of your car before selling your car.

Suspending your car

If you are not going to use your car for a while, you can suspend your car’s registration number at the RDW or a PostNL office. Suspension involves a fee. Once it’s suspended, you are no longer required to pay road tax.

Getting a new car or moving

If you’re buying a new car or moving to a different area, your road tax rate may change. Use our Dutch road tax calculator to recalculate the amount based on your new situation.

How to save on car costs

Looking to lower your road tax? Consider switching to an electric or plug-in hybrid car. Not planning to buy a new car? You can still save money by comparing car insurance options. Checking if your current policy is still the best deal or switching to a more affordable insurer could help reduce your overall costs.