Transport & Logistics

Many municipalities restrict the times when trucks may load and unload goods to prevent noise nuisance for local residents. Loading and unloading at night and in the early morning hours is typically prohibited in residential areas. If your business needs to receive or dispatch deliveries outside the permitted hours, you can apply for an exemption from the municipality.This applies to businesses with non-standard operating hours, such as bakeries with early morning deliveries, hospitality venues with late-night restocking, or businesses handling urgent freight. The exemption sets conditions to minimize noise, which may include using electric equipment, closing vehicle doors quietly, and avoiding engine idling. Each municipality sets its own restricted hours and application procedures.

Issued by: Municipality

Port dues (havengeld) is a municipal levy imposed on ships entering a municipal port. This levy is intended to cover the costs of port management, maintenance of quays and port infrastructure. Port dues are calculated based on the transshipment (cargo) and/or mooring fees (use of berths).Specific port management regulations (havenbeheersverordening) and port dues regulations apply to the industrial port. Ships entering the port must register with the bridge operator or harbour master and report the transshipment. Based on this report and the bill of lading (laadbrief), the port dues are calculated and invoiced.

Issued by: Municipality

If your business operates in or around a municipal port, you must comply with the local port by-law (havenverordening). This applies to shipping companies, port service providers, bunkering operations, and any business using port facilities. The by-law sets rules on vessel registration, berth allocation, safety, and preventing nuisance.For activities that fall outside the standard rules, you can request an exemption from the harbour master. Applications are handled by the port authority or municipality. Requirements vary by port, so check with your local harbour master or municipal port authority for the specific rules and procedures that apply.

Issued by: Municipality

Residents, entrepreneurs and employees can request a public charging station for electric vehicles from the municipality. This request is submitted to the municipality, which assesses whether the location is suitable for placing a charging station.After approval of the request by the municipality, the charging station is installed by an energy company, often in cooperation with the municipality. The applicant does not have to install or pay for the charging station themselves; this is arranged by the energy company. The charging station becomes part of the public charging station network.

Issued by: Municipality

A mooring permit (ligplaatsvergunning) for a houseboat (woonboot or woonark) grants the indefinite right to occupy a mooring with your houseboat in municipal waters. The permit is only available for existing and registered moorings.To obtain a mooring permit, you must purchase an existing houseboat with a valid mooring permit. You can then submit a request to have the permit transferred to your name. The municipality assesses whether all conditions are met and may impose additional requirements on the houseboat and mooring.

Issued by: Municipality

A parking exemption (parkeerontheffing) is a permit that allows businesses to park in places or at times where this is normally not permitted. This exemption is primarily intended for businesses that need to carry out work in areas with parking restrictions, such as city centers.The exemption is issued by the municipality and makes it possible to park business vehicles while performing work. You can link multiple license plates to one exemption, but only one vehicle may use the exemption at a time.

Issued by: Municipality

A parking exemption for car dealerships allows automotive businesses to park vehicles on or along public roads as part of their operations. This exemption is necessary for businesses involved in vehicle sales, repair, maintenance, or body work that need to temporarily park customer or stock vehicles in regulated parking zones.The exemption is issued by the municipality and is subject to conditions designed to prevent nuisance to residents and maintain traffic safety. Requirements typically include limits on the number of vehicles, designated parking areas, and time restrictions. The application must describe the nature of the business, the number of vehicles expected, and the intended parking locations. Fees and conditions vary by municipality.

Issued by: Municipality

A parking permit is intended for residents who live in an area with paid parking and do not have their own parking space. With this permit, you may park in the designated zone near your home. Most municipalities limit the number of permits per address, typically to one or two.The parking permit is issued by the municipality and is usually valid for one calendar year. Costs vary by municipality and may differ between the first and second permit at the same address. You can apply through your municipality's website or at the municipal service desk. Some municipalities also offer visitor permits and business parking permits under separate schemes.

Issued by: Municipality

For the transport of dangerous goods by road, specific routes are designated under the Wet vervoer gevaarlijke stoffen. Vehicles carrying hazardous materials must follow these mandatory routes for loading and unloading. If your transport requires using roads outside the designated routes, you must obtain a route obligation exemption from the municipality.This exemption is typically needed by logistics companies, fuel distributors, and chemical transporters making deliveries to locations not directly on the mandatory routes. You apply at the municipality where the deviation takes place, specifying the route, substance class, and duration.

Issued by: Municipality or Province

A navigation permit (vaarvergunning) is required to operate a motorboat or other motorized vessel on many Dutch waterways. Municipalities, water boards and Rijkswaterstaat each manage their own waters and set their own rules for which vessels need a permit. Permits are typically available as day, week or season passes.On most inland waters a general speed limit applies, often between 6 and 20 km/h. If you want to go faster, you need a separate speed exemption (snelvaarontheffing). Requirements vary by location: some waters require a valid boating license (vaarbewijs), while others have restrictions on engine power, noise or wake.

Issued by: Municipality or Water Board

A water traffic decision (waterverkeersbesluit) is a formal decision that regulates traffic on public waterways. It can impose speed limits, restrict certain vessel types, designate zones for specific activities such as water sports or commercial shipping, or close waterways temporarily for events or maintenance.If your business activity on the water conflicts with a waterverkeersbesluit, you may need an exemption. This applies to charter companies, ferry operators, water sports businesses, and floating venues. Exemptions are granted by the municipality or the relevant water authority (waterschap) and ensure that the activity can take place safely.

Issued by: Municipality

A Road Traffic Act exemption (Wegenverkeerswet ontheffing) is required when you want to organize or do something on the public road that is normally not permitted under traffic rules. This can involve temporary deviations from traffic signs, organizing events, placing obstacles on the road, or other activities that affect traffic.Depending on the type of road on which the activity takes place, you apply for the exemption from different authorities: from the municipality for municipal roads, from the province for provincial roads, or from Rijkswaterstaat for national highways. The exemption contains conditions to ensure road safety.

Issued by: Municipality / Province / Rijkswaterstaat

Drivers who transport dangerous goods by road need an ADR certificate (Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises Dangereuses par Route). This certificate demonstrates that the driver is qualified to safely transport dangerous goods.To obtain the ADR certificate, you must complete an approved training course and pass an examination. The certificate is issued by CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen), the Dutch driving test organisation. The certificate is valid for five years, after which you must pass a refresher examination to renew it.

Issued by: CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen)

The General Periodic Inspection (Algemene Periodieke Keuring - APK) is a mandatory inspection for motor vehicles in the Netherlands to verify compliance with legal requirements regarding safety and environment. The inspection must be carried out by an approved APK inspection station and is required for cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles.When a vehicle fails the APK inspection, it may no longer be used on the road until the identified defects have been remedied. If you disagree with the inspection result, you can file an objection with the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW - Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer).

Issued by: Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW)

An inland waterway certificate is needed if you are going to sail with a large pleasure craft on Dutch inland waterways. This certificate is a technical safety document proving that the vessel meets legal requirements for construction, equipment, and safety.The certificate is issued by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. It is mandatory for pleasure craft with a length of more than 20 meters sailing on Dutch inland waterways where the Inland Waterway Police Regulations apply.

Issued by: Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management / Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate

An individual vehicle approval is required for vehicles that do not have a valid EU type approval. This applies, for example, to self-built, imported, or modified vehicles. The Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) assesses whether the vehicle meets Dutch safety and environmental requirements.After approval, the owner receives an approval certificate with which the vehicle can be registered and inspected. The procedure is carried out by the RDW and is based on Article 98 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 (Wegenverkeerswet 1994).

Issued by: Netherlands Vehicle Authority

Operator registration for unmanned aircraft systems (drones) is mandatory under EU Regulation 2019/947 for owners and users of drones. This registration ensures that drone operators are identifiable and accountable for their flights. Registration is required when the drone weighs 250 grams or more, is equipped with a camera or microphone, or is used commercially.In the Netherlands, drone operator registration is handled by the RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority). You register online through the RDW portal, receive a unique operator number, and must display this number on all your drones. The registration is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Issued by: RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority)

A speed limiter (snelheidsbegrenzer) is a mandatory technical device for certain categories of commercial vehicles and buses. Vehicles over 3,500 kg used for goods transport must be limited to 90 km/h, while buses for passenger transport are limited to 100 km/h. This requirement is based on EU regulations and Dutch vehicle regulations (Regeling voertuigen).The speed limiter must be installed and calibrated by an RDW-approved workshop. After installation, a calibration certificate is issued that must be kept in the vehicle. The device is checked during periodic vehicle inspections (APK). Operating a vehicle without a required speed limiter is a traffic violation that can result in fines and vehicle immobilization.

Issued by: Netherlands Vehicle Authority

The taxi driver card (chauffeurskaart taxi) is a mandatory identification card for anyone who provides professional passenger transport by taxi. The card proves that the driver has passed the required taxi examination and is authorized to work as a taxi driver in the Netherlands. Without a valid driver card, it is illegal to transport passengers for hire.The card is issued by KIWA Register on behalf of the government, based on the Passenger Transport Act 2000 (Wet personenvervoer 2000). To obtain the card, you must pass the taxi driver examination, hold a valid Dutch driving license, and meet medical fitness requirements. The card is valid for five years and must be visibly displayed in the vehicle.

Issued by: KIWA Register

The taxi approval (taxi goedkeuring) is a mandatory vehicle inspection for any car used for taxi passenger transport. The RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) must inspect and register your vehicle before you may use it as a taxi. This applies to both new vehicles entering taxi service and existing taxis undergoing periodic re-inspection.The inspection covers safety features such as seatbelts, lighting, tire condition, brakes, and taxi-specific equipment including the taximeter and roof sign. The approval is based on Article 3.1.2 of the Vehicle Regulations (Regeling voertuigen). You book the inspection directly with the RDW. Vehicles that fail must be repaired and re-inspected before they may carry passengers.

Issued by: RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority)

The taxi operator card (ondernemerskaart taxi) is a mandatory card for entrepreneurs who operate a taxi business. The card demonstrates that the operator meets all legal requirements for running a taxi company, including professional competence, financial standing, and good repute. Without a valid operator card, it is illegal to offer taxi transport services.The card is issued by KIWA Register on behalf of the government, based on the Passenger Transport Act 2000 (Wet personenvervoer 2000). Applicants must provide proof of professional competence (a diploma or equivalent), a certificate of good conduct (VOG), and evidence of sufficient financial resources. The card is valid for five years and must be renewed before expiry.

Issued by: KIWA Register

The taxi information card is a mandatory document that must be visibly displayed in every taxi for passengers. It shows the fares charged by the taxi company and the procedure for filing complaints. The card is produced by the taxi operator themselves, not issued by a government agency, and must comply with the format requirements in the Regulation on Maximum Fares and Disclosure of Taxi Transport Fares.All taxi operators in the Netherlands are required to display this card in their vehicles. The card promotes fare transparency and gives passengers clear information about their rights. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) can enforce compliance during roadside inspections.

Issued by: Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate

The taxi driver certificate (taxichauffeur getuigschrift) is a mandatory credential for anyone who wants to work as a professional taxi driver in the Netherlands. The certificate proves you have the knowledge and skills required for safe and professional passenger transport.You obtain the certificate by passing an examination that covers traffic regulations, customer service, route planning, operating the taximeter, and handling emergency situations. The exam is administered by CBR (the Dutch driving test organization) based on the Public Transport Passenger Transport Decree 2000 (Besluit personenvervoer 2000). You must also hold a valid driving license and a medical fitness declaration. The certificate is valid for five years and must be renewed.

Issued by: Accredited Examination Institute

The business stock recognition (bedrijfsvoorraaderkenning) is a registration issued by the RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) that allows vehicle dealers to place cars and other motor vehicles in their business inventory. Without this recognition, you cannot use the business stock scheme under the Road Traffic Act 1994 (Wegenverkeerswet 1994).Car dealerships, motorcycle traders, and other motor vehicle businesses that buy and sell vehicles need this recognition to temporarily register vehicles in their stock without assigning them to a specific owner. This simplifies administration for trade vehicles. The RDW assesses your application based on your business registration, premises, and administrative systems. The recognition can be revoked if you fail to comply with the conditions.

Issued by: Netherlands Vehicle Authority

If you need to transport goods that exceed the standard legal limits for dimensions, weight, or load composition, you need a special transport exemption (bijzonder transportontheffing). This applies to oversized loads such as construction equipment, wind turbine parts, prefab building sections, or other heavy or wide cargo that cannot be divided into smaller loads.You request the exemption through the RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority), which coordinates with the relevant road authorities: the municipality, province, or Rijkswaterstaat, depending on which roads the transport will use. The exemption specifies the route, timing, and any escort requirements. Processing times vary based on the complexity of the route and the number of road authorities involved.

Issued by: Province / RDW

A waterway use permit (vergunning vaarweggebruik) is required when you wish to transport special goods over a waterway, such as a canal or river, or when you wish to operate a vessel that is larger than permitted. The permit regulates the use of the waterway for exceptional transports.The permit is applied for via the Digital Counter for Special Transport (Digitaal loket bijzonder transport, DLBT) and is issued by the competent authority managing the relevant waterway, such as a water authority (hoogheemraadschap) or province. The rules are set out in the Binnenvaartpolitiereglement (Inland Waterway Police Regulations).

Issued by: Rijnland Water Authority