Netherlands license plate (NL) in 2026 ✅
The car license plates of the Netherlands since 2015 use the European size, in black on a yellow background. On the left side the Euroband is shown with the international code NL (The Netherlands in English). The current configuration of license plates in Holland or the Netherlands is three letters, two numbers and one letter, but this varies every few years to complete the previous series.
Language: Dutch
International code: NL
In Netherlands they drive on the right
First plate was registered on: 1898.
There are 5 2 8 cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Europe
Table of contents of Netherlands license plates
Current Netherlands car license plates
The current Netherlands car license plates use distinctive black characters on a yellow background with the standard European size. The numbering configuration of Dutch car registration plates varies depending on the period and the type of vehicle, as well as the background colors. In the date section, you can find the registration dates of Netherlands car license plates. In addition, the Dutch license plate is linked to the vehicle, not the owner. Netherlands bicycle carrier trailer plates use the same configuration as the ordinary system but in black on white. On June 18, 2024, the current NNN-00-N format was introduced.
Some number combinations can identify certain special vehicles, as explained below in this section. However, if the registration plate starts with V, it identifies vans under 3.5 tonnes.
History of Netherlands license plates
The Netherlands has had several changes in its vehicle registration system. Since 1951, a system made up of three groups of characters has been maintained. Since February 2000, the European blue band with the NL country code has been used on the left side of the plate. The position of the letters in the combination changes with each new series. Since 1978, plates have used black characters on a yellow background. From 1951 to 1978, plates used white characters on a dark blue background. In this first type of registration plate, letters were first used in the first position, then in the third, and finally in the second. Below, you can find a brief summary of how the ordinary Dutch car registration system works.
| Period of use | Format | Image |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-present | NNN-00-N |  |
| 2019-2024 | N-000-NN |  |
| 2015-2019 | NN-000-N |  |
| 2013-2015 | 0-NNN-00 |  |
| 2008-2013 | 00-NNN-0 |  |
| 1999-2008 | 00-NN-NN |  |
| 1991-1999 | NN-NN-00 |  |
| 1978-1991 | NN-00-NN |  |
| 1973-1978 | 00-NN-00 |  |
| 1965-1973 | 00-00-NN |  |
| 1951-1965 | NN-00-00 |  |
In 1906, the registration plate format became "xx-ddddd" with white characters on a dark blue background, where "xx" represented the provincial code, and "ddddd" represented the serial number. (See map below). Once the number 99999 was reached, a new number was added directly after the regional letter, something that only happened in two provinces, G and H. This system remained in use until 1951, when the current Dutch registration system was introduced.
The Netherlands was one of the first countries in the world to introduce a vehicle registration system. In February 1898, the first registration plate was issued, using a serial numbering system starting from 1, either in white on black or black on white.
Stolen or lost license plates
When a license plate is stolen or lost, the vehicle receives a small number above the first dash shown between the first two groups of characters. The total number of times a plate can be replaced is 19. Up to number 9, the number is shown at the top of the dash. From replacement number 10 to 19, the second digit is shown above the dash. It is rare to find a plate with a number higher than 4. This sub-numbering system is also used on motorcycles and vans, with a small exception for American-sized registration plates, where the number is shown in the lower left corner. The cost of remaking a Dutch registration plate is approximately at least €25, although it depends on the company producing the plate.
Other registration systems
The Netherlands has a large number of special license plates and different registration systems depending on the type of vehicle. Below you can find the main systems, with explanations, key details, and images.
How Netherlands export license plates work
In 2014, Netherlands export license plates underwent small changes in their configuration, adopting the same format as ordinary registration plates but with black characters on a white background. These Dutch registration plates are only used for vehicles previously registered in the Netherlands and have a maximum validity of 14 days. A green sticker label from the exporting company may appear somewhere on the plate to provide official recognition and avoid issues with foreign police authorities. Export registration plates can be self-manufactured without the use of black borders.
On the other hand, temporary transit plates issued within the national borders keep the same format and coding used in the previous system, with a validity of 14 days and intended only for vehicles that have never used Dutch registration plates.
Old Netherlands export license plates
Old Netherlands export registration plates since 2014 have black characters on a white background and no special meaning in the combination. Between 1991 and December 31, 2013, these registration plates had a complex coding system where each character had a specific meaning, as shown in the following image.
Netherlands trailer license plates
The Netherlands trailer license plates use the same configuration and design as ordinary plates, with a format of two letters, two numbers, and two letters in sequence. The first letter on Netherlands trailer registration plates is O, identifying oplegger in Dutch.
Types of Dutch trailer and semi-trailer license plates
| Letters | Identifies: | Image |
|---|---|---|
| OA-OZ | Semi-trailer Articulated trailer | |
| OA-OZ | Duplicate Semi-trailer | |
| WA-WZ | Centre-axle trailer or caravan (More than 750 kg) | |
| BO | Foreign trailer pulled by a Dutch tractor unit | |
Motorcycle license plates
Dutch motorcycle license plates use square-format plates with black characters on a yellow background, displaying three groups of characters. The first letter, regardless of the order, identifies a Motorcycle. Mopeds and low-speed vehicles use differentiated smaller plates with yellow or blue backgrounds and without the European band.
Images of motorcycle and moped license plates
| Type | Explanation | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | Letters begin with M | |
| Maximum speed 40 km/h | | |
| Maximum speed 25 km/h | Number 2 identifies plate replaced twice | |
Netherlands military license plates
The military license plates of the Netherlands Army use plates with a standard configuration and colours, but exclusively using the DMx series, both in the current system and previous ones. The position of the letters on Dutch military registration plates has varied from being in the middle as 00-DMx-0 to Dx-000-x, previously using the AF-xx-00 format.
License plates of the Royal Family cars
The Dutch Royal Family license plates since 1951 use a special registration format. The physical plate is the same as the standard plate with black characters on a yellow background and the NL European band on the left side. The character configuration consists of the letters AA followed by one, two, three, or four numbers. For example, these would be Dutch royal family license plates [AA-1, AA-11, AA-111, AA-12-34]. These registration plates are exclusively reserved for members of the royal family. The Royal Family of the Netherlands belongs to the House of Orange-Nassau. (Source)
Dutch Diplomatic Corps license plates
The Diplomatic Corps license plates begin with, or display in the middle group of characters, the letters CD, without showing any national identifier on the plate. For example: CD-00-00. For vehicles belonging to international organisations, the registration plates begin with or include the letters BN, but always starting with a number equal to or higher than 9000, regardless of the position of the letters.
Special license plates and reserved Dutch registration series
Below, you can discover the different types of Dutch vehicle registration systems, with examples and links to learn how they work.
| Corresponds to: | Letters | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Truck (More than 3.5 tonnes) | First letter is B | |
| Taxi | Blue background with black characters | |
| Dealer plate | Black characters on green background | |
| Special category Usually found on heavy vehicles and historic vehicles | ZZ | |
| Tractors Since 2021 Previously MMBS | Begin with T and L | |
| KN-KZ | Army | |
| LM | Air Force | |
| GV | Agricultural vehicles allowed to cross the border with Belgium. It is not necessary to display it within the Netherlands | |
| BN (80-00 to 88-99) | Non-diplomatic embassy staff | BN in first, second or third position |
| BN (Number higher than 90-00) | Private vehicles of International Organisations, U.S. personnel, and Dutch military staff attached to NATO | BN in first, second or third position |
| GN (Number higher than 90-00) | Same meaning as BN Private vehicles of International Organisations, U.S. personnel, and Dutch military staff attached to NATO | GN-xx-xx, xx-GN-xx, xx-xx-GN |
| NATO headquarters in the Netherlands | European band on the left side | |
MMBS (Low-speed vehicle) - Tractors
Since 2021, MMBS vehicles have started using official tractor registration plates, using the ordinary registration system beginning with the letter T. Example: Txx-99-x
Vehicles with registration plates beginning with MM-BS indicate that the vehicle cannot exceed a certain speed. These registration plates use the MM-BS-x0 configuration, where the penultimate digit may or may not vary. These plates were not officially recognised, and were occasionally used on vehicles that did not comply with regulations for illicit purposes, as they did not use a legal numbering system.
The last two characters used on these registration plates may be: • T5 indicates an agricultural or forestry vehicle with a maximum speed of 45 km/h • Z1 indicates that the vehicle cannot exceed 25 km/h • Z2 and Z3 indicate that the vehicle cannot exceed 45 km/h
To drive this type of vehicle, it is necessary to hold a valid driving licence (since 2015). They may be used, for example, by escort vehicles accompanying heavy transport. These registration plates are usually accompanied by an orange reflective triangle. (See image).
Dependent territories of the Netherlands in the Caribbean
Until 2010, the Netherlands had a territory located in the Caribbean, the Netherlands Antilles, made up of several islands and territories with a high degree of independence from the European mainland. In 2010, a major change took place when this territory ceased to exist and became a series of separate territories classified either as a special municipality or as an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the latter enjoying an almost complete degree of independence. Each of these territories, both during and after the Netherlands Antilles period, has used a differentiated registration plate system completely different from the one used in the European Netherlands.
| Territory or municipality | Official status | Example registration plate |
|---|---|---|
| Aruba | Autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands | |
| Bonaire | Special municipality | |
| Curaçao | Autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands | |
| Saba | Special municipality | |
| Saint Eustatius | Special municipality | |
| Sint Maarten Saint Martin | Autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands | |
Do you want to know which car this Netherlands registration plate belongs to?
If you do not know which vehicle a Netherlands registration plate belongs to, you can check it online for free and automatically thanks to the website voertuig.net. If the link does not work, please let us know through our email address, which you can find below.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Netherlands?
The code NL identifies Netherlands. The license plates of Netherlands may be used with the international registration code NL next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Netherlands
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Netherlands which is NL.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Netherlands 🥇
Where is the code NL in a license plate from?
The international code NL identifies Netherlands, in Europe.
Which country uses the code NL on its license plate?
The country that uses the code NL on its car license plate system is Netherlands.. The letter or letters NL always identify Netherlands. The international code NL must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inNetherlandsSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Netherlands have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Netherlands was in 1898.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Netherlands?
In Netherlands, you drive on the right side of the road.
On which continent is Netherlands located?
Netherlands is located in the continent . You can check how are the license plates of Europe following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Europe
What are license plates from Netherlands called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Netherlands is commonly called a license plate of Netherlands in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Netherlands. Another term, registration plate of Netherlands, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Netherlands, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Netherlands can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Netherlands and a registration plate of Netherlands?
Yes, both license plate of Netherlands and registration plate of Netherlands can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Netherlands.
Cite this section about the license plates of Netherlands
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Netherlands. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 12/06/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Netherlands license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Netherlands
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Netherlands and vehicle plates shown here has been extracted from official state archives (such as the BOE and the DGT in Spain), from personal sightings, by contacting automobile clubs from other countries, or through media or files referenced in the text. This information on car and motorcycle plates in Netherlands has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Netherlands license plates.
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