Even in the verge, a tractor must have a license plate. From A to B, from private property to the other side of the road and from forest path to parking lot. When crossing from one field to another, you also take the public road, even if you drive through the verge. Registration is therefore more often necessary than is thought.

Public road definition

Owners of (agricultural) construction vehicles must register their vehicles as soon as possible when they are used on public roads. Some vehicle owners think that registration is not necessary after all, because they do not go on public roads. But the definition of the public road may be wider than you think. It concerns all roads and roads where other people can or may come, such as normal roads, bicycle paths or B-roads and country roads.

Even roads that do not appear to be public, because they can be closed with a fence, gate or barrier can still be a public road. Parking and business areas are examples of this. In addition, a road is a public road if it has been accessible to everyone for 30 consecutive years (after 1902).

Only with a registration

From 1 January 2022, tractors, mobile equipment (MMBS) and towed equipment may only use the public road if they are registered. You can register online via the RDW website. Registering online is easy once the correct data – such as trade name, type, VIN and year of manufacture – have been collected.

Inspection necessary from January

Please note: From 1 January 2022, an owner can no longer register his (agricultural) construction vehicle online and an inspection is required. Instead of 18 euros, you pay a minimum of 140 euros. Online registration is easy once the correct data has been collected. In addition, all information is available on the RDW website: www.rdw.nl/register.

Also read: MaaS is far from being mobility for everyone