Driving licence & documents

Who may drive this car, and which documents belong to the driver and vehicle?

Your licence establishes your entitlement to drive; the registration certificate describes the vehicle. Carry your valid licence and registration card when driving. An identity card does not replace a licence. An expired licence does not permit driving merely because you have applied for renewal.

Keep the transfer code safely at home. It is used for tasks such as selling, suspending registration or exporting, rather than an ordinary journey. With an old paper certificate, carry the vehicle and registered-keeper documents; keep the transfer document at home. A limited 14-day exception applies after transfer when the new registration card has not yet arrived.

For an ordinary category-B car, the starting limits are a maximum authorised mass of 3,500 kg and at most eight passengers in addition to the driver. Assess the authorised mass, not simply the empty vehicle’s weight today. Trailers have additional licence and vehicle conditions. Certain alternatively powered trucks and motorhomes have specific exceptions up to 4,250 kg; this is not a general increase for every car.

Are you 17 and holding a category-B licence? Until 18, drive with an RDW-registered accompanying driver listed on your accompanying-driver pass. Carry the pass. Any adult with a licence is not automatically an authorised accompanying driver for you. The accompanying driver must meet the requirements and be sober.