Are you a proud owner of a classic car, or are you dreaming of getting one soon? Then it’s important to know that changes are coming in 2028 for classic cars. Starting January 1, 2028, no new vehicles will be added to the classic car status.
The current regulation
Until now, petrol vehicles that are 40 years or older (calculated from the date of first registration and up to January 1, 1988) automatically qualified for the classic car scheme. This meant you did not have to pay motor vehicle tax. In addition, you were allowed to use the vehicle all year round, regardless of the type of fuel.
What changes on January 1, 2028?
Vehicles with a year of manufacture from January 1, 1988 onward will no longer qualify for the classic car status — not even once they reach 40 years of age.
Cars that were first registered before 1988 will, however, retain their current rights.
In other words: if you own a classic car from 1987 or earlier, nothing will change for you. But if your vehicle is from 1988 or newer, there will be no possibility to ever make use of the classic car scheme.
Transitional arrangement: how does that work again?
Since January 1, 2014, a transitional arrangement has been in place. Before that, vehicles older than 25 years were exempt from road tax (as long as the vehicle was registered before January 1, 1988). With the new legislation, the threshold was raised to 40 years, which caused a lot of dissatisfaction among classic car enthusiasts.
For that reason, the transitional arrangement was introduced. It stipulates that vehicles:
- were first registered before January 1, 1988
- run exclusively on petrol
- are not used for commercial purposes
may qualify for a reduced road tax rate. In this case, you only pay one quarter’s worth of road tax per year and are allowed to drive for nine months.
Note: in December, January, and February, the vehicle is not allowed on public roads.
Adjustment to the transitional arrangement due to new IT system
In 2027, the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration will switch to a new IT system. In that system, there will no longer be room for complex arrangements such as the transitional scheme.
To prevent confusion and “grey areas,” vehicles from 1987 will therefore fall under the full classic car scheme one year earlier. This will be beneficial for the owners of a 1987 classic car.
What does this mean for you as a classic car enthusiast?
At Marlog Europe, we understand better than anyone how important your classic car is to you — it’s more than just a vehicle; it’s a passion. These changes may be disappointing, especially for those who own a vehicle from the late 1980s.
Unfortunately, we have no influence on government policy, but we are closely monitoring developments. As soon as more clarity becomes available about the practical implementation of these new rules, we will of course share it with you.
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Together, we’ll keep the passion for classic cars alive!