Performing periodic technical inspections motor vehicles (APK)

Do you want to perform periodic technical inspections of motor vehicles (PTI, Algemene Periodieke Keuring, APK) in the Netherlands? Your company must be recognised by the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW). Only a recognised APK inspector (APK-keurmeester) may perform this inspection.

Applying for APK recognition

You can apply for an APK recognition to the RDW (in Dutch). First you register for access to the RDW portal (in Dutch) using eHerkenning and your KVK branch number (vestigingsnummer). RDW will send you a digital certificate and a code with which you can install the certificate. You need to install the certificate to access the RDW web services (in Dutch).

After you apply though the RDW web service, RDW will send you a digital form. In this form you declare you comply with the requirements for recognition (in Dutch), such as:

• you have valid test certificates for the necessary equipment, such as the soot meter, the oil temperature meter, and the exhaust tester
• the location you apply for meets the requirements
• the location you apply for has at least 1 certified inspector
• a description of the vehicle fleet if you want to periodically test your company vehicles

You return the completed form via email to erkenningen@rdw.nl. An RDW supervisor will contact you to schedule a visit to check if you fulfil all requirements.

If you want to apply for more than 1 branch of your business, you must apply for an additional recognition for each location separately (in Dutch).

APK inspector

Do you want to carry out periodic technical inspections? You need to be an approved APK inspector (APK-keurmeester). You need to pass an exam with IBKI (in Dutch) to receive your professional qualification and credentials as an APK inspector. You need to extend your professional qualification every 2 years. For this you need to pass the APK qualification extension exam (in Dutch). You can find more information on the IBKI website (in Dutch).

Inspection requirements

If you inspect vehicles, you have to keep to certain rules and testing requirements, for instance such as:

• you need verify the registration plates, vehicle identification number (VIN), and first date of registration in the vehicle registration system
• you need to write the result of the inspection on an inspection report, for which you can use the model inspection report (in Dutch)

The parts you need to check and the manner of inspection are listed in the APK manual by the RDW (in Dutch), such as for instance:

• the steering and suspension systems, including the brakes, wheels and tyres
• the exterior body and frame
• the exhaust system and the vehicle’s emissions
• the interior, such as the pedals, seats, and seat belts
• the electronic (passenger) safety systems and other electrical systems

You can find extensive information on this topic on the APK regulations website (in Dutch).

Reporting APK inspections

Your APK inspector must always report the status of the cars they inspected to RDW with their APK credentials (APK-pas, in Dutch). This report includes the mileage at the time of the test as well as other relevant issues. You can file this report to the RDW online via APK Webdirect (in Dutch).

Complaints procedure

If a customer does not agree with the result of their APK test and formally objects, you must inform the RDW immediately. The RDW will set a location and date for a second opinion. The customer is responsible to make sure the vehicle is present. If the RDW disagrees with your initial decision, you have to pay the costs of the re-examination.