You can pay digitally, your bonus card no longer has to hang on your key ring and SIM cards are now QR codes. Passes seem to be a thing of the past, but we still walk around with them in the Netherlands. Fortunately, it is also being worked on a digital driver’s license.
Digital registration certificate in Germany
It will take some time before the pink pass becomes completely digital, but a digital registration certificate has been introduced immediately in Germany. Germans can take part 1 of their vehicle registration certificate digitally on their phone via a new app. You normally have this part in your pocket.
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The app allows users to upload their registration certificate and possibly share it with third parties — for example garages or other authorities. It is therefore no longer necessary for Germans to take the physical registration certificate with them.
In the Netherlands you can also find it digitally
Handy, that’s what we want in the Netherlands too. In fact, a test system is already running in the Netherlands. If you have an Android phone, you can download the RDW Vehicle app from the Play Store. You can view your registration certificate digitally there.
Because it is still being tested, it is not yet considered a physical document. This first requires an amendment to the law. Moreover, you cannot yet use the app on an iPhone.
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The RDW test started on July 14, 2025. The organization states that the digital use of the document is not officially valid until 2028. In short: in the Netherlands you still have to take your registration certificate with you in the car for the time being. Otherwise you risk a fine of 60 euros. Did you know that you have to pay close attention to which fines you pay?.