If you buy a car from any dealer, new or used, the dealer will see that the car is registered in your name. If you buy privately, either purchase on the internet via a site called marktplaats.nl or through classifieds. You and the seller will have to go to the post office together to change the registration. You will need a valid passport, your residence permit, a bank statement less than three months old, and the record of registration from the seller. Before you buy a car privately make sure you have the car checked out fully by an inspector as advised by the ANWB, the Dutch motorists' association. All cars more than three years old must have an APK certificate as advised by the Department of Road Transport (www.rdw.nl). The APK certificate must be renewed every year - you should renew your APK at least two months before it expires. You should still have a car inspected even if it has an APK certificate, as the certificate only determines road safety, not potential mechanical faults. Once a car is registered in your name it will stay so until you sell it or you file with the RDW to have it de-registered as the car is being destroyed. Only an RDW-registered autodemontagebedriven (wrecking yard) can destroy a car; if parts can be salvaged you will be paid for the car. If you wish to bring your own car into Holland you may have to pay BPM (vehicle tax), via customs. If you’ve lived in another country for a year and have had the car for longer then six months you will not have to pay the import tax but you will still need to contact customs - the number is 0800 0143. Once you’ve paid the taxes you will be able to register the car with the RDW after paying €78 for an inspection and a €45 environment tax. You can then have Dutch number plates made. Once you’ve completed this process you must take out third party insurance which is mandatory in the Netherlands.