As a truck driver using a digital tachograph, you need a driver card, also known as a tachograph card. Your driving and rest periods are recorded on this personal card. But how much does a truck driver card cost? What do you pay to apply for or renew your driver card?
Driver card costs
In 2026, the government set the cost of a truck driver card at €141,57 (including VAT). This applies to both EU and non-EU driver cards.
When will the driver card be delivered?
After submitting your application, you will receive a text message and email from AMP Groep within four weeks. You can use these to arrange a delivery appointment. This is important because you must receive your driver card in person. You will also need to show valid proof of identity when you receive it. So make sure you are at home during the agreed time slot.
Please note: your application will only be processed once it has been paid in full. You can pay in several ways: by iDEAL or credit card, or by making a bank transfer yourself after you receive the invoice.
Apply for a driver card
You can apply for your truck driver card through Kiwa Register. They issue your driver card on behalf of the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management. You first need to create an account with Kiwa Register. To do this, go to portal.kiwaregister.nl on your laptop or PC, click on Particulier and then on Registreren. Already have an account? You can simply log in on the same page.
You can then start the application process. To do so, you must meet a number of requirements:
- you have a valid C/CE driving licence
- you have been registered as a resident of the Netherlands for at least 185 days
You’ll also need the following to apply for your driver card:
- your driving licence number
- your date of birth
- a recent digital passport photo that meets all official requirements
- copy of a valid driving licence (only if you have a foreign driving licence)
Once you have also paid the cost of the truck driver card, your driver card will be made and delivered to your home.
Apply for a temporary driver card
Are you, or is a new driver at your company, from a country outside the EU? Then you must apply for a temporary driver card. The process is the same, but you’ll need to provide slightly different supporting documents:
- The driver’s personal details (name, home address, date of birth)
- Digital copy of a passport photo
- Digital copy of the driving licence
- Digital copy of the NIWO driver's work permit and driver certificate
Renewing your driver card
After you apply, your driver card is valid for five years (temporary driver cards are valid for a maximum of 185 days). Kiwa Register will automatically send you a reminder, but you can also apply for a new driver card yourself up to 3 months in advance. When renewing, you must go through all the steps again. This also means that you must pay the following fee to renew your truck driver card: €141,57 per driver card.
Tip: you can use your new driver card once your old one has expired. After that, keep your old card with you for another 28 days so you can account for your driving activities over the previous working days!
Driver card lost, damaged or stolen?
Have you lost your driver card, or has it been damaged or stolen? You must report this to Kiwa Register within 7 days. Once you have paid the fee for your new truck driver card, a replacement card will be sent to you within five days. However, this new driver card will expire on the same date as your old card.
In the meantime, you may continue driving temporarily without a tachograph card, for a maximum of 15 days. Bear in mind that you’re still required to keep records. So, at the end of each working day, print out your tachograph data and add your name, address, driving licence number and signature.
