In most countries, license plates are linked to the registration of the vehicle within the national vehicle register. In some countries, however, plates are tied to the owner rather than the vehicle itself.
When a vehicle is sold abroad, the original license plates almost always remain in the country of origin.
What Happens During Export?
During export, the competent authority — such as the RDW (Netherlands), DIV (Belgium), or DMV (United States) — retains the plates and removes the vehicle from the national register.
Once you register the vehicle in your own country with the relevant authority, you will receive new license plates according to local laws and regulations.
Important to Know
This is a standard procedure in international vehicle sales and does not prevent registration or use, provided you have the proper documents, such as:
- The original registration certificate or export document;
- The invoice or sales agreement.
For imports or exports outside the EU, customs authorities may require additional paperwork. Route 66 Auctions recommends verifying the required documentation in advance with your local registration or customs authority.
