Rules

Car wraps and the RDW: registering a colour change

By Wrap Destination, Cruquius · 21 October 2026

Do you have to report a wrap to the RDW?

Yes, if the colour of your car changes. The colour on your registration certificate has to match the colour of your car. That is set out in the Kentekenreglement, the Dutch vehicle registration regulations. The government states explicitly that this also applies if you give your car a different colour temporarily with a wrap.

When do you not need to report anything?

If you are not sure which is the main colour on a two-tone car, check with the RDW. They decide which colour goes on the registration certificate.

How do you register the colour change?

1. Have the car wrapped. Only register the new colour once the car actually has that colour.
2. Fill in the RDW form 'Aanvraag kleurwijziging' (colour change application).
3. Add a clear colour photo of the car on which the number plate is easy to read.
4. The RDW updates the colour and sends you a new registration certificate.

The colour change itself costs nothing.

Which colour do you register?

Since 1 July 2014 the RDW only registers a limited number of base colours. So you do not enter 'Satin Vampire Red', just the base colour that comes closest. With colour shift film you choose the colour you see most. Matte, satin or gloss makes no difference to the RDW.

Should you also tell your insurer about the wrap?

That is sensible. A wrap changes the car and costs money. Univé treats a wrap as an accessory and covers €3,000 of accessories as standard. If your wrap costs more, or you are with a different insurer, check how it works. When you make a claim, mention that the car is wrapped, so that repairing the film is included too.

If your car is leased, ask your lease company for permission first. Because the film can come off again, wrapping a lease car is often possible, but the terms differ.

How often can you change the colour of your car?

There is no maximum. An RDW spokesperson did say that the RDW will look more closely if the same owner or the same company does this very often. For an ordinary owner who drives a different colour for a few years, that does not come into play.

What if you do not report it?

Then your registration certificate no longer matches your car. You run into that at a roadside check or when selling the car, and it can also raise questions when you make a damage claim. Because it is free, there is little reason to skip it.

What happens when you sell a wrapped car?

You can sell the car with the wrap on, or have the film removed first. If you sell it with the wrap, say so clearly in the listing and make sure the colour on the registration certificate matches the colour of the wrap. If you have the wrap removed first, register the old colour with the RDW again before you transfer ownership of the car. That way the registration and the car match, and the buyer is not left with a problem.

Keep the quote or invoice for the wrap, so you can show which film was on the car and since when.

From quote to new registration certificate

1. You choose a colour, for example first in the Wrap Preview, and request a quote.
2. The car is wrapped. At Wrap Destination a full wrap usually takes three to five working days.
3. You take a colour photo with the number plate clearly visible and register the new colour with the RDW.
4. You tell your insurer about the wrap.
5. The new registration certificate arrives by post.

What does a wrap in a different colour cost?

That depends on your car and the film. Read how much does a car wrap cost for the factors, or ask for a price directly through the quote form. Not sure whether a wrap or a respray suits you better? Read wrap or respray.