Your petrol car in Soest was first registered on 1 June 2022. After how many whole years must the FIRST APK take place at the latest?
Show the answer
Correct answer: 4 jaar
Correct: 4.0 jaar.
APK duty and the real inspection cycle
What the exam asks here: Your neighbour in Putten swears by one number sequence for every car: '4-2-1-1, always, full stop.' The CBR exam designer knows you hear this everywhere — and counts on you not knowing that this rhythm differs per fuel type and eventually switches to annual.
The trap
Many learners think: The same rhythm applies to every car: first APK after 4 years, then after 2 years, then every year — regardless of fuel type, and this rhythm never changes.
The rule is: RDW (not the book) - the real rhythm has two branches. Petrol/electric: 4 - 6 - 8 years, then annually. Diesel/gas: already after 3 years, then straight to annually — no two-yearly interim phase. VekaBest p.206 names no interval figure at all; the '4-2-1-1 for every car' figure is the trap.
Challenge
Your neighbour in Putten swears by one number sequence for every car: '4-2-1-1, always, full stop.' The CBR exam designer knows you hear this everywhere — and counts on you not knowing that this rhythm differs per fuel type and eventually switches to annual. The book itself, in fact, names no interval figure at all; only the RDW knows the real, two-branch rhythm.
The model
Petrol/electric: 4 - 6 - 8 years, then annually. Diesel/gas: already after 3 years, then straight to annual. (Source: RDW — this is not in the book.)
Core
The general inspection duty is in the book (p.206): passenger cars, vans, trucks and buses must be inspected regularly — the APK. Six weeks before the expiry date the RDW sends a reminder letter. On approval you get an inspection certificate, but you do not need to show it on the road: the police check a system. Both the owner/holder and the driver are liable if driven without a valid APK — even if the car is technically not in order. The interval figures themselves are not in the book. Per the RDW: petrol/electric gets its first inspection after 4 years, then every 2 years (at 6 and 8 years), and only from 8 years old does it become annual. Diesel/gas gets its first inspection already after 3 years and then goes straight to annual — with no two-yearly interim phase. So the two schedules differ on two points at once: the starting year (4 versus 3) AND the length of the interim phase (two interim steps versus none).
Why it matters
A wrongly planned APK is not a small thing. Drive with an expired APK and you risk a fine — and that risk is personal to you, not just to the registered keeper. On the A44 near Soest a patrol car checks number plates automatically; an expired inspection certificate stands out immediately in the system, even though you yourself have nothing to show.
Active recall
Your diesel van in Baarn was first registered 3 years and 1 month ago and has never had an APK. What applies?
Teach back
Explain: which two things differ between the APK cycle of petrol/electric and that of diesel/gas, and why is neither number sequence in the book?
Memory hook
Petrol/electric: 4-6-8, then annually. Diesel/gas: 3, then annually. Source: RDW — not a book figure.
The picture
Signs and law
- WVW 1994 art. 72 — Periodic inspection (APK) duty: a motor vehicle needs a valid inspection certificate; without a valid APK it may not be driven on the road.
Test yourself
In Nijkerk you buy a second-hand petrol car. The registration certificate says: date of first registration 3 March 2022. Today you drive it away for the first time. After how many years must this car have its first APK at the latest?
Show the answer
Petrol/electric: 4 - 6 - 8 years, then annually. Diesel/gas: already after 3 years, then straight to annual. (Source: RDW — this is not in the book.)
Exam questions on this topic
At a garage in Putten there are two passenger cars that turn 5 years old this year: a petrol car and a diesel car. Both passed the APK last year. Which one must be inspected again this year?
- Only the diesel: after 3 years it is inspected every year
- Neither: after the inspection at 4 years the next is at 6 years
- Both: after the first inspection every car must return each year
Show the answer
Correct answer: Only the diesel: after 3 years it is inspected every year
False — you apply the petrol schedule to the diesel. A car on diesel or gas is first inspected after 3 years and then every year; only petrol and electric have 4 - 6 - 8 years (RDW). (VekaBest p.206 (algemene APK-plicht, §13.2); RDW (LAW-VERIFIED interval-cyclus, geen boekcijfer))
Why learners get this wrong: A diesel or gas car follows the same schedule as petrol/electric: first inspection after 4 years, then after 2 years, then annually.
You borrow your sister's car and are stopped on the A28 near Nijkerk for a speed check. The officer asks nothing about the APK. At home it turns out the car's APK expired two weeks ago. What applies to you?
- No problem: the officer did not ask and I showed nothing
- Only my sister is liable, because she is the owner of the car
- I was driving illegally; the police can check the APK in a system
Show the answer
Correct answer: I was driving illegally; the police can check the APK in a system
False — the owner is not the only one responsible. Both the owner or keeper and the driver are liable when the car is driven without a valid APK
Why learners get this wrong: At a roadside police check you must be able to show the paper APK inspection certificate.
Statement: at every roadside police check you must be able to show the paper APK inspection certificate.
- True
- False
Show the answer
Correct answer: False
Why learners get this wrong: At a roadside police check you must be able to show the paper APK inspection certificate.
Your colleague from Baarn drives with an expired APK because the car 'looks fine anyway'. Which statements are correct? (multiple answers possible)
- The driver is liable, even if the car appears technically fine
- As long as the car looks fine, the expiry date does not really count
- Only the owner/holder is liable, not the driver
- The vehicle's owner/holder is also liable
Show the answer
Correct answer: The driver is liable, even if the car appears technically fine; The vehicle's owner/holder is also liable
Why learners get this wrong: As long as the car looks fine, the expiry date of the APK does not really count.
At a petrol station on the A44 near Soest, a mechanic explains that the APK cycle's interval figures do not appear anywhere in the theory book. So where do those figures come from?
- The RDW
- The theory book itself, further along in the chapter
Show the answer
Correct answer: The RDW
False — the book only gives the general inspection duty (p.206); §13.2 was read in full and contains no interval figures. The cycle comes from the RDW. (VekaBest p.206 (algemene APK-plicht, §13.2); RDW (LAW-VERIFIED interval-cyclus, geen boekcijfer))
Why learners get this wrong: The interval figures of the APK cycle are in the theory book itself, further on in the chapter.
Your diesel van in Baarn was first registered 3 years and 1 month ago and has never had an APK. What applies?
- Not needed yet: the rhythm is 4-2-1-1 for everyone, so only after 4 years
- The first APK should already have taken place, after 3 years
- Not needed yet: only after 4 years, same as petrol
Show the answer
Correct answer: The first APK should already have taken place, after 3 years
Diesel/gas has its own, shorter cycle: first inspection already after 3 years (RDW, not the book).
Why learners get this wrong: The same rhythm applies to every car: first APK after 4 years, then after 2 years, then every year — regardless of fuel type, and this rhythm never changes.
RDW (not the book) - diesel/gas has its own, shorter cycle: first inspection already after 3 years, and annually from then on.
- False
- True
Show the answer
Correct answer: True
RDW (not the book) - diesel/gas has its own, shorter cycle: first inspection already after 3 years, and annually from then on. No 4 years, no two-yearly phase — that is unique to petrol/electric.
Why learners get this wrong: A diesel or gas car follows the same schedule as petrol/electric: first inspection after 4 years, then after 2 years, then annually.
About APK duty and the real inspection cycle: which statement is WRONG?
- 'you do not need to be able to show that during a roadside check. The police can look up in a system whether your vehicle still has a valid inspection certificate.' No duty to show it — but there is a system check.
- RDW (not the book) - diesel/gas has its own, shorter cycle: first inspection already after 3 years, and annually from then on.
- The same rhythm applies to every car: first APK after 4 years, then after 2 years, then every year — regardless of fuel type, and this rhythm never changes.
- 'Both the owner/holder and the driver of the vehicle are responsible (and therefore liable) if driven without a valid APK.' Both are liable, not just the owner.
Show the answer
Correct answer: The same rhythm applies to every car: first APK after 4 years, then after 2 years, then every year — regardless of fuel type, and this rhythm never changes.
RDW (not the book) - the real rhythm has two branches. Petrol/electric: 4 - 6 - 8 years, then annually. Diesel/gas: already after 3 years, then straight to annually — no two-yearly interim phase. VekaBest p.206 names no interval figure at all; the '4-2-1-1 for every car' figure is the trap.
Why learners get this wrong: At a roadside police check you must be able to show the paper APK inspection certificate.
RDW (not the book) - the real rhythm has two branches.
- False
- True
Show the answer
Correct answer: True
RDW (not the book) - the real rhythm has two branches. Petrol/electric: 4 - 6 - 8 years, then annually. Diesel/gas: already after 3 years, then straight to annually — no two-yearly interim phase. VekaBest p.206 names no interval figure at all; the '4-2-1-1 for every car' figure is the trap.
Why learners get this wrong: The same rhythm applies to every car: first APK after 4 years, then after 2 years, then every year — regardless of fuel type, and this rhythm never changes.
Frequently asked questions
‘The same rhythm applies to every car: first APK after 4 years, then after 2 years, then every year — regardless of fuel type, and this rhythm never changes’ – is that true?
No. RDW (not the book) - the real rhythm has two branches. Petrol/electric: 4 - 6 - 8 years, then annually. Diesel/gas: already after 3 years, then straight to annually — no two-yearly interim phase. VekaBest p.206 names no interval figure at all; the '4-2-1-1 for every car' figure is the trap.
‘A diesel or gas car follows the same schedule as petrol/electric: first inspection after 4 years, then after 2 years, then annually’ – is that true?
No. RDW (not the book) - diesel/gas has its own, shorter cycle: first inspection already after 3 years, and annually from then on. No 4 years, no two-yearly phase — that is unique to petrol/electric.
‘At a roadside police check you must be able to show the paper APK inspection certificate’ – is that true?
No. 'you do not need to be able to show that during a roadside check. The police can look up in a system whether your vehicle still has a valid inspection certificate.' No duty to show it — but there is a system check.
‘Only the vehicle's owner/registered holder is punishable for driving without a valid APK, not the driver at the wheel at the time’ – is that true?
No. 'Both the owner/holder and the driver of the vehicle are responsible (and therefore liable) if driven without a valid APK.' Both are liable, not just the owner.
‘After the first APK every car, a petrol car too, must be inspected again every year’ – is that true?
No. RDW - petrol/electric: first inspection after 4 years, then at 6 and 8 years, annual only from 8 years; only diesel/gas goes annual straight after the first inspection (3 years)