The transitional arrangement for special mopeds expired on July 1, 2026. Anyone who registered their e-step with the RDW before that date paid €18. Anyone who is too late now pays a minimum of €116.55 — plus the risk of a €290 fine as long as the step is unregistered on the road. In this article: who is affected, what you can still do now, and why SELANA riders won't notice anything.
Last updated: July 2026. Sources: RDW and Rijksoverheid.
What exactly changed on July 1, 2026
Since July 1, 2025, the Netherlands has had a registration requirement for special mopeds, the category that electric steps fall under. For vehicles that had already been approved before that date, a transition period of exactly one year applied: until July 1, 2026, you could apply for the registration online at the reduced rate of €18, without the RDW having to assess the vehicle separately.
That period is now over. From now on, the RDW must individually assess every unregistered unit, and that costs money. The application starts at €116.55 and can be higher depending on what research is needed.
Costs before and after the deadline
| Situation | Registration cost | Turnaround time |
|---|---|---|
| Applied for before July 1, 2026 | €18 | approx. 5 business days |
| Applied for after July 1, 2026 | from €116.55 | longer — individual assessment |
| Having a license plate made | approx. €15 – €25 | directly at an approved manufacturer |
So the price difference is more than a factor of six. That's not a fine, but simply the difference between an administrative registration and an actual vehicle assessment.
Who exactly is affected?
The transitional arrangement applied to the e-steps that had already been approved before July 1, 2025. There are four of them on the RDW's list:
- Yedoo Mezeq
- Kickbike Luxury
- Kickbike Fat Max
- Kickbike Cruise
If you ride one of these models and haven't applied for registration yet, you now fall under the higher rate. That's unfortunate, but the alternative — continuing to ride without registration — is more expensive.
The SELANA Alpha falls outside this arrangement. The Alpha has a national type approval, which means the model as a whole has been approved and doesn't need to be assessed individually by the RDW. Registration is handled through us, not through an individual application by the owner. You can read how that works in our explanation of registration and costs.
What does it cost if you do nothing?
Without a valid registration, you're not allowed on public roads. The police actively enforce this:
- €490 for riding without third-party liability insurance
- Confiscation of the step in case of repeat offenses, tampering, or endangerment
- No insurance coverage in the event of an accident — you're personally liable for the other party's damages
That last point is the real risk. A fine is a one-time cost; liability for personal injury is not. The full overview is in our guide to e-step fines.
What you can still do now
1. Register anyway
It's still possible, just at the higher rate. You'll need: photos of all sides of the vehicle, a photo of the stamped vehicle identification number (VIN) on the frame, and DigiD or eHerkenning to log in. Payment is via iDEAL. After approval, you'll receive the registration certificate and later the ownership code, which you can use to have the plate made at an approved manufacturer.
2. Use the step only on private property
The rules of the Dutch Road Traffic Act don't apply on private property. Without registration, that's the only place where you can legally ride.
3. Switch to a type-approved model
With a model that has national type approval, individual assessment doesn't come into play. You get the registration through the supplier and can insure it right away. If you want to know which models are approved in 2026 and how they compare, read our comparison of all RDW-approved e-steps.
Frequently asked questions
I submitted my application before July 1, 2026 but don't have a registration yet. Do I fall under the old rate?
Yes. What matters is the moment of application, not the moment of issuance. Keep your payment confirmation.
Does the deadline also apply to e-steps with pedal assist?
No. Steps that require you to pedal or push off yourself and that fall under bicycle rules don't need registration. The registration requirement applies to special mopeds: models that move forward under motor power alone.
Can I still register my Xiaomi or Segway for €116.55?
No. The higher rate only applies to vehicles that have already been approved but not yet registered. A model without approval won't get a registration at any rate. We explain why in why your Xiaomi or Segway isn't legal in the Netherlands.
Will there be a new transitional arrangement?
Nothing has been announced about this. The 2025–2026 arrangement was explicitly intended as a one-time transition to the new system.
Conclusion
The cheap route to a registration closed on July 1, 2026. For the four previously approved models, that means a significantly higher threshold. If you ride a non-approved model, nothing changes: that was and remains prohibited on public roads. Check out the SELANA Alpha or plan a test ride at a dealer near you.
