Are you selling your car and don't know what to do with your plate? Be careful, the rules have changed! Since August 1, 2025, the procedure for deregistering license plates has been completely modified in Belgium.
No more free drop-off at bpost. We explain everything — and especially how to avoid mistakes.
⚠️ Please do not leave your license plates in the red mailbox anymore. !
This is the number 1 mistake that many Belgians still make today.
Dropping an unwrapped and unpaid plate in a red mailbox of Bpost no longer works.
Until July 31, 2025, bpost handled the deregistration of license plates on behalf of the DIV (Directorate for Vehicle Registration). This service was free and simple: you dropped off your license plate at a post office, and that was it.
This is no longer the case. Since August 1, 2025, the DIV has taken over the management of deregistrations itself. As a result, license plates deposited in red boxes without packaging or postage will not be forwarded to the DIV and your license plate will therefore not be deregistered.
The result? You continue to pay road tax and insurance for a vehicle you no longer own. Not ideal.
The 4 options for deregistering your license plate in 2025
Since the reform, here are the options available to you:
Option 1: Postal delivery via bpost (subject to a fee)
You can send your official rear plate (the one with the DIV logo) by mail to the following address:
DIV — Rue du Progrès 60, 1210 Saint-Josse-ten-Noode
The plate can be folded to reduce costs, but never cut.
The postage is your responsibility(expect between €5 and €18 depending on the shipping choice - either by simple package or by the plate package offered by Bpost) The advantage of the second solution is immediate tracking and proof of deposit for your insurance.
Important: the date of deregistration will be the date the mail is opened by the DIV, not the date of sending.
Option 2: Physical deposit at the DIV (free of charge)
You can drop off your license plate directly at the SPF Mobility and Transport in Brussels (Rue du Progrès 56, 1210 Brussels). It's free, but you have to go there in person.
Option 3: Keep your license plate
If you change vehicles and the new one is in the same category, you can keep your license plate. You have four months to transfer it to your new vehicle.
Option 4: Entrust the process to a professional
That's where Garage Privé comes in.
Garage Privé takes care of everything for €30.
At Garage Privé, we know that the administrative procedures involved in selling or buying a vehicle can be a real headache. That's why we offer a comprehensive license plate deregistration service for €30.
What we do for you:
Handling of your plate
Packaging and sending in accordance with DIV requirements
Tracking of the deregistration until confirmation
Advice on the next steps (insurance, road tax)
You don't have to do anything. We take care of everything, from A to Z. That's our philosophy: to support you every step of the way in your car transaction, with complete transparency and peace of mind.
How can you check that your license plate has been deregistered?
The DIV has launched the “My vehicle, my license plate” app, which allows you to:
Check in real-time if the deregistration has been completed.
Obtain adigital certificateprovisional
Use this certificate tocancel or suspend your car insurancewithout waiting for the official certificate
What to do after deregistration?
Once your license plate has been deregistered, remember to:
Cancel your car insuranceor suspend it if you plan to re-register a vehicle soon
Check your road tax— it must be adjusted as soon as the cancellation is effective
Keep your proof of cancellationvia the DIV application
In summary
Before 31/07/2025 | Since 01/08/2025 | |
|---|---|---|
Where deregistrate? | Bureau bpost | DIV directly |
Cost | Free | Frais d'envoi à votre charge (5-18€) |
Red mailboxes | Accepted | ❌ not effective |
Date de radiation | Date of deposit | Date of opening by DIV |
Service Garage Privé | — | 30€ all inclusive ✅ |
Are you selling or buying a vehicle in Walloon Brabant?
At Garage Privé in Wavre, we don't just take care of deregistering your license plates. As automotive agents, we assist you throughout the entire transaction: finding the ideal vehicle, performing a 111-point inspection, negotiating the best price, and handling all the administrative procedures.
Contact us for a stress-free car buying or selling experience.