See more of Dutch Brief in your Google search results
Starting 1 October, public-transport enforcement officers in the Netherlands, known as ov-boa’s, will be authorised to consult the national driving-licence register to identify passengers without ID. This change enables officers to issue fines directly, eliminating the need to wait for police assistance.
Why it is changing
Enforcement officers (buitengewoon opsporingsambtenaren, or boa’s) must legally confirm a person’s identity before issuing a warning or fine. This is straightforward when individuals present an ID, but challenges occur when someone does not have their ID available.
This issue is significant: research shows that 42 percent of BOA encounters occur daily where officers cannot independently verify someone’s identity. Previously, officers had to call the police to confirm identities, which consumed police resources and often led to delays, frustration, and potential escalation: outcomes this change aims to prevent.
How it will work
The driving-licence register, maintained by the road authority RDW, holds photos of over 12 million licence-holders in the Netherlands and is already used by police for identity verification. Granting ov-boa’s access allows officers to immediately compare a passenger’s claimed identity with the corresponding photo in the register.
From 1 October, public transport employers can request access to the register for their officers. State Secretary Annet Bertram, responsible for public transport and rail, noted that officers have expressed frustration over limited options for establishing identity, calling these concerns “very frustrating, and rightly so.”
SPONSORED
You’re overpaying your accountant. And they still don’t call you back.
Neno gives you a dedicated bookkeeper, automated admin, real-time financial insights and a free business bank account. Everything your business needs, in one place.
No chasing. No surprises. No unnecessary costs.
The privacy safeguards
Because photos are sensitive personal data, access is strictly regulated. Officers may consult the register only to detect offences, and only after attempting other identification methods. It serves as a last resort, not a routine check. Photos can be viewed briefly, reportedly for up to 30 seconds, and cannot be saved. All lookups are logged for monitoring, and any managers must report misuse to the police and public prosecutor.
Part of a wider rollout
This measure is part of a phased rollout. Since 1 April 2026, boa’s in municipalities and rural areas have had access to the register. The extension now includes ov-boa’s working for public-transport companies and the city of Amsterdam, arranged through a general administrative order (AMvB). The government is also considering granting boa’s access to additional registers to help identify offenders, as part of broader efforts to improve public transport safety.