Driving & Maintenance

Who is allowed to drive my car and when does it need servicing?

  • What car documents do I need when driving abroad?

    Planning a trip with your lease car, in or outside of Europe?
    Your insurance certificate (green card) shows which countries you're allowed to travel to and where your car is insured.

    Want a worry-free holiday?
    Before you go, always check the engine oil, coolant and tyre pressure. And make sure your car has had its regular maintenance checks.

    Also, check the ANWB Travel Guide for more tips: ANWB Reiswijzer

    These three documents should always be with you:

    • Your registration certificate

    • Your insurance certificate (green card) – download the latest version here: Insurance certificate / green card.
      Some countries require a printed version. Check here to be sure: COBX map

    • A damage report form

    Important:
    If you're travelling outside Europe, you'll need an international driving authorisation.
    This shows that you’re allowed to drive the lease car.

    Just send an email to info@directlease.nl with:

    • your name

    • your car’s licence plate number

    • and the country you're visiting

    Tip:
    Request this authorisation at least three weeks before your trip.

    Questions?
    Email us at sales@directleaseprivate.nl or call us on 0541 - 571 760.

     
     

  • When should I schedule maintenance for my private lease car?

    Maintenance is essential to keep your car in top condition and, of course, for your safety. It is important to have the car serviced annually, or whenever the car itself indicates that maintenance is required.

    Not sure if your car is due for maintenance? Please contact your dealer to check.

    Please note: you are responsible for scheduling maintenance on time. Any additional costs caused by overdue maintenance may be charged to you. Timely maintenance not only helps you avoid extra costs but also ensures greater safety on the road.

    Questions?
    Email: info@directlease.nl
    Phone: 0541 571 710

  • Where do I go for maintenance on my private lease car?

    You can choose where to have your private lease car serviced. The only requirement is that it must be done at a Van Mossel location or dealership.

    You can find all Van Mossel locations using the following link:
    Van Mossel locations

    Questions?

    Email us: info@directlease.nl
    Call us: +31 541 571 710

  • When does my car need an MOT (APK)?

    The APK (Dutch MOT) is a legal requirement across Europe.

    Petrol or electric
    Your first MOT is due after 4 years.
    After that, every 2 years until your lease car turns 8.
    From then on, it’s every year.

    Diesel or LPG
    Driving a diesel or LPG car?
    Your first MOT is due after 3 years.
    After that, it’s every year.

    MOT reminder
    The current MOT expiry date is listed on the RDW website.
    But don’t worry — we’ll send you an email reminder 6 weeks before it’s due.

    Booking an MOT
    Easy! Just use our online Werkplaatsplanner.
    You pick the day and time that suits you best.

    Important:
    As the driver, it’s your responsibility to make sure the MOT is done on time.

    Questions?
    Email us at info@directlease.nl or call 0541 - 571 710.

  • Who is allowed to drive the car?

    In general, anyone with a valid driving licence may use the car. This includes immediate family members, relatives and friends. Just keep in mind that you remain responsible for the car at all times.

    Questions?

    Email us: info@directlease.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 710

  • Is my pet allowed in the lease car?

    Yes, of course. Your pet should be able to travel with you wherever you go. Just make sure that your pet does not cause any damage to the car. At the end of the lease contract, the car will be inspected for any damages.

    Want to know which types of damage are considered acceptable? Check our return policy.

    Questions?

    Email us: info@directlease.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 710

  • Can I go on holiday with my lease car?

    Of course you can. After all, your lease car is for private use — including holidays. Just make sure you only travel to countries listed on your green card. That’s because the car is only insured in those countries.

    If you run into car trouble while abroad — which we hope won’t happen — don’t worry. Roadside assistance is included in your lease, both in the Netherlands and abroad.

    Want to be well prepared for your trip? Check the ANWB holiday guide: ANWB Reiswijzer (Dutch only).

    Curious about which countries require you to carry a green card? Visit the Council of Bureaux website: https://www.cobx.org/highcharts-maps

    Questions?

    Email us: info@directlease.nl
    Call us: +31 541 571 710

  • How can I request an insurance certificate or green card?

    You can easily request an insurance certificate (green card) yourself through our website. The green card is an international proof of insurance for your car.
    You can request your green card here.

    Want to know if a green card is required in a specific country? You can check that here as well.

    Questions?

    Email us: info@directlease.nl
    Call us: +31 541 571 710

  • Do I need a green card for a caravan, trailer or folding camper?

    If you are travelling abroad with a caravan, trailer or folding camper, the licence plate plays an important role in the validity of the green card.

    1. If the caravan or trailer has a different licence plate than your car, you will need to request an additional insurance certificate.

    2. If the trailer or caravan weighs less than 750 kg, you are covered under your current green card for the countries listed on it.

    3. If the trailer or caravan weighs more than 750 kg, some countries require a different green card. In Germany, Poland and Spain, the code must be F instead of AF.

    Need a different green card?
    Email us at info@directlease.nl and we’ll help you with the correct version.

    Questions?

    Email us: info@directlease.nl
    Call us: +31 541 571 710

  • Is the green card mandatory?

    The insurance certificate (green card) is only required when travelling to countries marked as "green" on this website: https://www.cobx.org/highcharts-maps

    Countries where a printed green card is mandatory include: Albania, Iran, Israel, Morocco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey and Belarus.

    I want to request a green card

    Planning to travel to or through one of these countries? Then make sure you carry a physical green card. It must be printed on green paper. You can print it yourself or request a printed version from us free of charge by emailing info@directlease.nl.

    Please request your green card at least one week before departure so it arrives on time.

    Questions?

    Email us: info@directlease.nl
    Call us: +31 541 571 710

  • I lost my green card. What should I do?

    No worries. You can request a new one from us free of charge.

    Questions?

    Email us: info@directlease.nl
    Call us: +31 541 571 710

  • Where can I find the green card number?

    On the green card, you will find the number under section 4: Country code, Insurer code and Number. This number consists of three parts and is needed when filling out the European accident statement.

    What does it include?

    • The policy number of your car insurance
      This unique code identifies your specific insurance policy.

    • The insurer code
      This is a three-digit number that refers to your insurance provider.

    • The country code where you live
      For the Netherlands, the country code is NL

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 760

  • When do I need to submit my annual mileage?

    Once you have been driving your private lease car for a full year, we will ask you to submit your mileage. You will receive an email from us, so you do not need to keep track of it yourself.

    All you need to do is follow the instructions in the email and enter your current mileage. We will take care of the rest.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: +31 541 571 760

  • Is there a difference between the official fuel consumption and real-world usage?

    Yes, in practice fuel consumption is often higher than the figures provided by the manufacturer. We understand you might wonder why that is. The explanation is simple: fuel consumption is tested under the most ideal conditions. For example:

    • The test cars use overinflated tyres with low rolling resistance

    • The grille and body seams are often taped to reduce air resistance

    • The cars are tested without extras. This means all options and accessories, such as roof rails, extra lights and power seats, are removed. This makes the car lighter and more aerodynamic

    • During testing, the car is shifted according to a fixed strategy set by the manufacturer. In real life, your shifting depends on traffic

    • The test does not consider your personal driving style. Hard acceleration, frequent braking and fast driving all increase fuel use

    • Features like air conditioning, heating and the radio are switched off during the test. Chances are you do use them when you drive

    How big is the difference?

    Here are a few examples to show the gap between official figures and real-world usage:

    • Kia Picanto
      According to WLTP, a Kia Picanto Comfortline uses 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres. That is about 1 litre per 20.4 kilometres.
      In practice, the average is closer to 6 litres per 100 kilometres. That equals roughly 1 litre per 16.7 kilometres.

    • Volkswagen Up!
      Official WLTP figures show 5.1 litres per 100 kilometres. That equals about 1 litre per 19.6 kilometres.
      Real-world usage is closer to 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres. That is about 1 litre per 18.5 kilometres.

    Want to check real-world fuel usage?
    Visit www.praktijkverbruik.nl to compare practical fuel consumption. Please note: results may still vary depending on your personal driving style.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 760