Letter from the CJIB? What to do about a Dutch fine
Short answer: the CJIB collects Dutch fines, most often traffic fines. Pay within the period on the letter (about 8 weeks) or appeal within 6 weeks of the letter date. If you ignore it, the amount goes up to 1.5 times and then 3 times the original fine.
What is the CJIB?
The CJIB (Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau) is the Dutch government's collection agency for fines. It is part of the Ministry of Justice and Security and is based in Leeuwarden. It doesn't decide the fine; it collects it.
A letter code at the top right tells you what kind of letter you have:
| Code | What it is |
|---|---|
| M | Traffic fine (verkeersboete, under the Wet Mulder). Pay within 8 weeks, or appeal within 6 weeks. |
| O | Penalty order (strafbeschikking) from the Public Prosecution Service (OM) for more serious offences. Object (verzet) within 14 days; it can lead to a criminal record entry. |
The CJIB also collects some other amounts, such as the CAK fine for not having Dutch health insurance (see the health insurance guide).
Parking ticket? If you didn't pay for parking, the ticket (naheffingsaanslag parkeerbelasting) comes from your gemeente, not the CJIB, and you object to the gemeente. Parking where it is not allowed at all is a CJIB traffic fine.
How long do I have to pay?
- A traffic fine has to be paid within 8 weeks. The letter shows the date by which the money must have reached the CJIB, so don't pay on the last day.
- Since 1 July 2026 the CJIB sends a free reminder (betalingsherinnering) before any surcharge. This is a trial that runs for at least 18 months.
What happens if I don't pay?
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fine (beschikking) | The original amount, e.g. €100 |
| 1st reminder (eerste aanmaning) | 1.5 times: €150, pay within 4 weeks |
| 2nd reminder (tweede aanmaning) | 3 times: €300 |
After that the CJIB can issue an enforcement order (dwangbevel) carried out by a bailiff (deurwaarder), which adds costs. It can also take money from your wages, benefits or bank account. As a last resort it can take your driving licence or your car off the road for up to 4 weeks.
Something outside your control stopped you from paying? Contact the CJIB. Since June 2025 it can cancel surcharges in cases of overmacht (force majeure) or when they would be unreasonably harsh.
How to pay
- Online: log in to the CJIB's online portal with DigiD, or scan the QR code on the letter.
- Bank transfer: use the account number on the letter and the 16-digit CJIB number as the payment reference.
- In instalments (betalingsregeling): possible if you owe at least €75 in total (admin costs not counted) and kept to any previous arrangement in the last 6 months. Ask as early as possible.
Don't agree with the fine? Appeal
For a traffic fine (letter code M):
- Appeal to the public prosecutor (officier van justitie, Parket CVOM) within 6 weeks of the date on the letter. You can do this online at verkeer.loket.om.nl (in Dutch) or by post. You don't have to pay while your appeal is being handled. A decision usually follows within 16 weeks.
- Rejected? Pay within 2 weeks once the decision is final, or appeal to the subdistrict court (kantonrechter) within 6 weeks. At that stage you first pay a security deposit (zekerheidsstelling), normally the amount of the fine. Without it, your appeal is not heard unless you can show you can't pay.
"Someone else was driving" is not a defence. The registered keeper of the car (kentekenhouder) is responsible for traffic fines. The main exceptions: the car was used against your will (for example stolen), it was rented out commercially for 3 months or less, or you can prove you had sold it.
- Rental car: the rental company appeals with the rental contract, and you receive the fine at home.
- Lease or company car: the fine goes to the lease company or owner. They may pass it on to you, sometimes with an admin fee. Contact them quickly so the deadline isn't missed.
Is this letter real?
- The CJIB never sends fines or reminders by email. Emails, text messages or WhatsApp messages asking you to pay a fine are fake.
- Real fines arrive by post. Check your fines yourself by logging in with DigiD on cjib.nl, not through a link in a message.
- Questions in English: call +31 58 234 2130 (weekdays 08:00 to 17:00) or see cjib.nl/en.
- Forward fake emails to valse-email@fraudehelpdesk.nl. Already paid a fake request? Report it to the police.
Words on the letter
| Dutch | Meaning |
|---|---|
| beschikking | The formal decision that gives you the fine |
| CJIB-nummer | 16-digit number on every letter; use it as payment reference |
| betalingskenmerk | Payment reference |
| betalingsherinnering | Free reminder, no surcharge |
| aanmaning | Formal reminder that adds a surcharge |
| verhoging | The surcharge |
| dwangbevel | Enforcement order, carried out by a bailiff |
| zekerheidsstelling | Security deposit for an appeal to the court |
| kentekenhouder | Registered keeper of the vehicle |
Your checklist
- Letter code checked (M, O or other)
- Payment date in your calendar
- Paid with the 16-digit CJIB number, or asked for instalments
- Disagree? Appeal filed within 6 weeks of the letter date
- Lease or company car? Lease company or employer informed
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How long do I have to pay a Dutch traffic fine?
8 weeks. The letter shows the date by which the money must reach the CJIB. If you don't pay, a free reminder follows, then reminders that raise the amount to 1.5 times and then 3 times the original fine.
Can I pay a CJIB fine in instalments?
Yes, if you owe at least €75 in total, not counting admin costs, and you kept to any earlier arrangement in the last 6 months. Ask as early as possible.
Someone else was driving my car. Do I still have to pay?
Usually yes. For traffic fines the registered keeper of the car is responsible, whoever was driving. Exceptions include a stolen car, a short commercial rental and a car you had already sold.
I got a text message about an unpaid CJIB fine. Is it real?
No. The CJIB doesn't send fines or reminders by email, and messages by text or WhatsApp asking you to pay are fake. Log in with DigiD on cjib.nl to check whether you really have a fine.
Does the CJIB help in English?
Yes. The CJIB has English pages at cjib.nl/en and an English phone line: +31 58 234 2130, weekdays from 08:00 to 17:00.
Official sources
- https://www.cjib.nl/en/our-procedures-traffic-fines
- https://www.cjib.nl/bedragen-verhogingen
- https://www.cjib.nl/en/id-pay-my-fine-instalments
- https://www.cjib.nl/en/do-you-disagree-traffic-fine
- https://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/v/verkeersboete/beroep-verkeersboete
- https://www.rechtspraak.nl/onderwerpen/verkeersovertredingen/beroepsprocedure-verkeersboetes
- https://www.cjib.nl/cjib-never-sends-fines-or-reminders-email
- https://www.cjib.nl/en/contact
Last checked 7 October 2026. The CJIB and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) are the official sources for your case. Stapje explains letters; it is not a lawyer or a government service.