DIENST WEGVERKEER (RDW)

Their core work

RDW is the Netherlands Vehicle Authority, the Dutch public body responsible for vehicle admission, registration, and oversight of road vehicles. In H2020, they contribute regulatory expertise and real-world testing infrastructure to connected and automated driving initiatives. Their role focuses on harmonizing testing standards, ensuring cybersecurity compliance, and enabling large-scale piloting of automated vehicles on European roads. They bridge the gap between automotive innovation and the regulatory frameworks needed to deploy it safely.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

RDW's early H2020 involvement (2016-2017) combined policy coordination for automated driving with an investment in data science and complex systems research through DSSC. From 2018 onward, they shifted decisively toward hands-on testing infrastructure — cybersecurity, positioning, and communications standards for automated vehicles. The trajectory shows a move from strategic coordination toward operational testing and technical standard-setting.

RDW is positioning itself as Europe's go-to public authority for validating and certifying automated driving technologies, with growing emphasis on cybersecurity and V2X communications testing.

How they like to work

RDW exclusively participates as a partner or third party — never as coordinator — which reflects their role as a regulatory authority contributing domain expertise rather than leading research agendas. With 88 unique partners across 15 countries, they operate in large European consortia (typical for transport CSAs and IAs). Their consistent presence in major automated driving projects suggests they are a trusted institutional partner that consortia actively seek for regulatory credibility.

Extensive European network of 88 partners across 15 countries, built through participation in flagship automated driving consortia. Their connections span automotive OEMs, research institutes, and other national vehicle authorities across Western and Northern Europe.

What sets them apart

RDW brings something few partners can offer: the perspective and authority of a national vehicle registration and type-approval body. For any consortium working on automated or connected driving, having RDW on board means direct access to regulatory insight and real-world vehicle compliance requirements. They are one of the few public authorities actively engaged in shaping how automated vehicles will be tested and admitted to European roads.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HEADSTART
  Largest funding (EUR 285,000) and most technically focused — harmonizing testing methods for cybersecurity, positioning, and communications in automated transport.
• L3Pilot
  Major European piloting project for automated driving on real roads, with RDW contributing regulatory and testing expertise to field operational tests.
• ARCADE
  Strategic coordination project aligning all European connected and automated driving research — positions RDW at the policy nexus of the sector.