Nearly 10% of Dutch households cannot afford a car

Priceless

Over a quarter of all Dutch households currently do not own a car. But of all those carless households, about a third are without a car due to lack of money, KiM’ s research shows. In total, this is 7.5 to 9 percent of households – some 650,000 people who would like a car at their doorstep, but simply do not have the means for it.

No money, no driver’s license, no car

For some Dutch, getting a driver’s license is already the biggest problem because of the high cost. Getting the pink pass these days quickly costs thousands of euros. If they do make it, then buying a used car is the next financial obstacle. Then you still have to fuel, insure, maintain and pay road taxes.

Less freedom of movement

The survey found that nearly a quarter of financially carless households regularly struggle to get anywhere as a result. Whether it’s to visit family, get groceries or a doctor’s appointment. That’s a lot higher than among people who don’t have a car for other reasons and certainly compared to those who do have one.

Fewer opportunities

The difference in accessibility leads to a difference in opportunities. After all, how do you reach a job interview out of town without a car? Or how do you get three children to school, daycare and sports club on time when public transport runs every 20 minutes – if it runs at all?

Yet even half of financially carless households say they get by just fine. Some are lucky to have good public transportation nearby. Others occasionally borrow a car from family or neighbors, or plan their week to the minute to get everything around by bike.

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