Getting a driving license in the Netherlands
for knowledge migrants

15 Feb 2010

Getting a car-driving license in the Netherlands
for an expat is considered to be a very difficult
and at the same time a very expensive
proposition. There are lots to be done, right from
attending theory classes, to taking driving
lessons, to giving practical tests etc. and yet
there is no guarantee that one will surely pass
the difficult Dutch license test.

But if one falls under the knowledge migrant
category of expats, getting a driving license
becomes both easy and inexpensive. Want to
know how..? Read on.

It can be done by a simple process called
Exchanging Driver's License. This means
exchanging your old (the driving license from
your native country) driving license with a new
Dutch one. Here is the step by step guide:

› The first and the foremost thing is to have your
30% tax ruling document in place. This can be
collected from your office HR department.

› Go to Gemeente (town hall) with this document
and residence permit. There you need to
purchase a form called "Eigen Verklaring" which
is a health form. It costs around 20 euros. Fill in
this form (it asks some basic health questions)
and then post it by simple mail to CBR. The
address is mentioned on the envelope. In case
you answer "yes" to any of the health questions,
attach a doctor's certificate with it.

› Within 3 weeks you will receive a confirmation
from CBR stating that you are qualified to drive
in Netherlands and do not have any health
issues. This is good news!!