Driving licence in the Netherlands

When it comes to driving in the Netherlands, new expats can continue to use their foreign driving licence for a certain period of time after they arrive in the country. The length of licence validity can vary greatly - from six months up to 15 years - depending on the country of issue. Here's what you need to know about using a foreign driving licence in the Netherlands, and how to exchange it for a Dutch one. 

Expats & driving licences

If you are planning to stay long-term in the Netherlands, it is often worth exchanging your foreign driving licence for a Dutch rijbewijs.

For citizens of most European countries, you can normally continue to use your licence from your home country until it expires.

For non-European expats who plan to stay for longer than six months, you will need to exchange your licence within that first six-month period. See below for more specific details.

If you are unable to exchange your licence for a Dutch one, you may have to take a driving test at the CBR. It's worth preparing for this with some driving lessons. Driving School Capabel offers driving instruction in English. Contact them for a no-obligation quote.

Using a foreign driving licence in the Netherlands

There are different lengths of validity in the Netherlands for driving licences issued to citizens of the EU/EEA and for citizens from outside Europe.

If you have a EU/EEA driving licence

If you are an EU/EEA citizen and your licence was issued before January 19, 2013, then you can drive on that licence for 10 years after it was issued.

If your licence is already over nine years old, you may continue to drive with it for another two years, from the date of your registration with your municipality, as long as it remains valid.

For EU/EEA licences issued after January 19, 2013, holders can drive with them for up to 15 years, as long as the licence remains valid.

Once the validity of the original licence ends, the holder will need to apply for a Dutch driving licence.

If you have a non-EU/EAA driving licence

For citizens of all countries outside the EU/EEA (including the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba), licences are valid for 185 days from the date you register at your local municipality. After that, you must get a Dutch driving licence.

Depending on whether your country of origin has a driving licence agreement with the Netherlands (see below), you may be able to simply exchange your driving licence, or you may be required to take the Dutch driving exams. 

If you do not apply to exchange your driving licence for a Dutch one within the 185-day period, you will be required to take the driving exams, even if your country has an agreement with the Netherlands. 

International driving licence

If you continue to drive in the Netherlands on a foreign driving licence (for up to 185 days), and your driving licence is not divided into the A, B, C, D & E categories, then you should apply for an international driving licence. 

Also known as an international driving permit or IDP, this document is essentially a translation of your driving licence. You should apply for an international driving licence in the country where your driving licence was issued. 

Conditions for exchanging a foreign driving licence in the Netherlands

In order to exchange a foreign driving licence for a Dutch driving licence, applicants will need to meet the following conditions:

• You are a registered resident of the Netherlands with a valid residence permit (if applicable).
• You are a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland; or you are from a country with a special driving licence agreement with the Netherlands (see below); or you benefit from the 30% ruling (see below).
• Your non-EU/EEA driving licence is valid at the time of the application.
• If your EU/EEA licence is expired, it may be exchanged as long as you have a declaration from the agency in the country where the driving licence was issued in which they state they have no objection with your being issued a Dutch driving licence.
• You obtained your current driving licence while being a resident of that country for at least half a year (185 days). Evidence for this can be copies from your passport (including blank pages), airplane tickets, or salary or tax documents.

Countries with special licence exchange agreements

Countries that have special agreements with the Netherlands to exchange licences are listed below. Note that licences can only be exchanged if they are valid for the stated categories:

• Dutch driving licence category B: Andorra, Canadian provinces Alberta & Quebec (Class 5), Israel (B), Taiwan (B), South Korea (2nd class ordinary licence)
• Dutch driving licence category A and B:  Japan (1B), Singapore (Class 2 & Class 3)
• All categories: Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Monaco, Northern Ireland, (former) Netherlands Antilles, the UK

If you have previously held a Dutch driving licence (valid after June 30, 1985) then you only need to prove the conditions for the categories you did not have on your previous driving licence.

If you do not meet any of these conditions above, you cannot exchange your licence for a Dutch one. You will, therefore, need to take the theory and practical tests to get a Dutch driving licence. If you are unsure whether you meet the conditions, check with your municipality.

30% ruling and the Dutch driving licence

One major exception to this is that you can exchange your driving licence for a Dutch one if you are eligible for the 30% ruling, regardless your country of origin. In this case, you should follow the procedure outlined below, and also submit your 30% ruling statement issued by the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax office) to your municipality.

How to exchange a foreign driving licence

To exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dutch driving licence, you will need to apply at the municipality where you are registered. They will forward your exchange application to the RDW. The RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer - Road Transportation Authority) is a government agency that issues driving licences, supervises vehicle registrations, and monitors the technical condition of motor vehicles.

The appraisal process takes approximately two weeks (or longer, depending on wait times) and applicants are not permitted to drive while their application is being processed.

For the application, you will need: 

• Proof of ID, such as a passport
• Your BSN
• Your residence permit
• Your foreign driving licence (you may also need to get it translated)
• Evidence that the 30% ruling applies you you (if applicable)
• Certificate of fitness (VvG - see below) 
• A photo

The application costs around 60 euros.

Please note that additional documents may be required for heavy duty and commercial licences.

Certificate of fitness (VvG)

You may also be asked for a certificate of fitness or VvG (verklaring van geschiktheid) to prove you are physically and psychologically fit to drive a vehicle. You can get the VvG from your municipality, at Mijn CBR (log in with your DigiD) or from certain expat centres.

A VvG is needed if:

• A new driving licence category is being added (except AM category)
• You have a category C and/or D driving licence
• You have a driving licence that was issued outside of the EU or EFTA
• You have a medical condition
• You are 75+ years old (or you 70+ years old and your licence would expire on or after you turn 75)

After you have submitted your form to the CBR, they will notify you when your VvG has been registered and let you know if you need to have an additional health check. After this, you can apply to exchange your driving licence.

Collecting your driving licence

If the application is successful, you will receive your new Dutch driving licence two to four weeks later. The RDW will send your licence to your local office, where you can go to pick it up. 

Driving tests in the Netherlands

Internationals who are unable to exchange their foreign driving licence for a Dutch one will have to take a driving test at the CBR, with both theoretical and practical sections. The CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheid - Central Office of Driving Certification) is responsible for conducting driving exams in the Netherlands for all motor vehicles, including cars, scooters, motorbikes and trucks.

If you are learning to drive a car for the first time then you can both take driving lessons and do the exams in the Netherlands.

The process for learning to drive and applying for a licence is as follows:

• First, check with your municipality if you are eligible for a driving licence.
• Select a driving school for practical and (optional) theory lessons.
• Request a theory exam with the CBR (available in English).
• Do the theory exam (auto theorie).
• Complete a health statement (eigen verklaring).
• Request a practical exam with the CBR (via your driving school).
• Do the practical exam (auto praktijk).
• Provide your certificate to your municipality to collect your driving licence.

Driving lessons in the Netherlands

You are not required to take driving lessons before taking your practical driving test in the Netherlands, but it would be hard to pass the exam without doing so. Most driving instructors recommend that people with little or no driving experience take at least 20 to 35 lessons before attempting to pass the practical exam. 

There is a good number of driving schools in the Netherlands, and many of them even offer lessons in English. Via the CBR website, you can search for accredited instructors, and also check the pass rates of their students. 

Driving theory exam

Driving theory tests are administrated in Dutch and English (which is slightly more expensive) at 20 driving theory examination centres all over the Netherlands. The test is done on a computer and takes 45 minutes. It covers hazard recognition (25 questions), traffic rules (28 questions) and understanding of traffic (12 questions).

You need to be at least 16 years of age to take the test and you will need to pass it in order to take the practical test. 

You can study for the test with a special theory course at a driving school, although this is not mandatory. Or you can study the theory yourself with a theory book, available from (online) bookstores, your driving school or publishers of traffic resources. It is also possible to take a course online, and there are several websites that offer courses.

Theorie Snel Halen offers fast and effective preparation for the Dutch driving theory exam, available both in-person and via their app in Dutch and English, with a proven 97% success rate.

Booking your driving theory exam

To arrange an appointment for your theory exam, log in at Mijn CBR with your DigiD and:

• Choose "Theorie-examen reserveren"
• Choose the vehicle, time, place and language for your test
• Pay via iDEAL

You will receive your confirmation by email. Make sure you have proper identification (such as a passport) and are registered with your municipality before you make a booking. If you need to change the date, you can do so via Mijn CBR.

Getting your theory test result

You will receive your results immediately after the test ends. If you pass, you must take your practical driving test within 18 months in order to get your driving licence. If you do not take your practical test within this period, you will need to redo your theory test. 

Personal declaration

After you have passed the theory test, but before you can take your practical examination, you will need to purchase and fill in an eigen verklaring (personal declaration), which can be found at Mijn CBR. This is to determine if you are healthy enough to undertake a practical examination.

Driving practical exam

The practical examination takes 55 minutes at one of the practical exam centres across the Netherlands. Only driving schools are able to book you in for a practical exam, so you will need to find a suitable driving school and arrange it with them.

The exam can be conducted in any language, and your driving school should be able to help you if you need an interpreter. You must take this test within 18 months of passing your theory test, and you need to be at least 17 years old.

Documents needed to take practical driving exam

The documents you'll need for the practical exam include:

• Valid proof or identification (ID or passport)
• Theory examination certificate
• VvG (if necessary)
• Official notification of appointment letter
• Zelfreflectie (self-reflection) form, which you will discuss with your examiner after the exam

If you are especially anxious about taking exams, it is possible to request a faalangstexamen. This is a longer exam with an examiner who is specially trained in helping people with anxiety.

What to expect from your practical driving test

During the practical exam, you will be asked to perform a basic eye test (reading a car number plate about 25 metres away), and answer some questions about different car parts. You'll then go for a drive with the examiner, following their instructions. You'll also be asked to drive independently to a destination using a navigation system. You can do the test in your own car, or your driving school's car, and you may be able to have someone else in the car with you, like your driving instructor or an interpreter. 

When the test ends, the examiner will tell you whether you've passed and discuss your self-reflection form with you. If you pass, you will immediately receive both a certificate of competence (Verklaring van rijvaardigheid) and a certificate of fitness (Verklaring van geschiktheid). Once you present them to your municipality, you will receive your new driving licence within five days.

Renewing a Dutch driving licence

Just like most EU driving licences, a Dutch driving licence is valid for 10 years from the date of issue and should be renewed before it expires. Before your Dutch licence expires, the RDW will send a reminder to your home address. All you need to do is go to your municipality, bringing the required documents, and pay the fee. Your new driving licence will be ready to collect within five working days. 

Some municipalities also offer the option to renew a driving licence online. To do this, you'll need to have a passport photo taken by an RDW-recognised photographer, who then sends your photo and signature to the RDW. You'll then receive an email on how to proceed. 

Your driving licence has expired if one or more of the categories listed on the back of your licence is no longer valid. Again, you can simply renew the licence at your municipality.

Renewing a foreign driving licence in the Netherlands

For expats living in the Netherlands, it’s not possible to renew a foreign or EU/EAA driving licence; you will instead need to apply to the RDW for a Dutch driving licence.

Lost or stolen driving licence

If your Dutch or EU/EEA driving licence has been lost or stolen, you must lodge a police declaration with the municipality where you are registered to receive a new one. For a lost EU/EEA licence, you will need to provide extra documentation.

If your non-EU/EEA driving licence is lost or stolen in the Netherlands, you will need to successfully complete the Dutch driving exams to receive a new (Dutch) driving licence.