The Netherlands Vehicle Authority (Rijjksdienst voor het Wegverkeer / RDW) is responsible for issuing driving licenses.
The Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen / CBR) is responsible for administering driving tests.
Driving in the Netherlands with a foreign driving license
If you live in the Netherlands and have a foreign driving license, you are allowed to continue using that license for a specified period of time, depending on where the license was issued.
European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) License
If your driving license was issued by a European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country before you started living in the Netherlands, you can drive in the Netherlands for a period of up to 2, 5 or 15 years depending on the category, date of issue, and expiration date. See the RDW website for the most up-to-date regulations.
Once your foreign driving license is no longer valid in the Netherlands, you will only be allowed to drive in the Netherlands with a Dutch driving license. You can exchange your foreign driving license for a Dutch one at your local municipality. Make sure you apply on time!
Note: If your driving license was issued in another EU/EFTA country while you were already living in the Netherlands, you are not allowed to drive in the Netherlands with that license. You must first exchange it for a Dutch driving license.
Non-EU/EFTA license
Note: If your license does not use the A, B, C, D, E categories, you should also have an international driving license, which you can apply for in your home country. Note: An international driving license is only an authenticated translation of your driving license and cannot be exchanged for a Dutch driving license.
You can use a non-EU/EFTA license for up to 185 days after registering in the Netherlands. Always check the RDW website for the most up-to-date regulations.
After this period, you may only drive in the Netherlands with a Dutch driving license. You will need to either exchange your driving license for a Dutch license if you are eligible to do so (this option is only available for driving licenses issued by certain countries or for internationals who have the 30% ruling) or apply for a Dutch license. If you are allowed to exchange your foreign driving license for a Dutch one, you can do so at your local municipality. However, make sure you apply on time! Once the relevant time period has expired, you will only be allowed to drive in the Netherlands with a Dutch driving license.
Exchanging your driving license
Who is allowed to exchange their driving license?
- Holders of a driving license issued by an EU/ EFTA country.
- Holders of a driving license issued by certain non-European countries. Check the list of countries/categories on the RDW website.
- Highly skilled migrants who have the 30% tax ruling. You and your spouse can exchange your foreign driving license(s) for a Dutch driving license, regardless of the country of issue. You will need to get proof of the 30% ruling (beschikking bewijsregel) from the Dutch Tax authorities (Belastingdienst).
Tip: You must have lived in the country where the license was issued for 185 days in the year of issue.
How do you exchange a driving license?
- First get a health certificate (gezondheidsverklaring) from the CBR (Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing) through DigiD. There is a fee for this, and it can take a few weeks to receive your health certificate.
- Bring the health certificate, proof of 30% ruling (if applicable), passport, current driving license, and color passport photo to the city hall. You may need to make an appointment.
- Complete the application form and pay the fee.
- The municipality forwards the application to the RDW (Rijksdienst van het Wegverkeer).
- If everything is in order, you will receive a letter from the RDW within 15 working days saying that you can collect your Dutch driving license from the municipality after 5 working days. You will need to bring your passport to collect your new driving license. If the RDW needs more information, they will send you a letter explaining what they need. The process will then take longer.
Be aware that your current (foreign) driving license will not be returned to you. You will only get the new Dutch one.
Applying for a Dutch driving license
To obtain a Dutch driving license, you will need to take both a theory test and a practical driving exam through the CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen / Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing). Only licensed driving instructors can give driving lessons in the Netherlands. You can find details of accredited driving instructors on the CBR website.
The theory test is available in Dutch and English, and there is also the option to use an interpreter, but you must arrange this in advance. For more information, see the CBR website. Some driving schools have English-speaking driving instructors.
Note: Apply on time! Once your current driving license is no longer valid in the Netherlands, you will only be allowed to drive in the Netherlands with a Dutch driving license.