Traffic rulesNetherlands

Dutch driving licences are issued by the municipality where the applicant is registered, using the national driver records managed by the RDW.

The Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (CBR) conducts theory examinations, practical examinations and medical fitness assessments.

The RDW manages the national driving-licence register, card production, online renewal, foreign-licence exchange and the 2toDrive companion card.

Yes. A valid Dutch licence is recognised throughout the Netherlands, subject to its categories, conditions and current legal status.

Yes. A valid Dutch EU-format licence is generally recognised throughout the European Union and European Economic Area.

No. EU rules generally permit only one valid EU or EEA driving licence at a time.

Yes. A valid Dutch driving licence is widely accepted as official identification within the Netherlands, although it is not a travel document.

Yes. Drivers can view their driving-licence and personal data through Mijn RDW.

Yes. Eligible drivers can complete online renewal through the RDW and collect the new card from their municipality.

Yes. CBR fees are nationally set, while lesson prices, vehicle use, administration and package costs vary between driving schools.

The minimum age is 16 years.

Driving lessons can begin from age 16 years and 6 months.

The practical examination can be taken from age 17.

No. Until the eighteenth birthday, the driver may drive only with a registered coach under 2toDrive.

Yes, provided the category is valid and shown in the official driver record.

At the municipality where the applicant is registered in the Personal Records Database.

A valid passport or identity card and a compliant colour passport photograph are normally required.

Yes. A lawfully resident applicant registered in the Netherlands can follow the CBR examination route.

No. A current disqualification, invalid declaration or incompatible foreign-licence status must be resolved.

Yes. A category B applicant completes the CBR Health Declaration during the learning process.

Yes. The theory result must still be valid when the practical examination is passed.

Only after the municipality has issued the licence or the category is otherwise valid in the official record; a CBR pass result alone is not a driving licence.

It is the CBR questionnaire used to assess whether the applicant is medically fit to drive.

The applicant must complete it personally because it concerns confidential health information.

Yes. Depending on the answers, the CBR can request reports from one or more doctors or specialists.

Yes. A practical fitness-to-drive test may be required in addition to medical reports.

Yes. Vision can be assessed by the CBR, an optometrist, ophthalmologist or another authorised professional.

Yes. A harmonised restriction code is recorded when corrective lenses must be used.

Yes. Codes can require hand controls, an automatic transmission, special mirrors or another adaptation.

No. Fitness is assessed individually and the person may qualify with restrictions or vehicle adaptations.

Yes. The CBR may issue a Declaration of Fitness for a shorter period such as one, three or five years.

Yes. A driver who doubts whether it remains safe to drive should consult the CBR guidance and may need a new Health Declaration.

It is the Dutch accompanied-driving scheme that allows a 17-year-old who has passed category B to gain experience with registered coaches.

The begeleiderspas records the coaches approved to accompany the young driver.

It should be requested before the young driver applies for the first physical driving licence.

Yes. Multiple eligible coaches can be registered on the companion card through the RDW procedure.

At least 27 years old.

At least five years with a valid Dutch or qualifying EU or EFTA category B licence.

Yes. A coach with a valid WRM instructor card may be at least 23 and normally needs at least one year of category B experience.

Yes. The ordinary coach must be registered in the Dutch Personal Records Database.

No. The coach must satisfy the RDW record requirements concerning disqualification, alcohol programmes and other specified measures.

In the front passenger seat, sober and capable of advising the young driver.

Yes. The driver must carry the valid driving licence and companion card while driving before age 18.

The driver may drive without a coach and no longer needs to use the companion card.

There are 50 scored questions.

Yes. The examination also contains two test questions that do not count toward the result.

At least 44 out of 50.

The standard examination lasts 30 minutes.

The former separate sections were replaced by one integrated category B theory examination with one overall result.

Hazard recognition, traffic rules and practical traffic insight.

Yes. The CBR offers a standard English-language car theory examination.

Yes. Eligible candidates can book an examination with additional time.

Yes. A CBR employee can read the questions aloud in a separate room while the candidate selects the answers.

Yes, under the CBR interpreter procedure; the candidate normally arranges and pays for the interpreter.

It is normally valid for 18 months.

The candidate can reserve another examination and pay the applicable fee; there is no general statutory attempt limit.

No. The Netherlands does not prescribe one compulsory minimum for ordinary category B lessons.

An instructor holding a valid WRM instructor qualification.

No. The person must drive through authorised instruction until a valid category B licence has been issued.

Normally the driving school books it after the candidate authorises the school through Mijn CBR.

The total appointment lasts about 55 minutes.

The candidate drives for at least 35 minutes.

Independent driving, observation, vehicle control, priority, speed, positioning, environmental driving and interaction with other road users.

Yes. Part of the route can be driven independently using a navigation system or destination instructions.

Yes. Dangerous conduct, examiner intervention or a major traffic-rule violation can result in failure.

The tussentijdse toets is a trial examination used to practise the examination situation and receive feedback.

A satisfactory manoeuvre result can provide an exemption from the special manoeuvres during the later practical examination, subject to CBR rules.

A longer examination with extra time, a specially trained examiner and the possibility of a time-out.

The next attempt is a special examination conducted by the CBR’s specialised examination team.

Code 78 restricts the holder to vehicles without a manual clutch until the restriction is removed through a manual-car test.

It is an ordinary driving licence combined with a special penalty system for serious offences committed by new drivers.

Normally five years.

For a person whose first driving entitlement is obtained before age 18, such as AM or T, under the statutory rules.

Specified serious offences personally observed by police, such as dangerous following, serious speeding, collisions and other listed conduct.

The police notify the CBR, which can suspend the licence and require an investigation of driving ability.

No. The beginner system covers specified serious traffic offences, while the separate points licence applies to alcohol-related convictions.

No. It applies to all drivers.

Two qualifying alcohol convictions within five years, with the second exceeding the statutory threshold, can invalidate the licence by law.

Yes. Failure to cooperate with an imposed course or fitness investigation can cause the CBR to declare it invalid.

No. Points and measures are linked to the driver record, not the plastic card.

Mopeds, scooters, speed-pedelecs and light quadricycles within the statutory category limits.

Theory can be taken from 15 years and 6 months, and practical lessons and the practical test from age 16.

Light motorcycles up to 125 cm³, 11 kW and the prescribed power-to-weight limit.

Motorcycles up to 35 kW with the prescribed power-to-weight conditions.

Unrestricted motorcycles under the direct-access or progressive-access age and experience rules.

Vehicles up to 3,500 kg with no more than eight passenger seats in addition to the driver.

A trailer up to 750 kg, or a heavier trailer where the total authorised combination mass does not exceed 3,500 kg.

A category B combination above 3,500 kg but not exceeding 4,250 kg.

A category B towing vehicle with a trailer within the category BE limits and the vehicle’s technical limits.

Agricultural and forestry tractors and mobile machines driven on public roads.

C1 covers medium goods vehicles above 3,500 kg and up to 7,500 kg; C covers heavier goods vehicles.

D1 covers smaller buses within its passenger and length limits; D covers larger buses.

No. Heavy-vehicle and bus categories normally have shorter validity and medical-renewal periods.

The EU professional-competence code required for many professional lorry and bus drivers.

Yes, unless the driver has an acquired right or statutory exemption.

Yes. Professional drivers normally complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years.

At least part of the periodic programme must consist of practical training under the current Code 95 rules.

Yes. The CBR must issue a valid Declaration of Fitness.

A replacement card can add the renewed Code 95 while preserving the existing category end date.

No. The driver must hold both the appropriate C or D entitlement and Code 95.

Normally 10 years, unless age or medical fitness produces a shorter period.

The licence is normally valid until the seventy-fifth birthday.

A maximum of five years.

The driver must complete a Health Declaration and medical assessment; the new licence is normally valid for up to five years.

No. Continued entitlement depends on medical fitness.

The government advises beginning approximately four months before expiry.

Yes. Eligible drivers can use an RDW-approved photographer and complete online renewal.

The RDW states that it is normally ready for collection from the municipality after two working days.

The holder reports the licence lost through the RDW or municipality and requests a replacement.

No. The person must not drive until a valid new licence is available.

Yes. A valid licence is generally recognised, subject to the Dutch residence and document-validity rules.

No. It can often be used until the applicable Dutch recognition period ends, after which exchange is required.

For 185 days after becoming resident.

The resident needs a Dutch licence to continue driving.

No. Exchange is limited to designated countries, EU or EEA licences, qualifying former Dutch licence holders and certain tax-benefit cases.

A person qualifying for the relevant Dutch expatriate tax facility may be able to exchange a valid foreign licence under the RDW conditions.

The resident must pass the Dutch CBR theory and practical examinations.

Yes. The municipality sends it to the RDW and it is normally returned to the issuing authority.

Yes. Eligible Dutch licence holders can obtain the relevant permit through the authorised Dutch motoring organisation.

No. It must be carried together with the valid physical Dutch driving licence.

A blood-alcohol concentration of 0.5‰, corresponding to 220 micrograms per litre of breath.

0.2‰ blood alcohol or 88 micrograms per litre of breath.

Generally during the first five years, or seven years when the first licence was obtained before age 18 under the applicable rule.

Yes. It can lead to criminal penalties, a driving ban and CBR fitness measures.

An educational measure concerning alcohol and traffic imposed by the CBR in qualifying alcohol cases.

An educational measure concerning behaviour and traffic, imposed after specified dangerous or antisocial driving.

Normally yes while the licence remains valid, but failure to cooperate or pay causes the CBR to declare it invalid.

Yes. Police reports involving alcohol, drugs, medical concerns or unsafe behaviour can lead to an investigation.

Yes. Serious driving behaviour or repeated offences can trigger an assessment of driving competence.

Yes. Criminal disqualification and CBR administrative measures can operate separately.

This FAQ was prepared from current CBR, RDW and Dutch government guidance.

This website is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with the CBR, RDW, a municipality, examination centre, medical assessor or driving school.

Official legislation and instructions from the competent authority always take precedence. Last reviewed: 4 August 2026.