Are you living in the Netherlands and do you still have a foreign driving license? After some time, you need to exchange it for a Dutch driving license.
A foreign driving license allows you to drive in the Netherlands. The length of the validity can vary, depending on the country of issue. We have summarized the most important information for you.
Exchanging your foreign driving license for a Dutch driving license is only possible when you meet certain conditions:
Did you get your driving license while already living in the Netherlands? Then, it is not allowed to drive with that foreign driving license in the Netherlands.
How long you can continue to drive in the Netherlands with a foreign license depends on the country where you've got your driving license. Did you get your driver's license in a country of the EU (European Union) or EFTA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland)? Then you may, after the issue date, continue to drive for 15 years in the Netherlands with the following licenses:
With the following driving licenses, you may only continue to drive in the Netherlands for 5 years after the issue date:
Are you from a country outside the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland? Then, you may only drive for 185 days in the Netherlands with your driving license. You must also have lived in the issuing country for at least 185 days. You can prove this by, for example, submitting an employer's statement or tax documents on your application.
It is not always the case that you can simply exchange your driving license. You may have to take a new theory and practical exam at the CBR, the Central Office of Driving Certification.
The Netherlands has made an exception for people who come from the following countries and live in the Netherlands for work. Exchanging your driving license is possible if you come from one of the following countries: Andorra, Alberta (Canadian province), Quebec (Canadian province), Gibraltar, Great Britain, Guernsey, Israel, Japan, Jersey, Man, Monaco, Northern Ireland, Singapore, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), South Korea, and the former Netherlands Antilles (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten).
Are you eligible to exchange your foreign driver's license for a Dutch driving license? Then, you need certain documents to perform the exchange. The costs of the exchange of your driving license vary per municipality. You need the following documents for exchanging your driving license:br>
Are you not from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland? Then you must also have a 'Verklaring van Geschiktheid' (Certificate of Suitability). This is issued by the CBR. Do you have a notation on your driving license? Then, you must also have a Verklaring van Geschiktheid. According to the law, you must have a Verklaring van Geschiktheid to drive. Meaning, that you are physically and mentally capable of driving. You can get this form from the CBR. Often, you can also obtain this form from the municipality.
Take all the documents to the municipality. Here, you fill in an application form, which you must also sign. The municipality then sends the application to RDW. They will process the application. The foreign driving license will be returned to the country where it was issued.
If the application for an exchange of driving license is approved, you will receive a letter that you can pick up the driving license at the municipality, often within 5 working days. Tip: don't forget to bring your identification when you go to pick up your driving license!
Enough about exchanging foreign driving licenses. What to do if you don't have a (foreign) driving license yet and would like to get one? How does the Dutch driving license system actually work?
Take driving lessons
If you want to get your car driving license (driving license B) in the Netherlands, you have to take driving lessons at a driving school. You can find good driving school owners in your area here.
Costs of getting your driver's license
The total cost depends on the number of driving lessons you need and the number of times you have to take the exam. On average, you will need about 38 hours of lessons before you can take the exam. In addition to taking driving lessons, you must take a theory exam at the CBR. Finally, you will have to perform a driving exam. You are free to choose to do an intermediate test, which means you don't have to do special operations like parking and the slope test on the driving test.
When can I start getting my driver's license?
In the Netherlands, you can get your driver's license from the age of 17. However, you can already pass the theory exam at the age of 16 and start driving lessons at the age of 16,5. Only when you are 17, you may take the driving exam. Until you are 18, you have to drive with a coach next to you. This must be someone that you know, and he also has to meet a certain number of conditions.
Once you have got your driver's license, you can apply for it at the municipality where you live.