RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in Netherlands

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, category B

Getting your licence in Netherlands

Theory questions, in one test50
Pass mark44/50
Time for the theory test30 min
Theory test fee (CBR, 2026)€50.50
Driving test fee (CBR, 2026)€143.50

Some theory questions use short animated clips of traffic situations.

Before you start driving

2
Learner permitNone. You learn with an instructor, in a dual-control car.
Medical checkA health declaration (Eigen verklaring) is only needed for some conditions, and from age 75.

Required lessons

2
Driving lessonsNo minimum is required. Most learners take around 40 lessons.
PracticeOnly with a driving instructor. Practising with family isn't allowed, except with 2toDrive after you've passed.

Good to know

8
Minimum age18. Theory test from 16. From 17 you can get a licence for accompanied driving (2toDrive) with a named coach until you turn 18.
Licence validity10 years for category B.
Exam languagesTheory test in Dutch or English (English costs €57).
If you failBook and pay again with the CBR.
Automatic or manualPassing in an automatic limits you to automatics.
New drivers5 years as a novice driver (7 if you start at 17). Too many serious offences means a mandatory course, or losing the licence.
Already have a licence from abroad?EU and EEA licences stay valid. Licences from the RDW list (including the UK, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan) are exchanged without tests. If you have the 30% tax ruling for skilled migrants, any licence can be exchanged, and the same goes for your family. Others take the theory and practical tests.
Also worth knowing
  • Driving test waiting times can be long. Your driving school usually books it for you.
  • Watch out for cyclists everywhere, especially when turning right across a cycle lane.

Step by step

  1. Theory testAt a CBR centre: 50 questions in 30 minutes.
  2. Driving lessonsWith an instructor.
  3. Driving testWith a CBR examiner, including a stretch of independent driving.
  4. Novice period5 years with stricter rules.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • The test is about driving safely, not perfectly. A mistake you correct safely doesn't have to cost you the pass.
  • If the examiner has to step in, you fail.
  • Special manoeuvres, such as parking or a hill start, must be safe rather than perfect. If you pass the optional interim test (tussentijdse toets), offered again at all CBR locations since 30 March 2026, you skip some of them in the final test.
  • Don't book too early. In 2018 the CBR was stopping about 130 tests a month for dangerous driving, often by candidates with too few lessons.

Based on: NOS: 130 driving tests a month stopped for dangerous driving (CBR, 2018, Dutch) ↗ · AutoScout24: Tips for the practical car test (Dutch) ↗ · NOS: Interim test returns to all CBR locations (February 2026, Dutch) ↗

Official links

CBR (official) ↗Wegenverkeerswet 1994 (Road Traffic Act) ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

Our responsibility. We work hard to keep RoadVisa correct, but we can't promise it is complete or up to date. As far as the law allows, we are not responsible for fines, refused applications, costs or other losses that come from relying on it.

Links to other sites. We link to official and other websites for your convenience. We don't control them and aren't responsible for their content.

Found a mistake? Use the report form above. What you send is used only to check and correct the information. See our privacy notice.