Welcome to rijbewijs.nl
Contents
- Passing your test
- You are in possession of a foreign driving license
- International driving license
- Road traffic signs and regulations in the Netherlands
- Development: a renewed driving licence
Welcome to rijbewijs.nl, the driving licence website of the Dutch government.
For information on driving tests, click here
For information on the exchange of driving licences, click here.
For the brochure 'Driving in the Netherlands with a valid driver's licence', containing information for foreign licence holders living in the Netherlands, click here
Passing your test
Apart from the existing tests in the Dutch language, the CBR also administers theory tests in English. These are read with a group of candidates in one session. In addition, candidates have the possibility of taking an individual oral test with the assistance of an interpreter, which has to be provided by the candidate.
Exchanging foreign driving licences
In certain cases, the driving licence that you obtained outside the Netherlands can be exchanged for a Dutch driving licence. However this is only possible if you are resident in the Netherlands and you have a valid residence permit. Valid driving licences issued in the following countries can be exchanged:
Austria
Aruba
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Denmark
Dutch Antilles
Germany
Estonia
Finland
France
Greece
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Jersey (States of)
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Isle of Man
Malta
Monaco
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Spain
Slovenia
Slovakia
The Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Driving licences issued in the following countries can only be exchanged for the specific categories:
- Taiwan - B - passenger vehicle - Dutch driving licence category B
- Israel - B - passenger vehicle - Dutch driving licence category B
- Japan -1B- passenger vehicle and motorcycle of more than 400cc - Dutch driving licence categories A and B
- Singapore - Class 2 – motorcycle of more than 400cc and Class 3 – passenger vehicle – Dutch driving licence categories A and B
- Andorra - passenger vehicle - Dutch driving licence category B
- South Korea - second class ordinary licence - Dutch driving licence category B
- Quebec (Canadian province) – class 5- Dutch driving licence category B
International driving licences
International driving licences are only legalised translations of a national driving licence. It is not possible to exchange an international driving licence for a Dutch driving licence. One condition that applies to exchanging a driving licence issued outside the Netherlands is that the driving licence must be valid at the time you make the application. A driving licence issued in a not EU/EES country must also have been issued in a particular year in which the applicant was resident in the country of issue for at least 185 days.
If your driving licence cannot be exchanged, you must take a regular theory and practical test at the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (CBR).
International driving license
A driver in international traffic is someone who does not live in the Netherlands but does drive a vehicle there. Examples are tourists, representatives and drivers of trucks or coaches. An international driving license is a legalised translation of a national driving license. Do you want more information about this subject?
Road traffic signs and regulations in the Netherlands
Through this link you can download a PDF-document that explains the road traffic signs and regulations in the Netherlands.
Development: a renewed driving licence
Starting the 1st of June 2002, the local authorities in the Netherlands will issue a renewed driving licence.
Although the renewed driving licence strongly resembles the old one, there are a few differences. The renewals have been made to further improve the quality of the document and upgrade fraud prevention to the current state of the art.
The procedure for the issue of driving licences by the municipalities will not be changed. It will continue to follow the principle "ready while you wait".
As from 1 October 2006 the procedure for the issue of driving licences at the municipalities will be changed. As from this date you will have to wait at least five days before you can get your driving licence. Unless it is urgent.
Click here to see the press release.