Updated April 24, 2026
Driving License in Netherlands for Expats
Yes, for EU / EEA / Swiss: up to 15 years from the original issue date (5 years for C/D categories). Non-EU: 185 days from BRP registration (Wegenverkeerswet 1994 art. 108).. After that, you must convert to a Netherlands license. Good news: the official test is available in English.
Key Facts: Netherlands Driving License for Expats
- Test Authority
- CBR — Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen
- Official Test Language
- Dutch, English (surcharge applies — "Theorie-examen Engels auto" on Mijn CBR), Other languages with a CBR-approved interpreter (book at least 2 weeks ahead)
- Grace Period
- EU / EEA / Swiss: up to 15 years from the original issue date (5 years for C/D categories). Non-EU: 185 days from BRP registration (Wegenverkeerswet 1994 art. 108).
- Processing Time
- Municipality notifies you within 15 working days that the RDW has approved the application; the new Dutch rijbewijs can then be collected 5 working days later (RDW).
- Theory Test Required
- Not for exchange
- Practical Test Required
- Not for exchange
- Medical Exam
- Not required
- Total Cost
- Typical exchange: €53.65 gemeente + €46.90 Gezondheidsverklaring + optional translation. Full-test path (no agreement): CBR theory-exam fee + practical-exam fee + rijschool costs (several hundred to several thousand euros depending on lessons).
Eligibility by Nationality
EU/EEA Citizens
EU / EEA and Swiss licences may be used in the Netherlands for up to 15 years from the original issue date for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B and BE (5 years for C1, C, D1, D and the E variants) — RDW: "Dan mag u hier nog 15 jaar mee blijven rijden in Nederland (na afgifte van het buitenlandse rijbewijs)." Exchange is voluntary during that period and no theory or practical test is required.
US/UK Citizens
UK and Northern Ireland: on the RDW exchange list — direct omwisseling without theory or practical test for all categories. USA: not on the RDW list — standard path is the full CBR theory + practical tests, unless you qualify through the 30%-regeling for highly-skilled migrants (kennismigranten), which allows exchange of a licence from any country while the ruling is active.
Other Non-EU Citizens
Under the Wegenverkeerswet 1994 (art. 108) you may drive on a non-EU / non-EEA licence for up to 185 days from the date you are registered in the BRP. After that you need a Dutch rijbewijs — either by exchange (if your issuing country is on the RDW "geschikt voor omwisseling" list or you hold the 30%-regeling), or by passing the full CBR theory and practical tests.
Students
Students registered in the BRP fall under the same 185-day rule (non-EU) or 15-year rule (EU/EEA) as other residents — there is no separate student exemption. If you are not registered in the BRP (short stay) the foreign licence / IDP remains usable during your authorised stay.
Required Documents
- ✓Valid passport or ID card and proof of legal residence
- ✓Original foreign driving licence (with a certified Dutch / English / German / French translation if it is not in a Latin script)
- ✓Recent colour passport photo meeting the Dutch pasfoto-eisen (photomatons at most gemeenten meet the spec)
- ✓BRP registration confirmation (handled automatically via the gemeente system)
- ✓For non-EU / non-EEA licences: a completed Gezondheidsverklaring submitted through Mijn CBR and approved by the CBR (fee €46.90 in 2026)
- ✓For 30%-regeling exchange: original beschikking from the Belastingdienst confirming the ruling is active, plus proof of your partner's link if exchanging for a family member
- ✓Municipal application form and fee (paid at the gemeente counter)
Costs Breakdown
- Conversion/Exam Fee
- Up to €53.65 payable to the gemeente (RDW-published 2026 maximum, effective 1 January 2026). Some municipalities charge more (Amsterdam €64.65, Schiedam €72.10 — set by local verordening). Expedited issue adds €39.65.
- Medical Exam
- Gezondheidsverklaring €46.90 via CBR (required for non-EU/EEA exchange applicants). No separate medical exam is needed unless the CBR flags the Gezondheidsverklaring.
- Translation
- Certified translation only if the licence is not in Dutch, English, German or French, or is in a non-Latin script — sworn-translator rate.
- Total Estimated
- Typical exchange: €53.65 gemeente + €46.90 Gezondheidsverklaring + optional translation. Full-test path (no agreement): CBR theory-exam fee + practical-exam fee + rijschool costs (several hundred to several thousand euros depending on lessons).
License Exchange Agreements
Direct Exchange (No Test Required) · 18
License Exchange Agreements
Direct Exchange (No Test Required) · 18
EU / EEA countries and Switzerland (all categories, voluntary during the 15-year / 5-year period)— RDW non-EU / non-EEA exchange list ("geschikt voor omwisseling"): —AndorraGibraltarGuernseyIsle of ManJerseyMonacoUnited KingdomNorthern IrelandFormer Netherlands Antilles (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten)— Category B (passenger car) only: —Canada (Alberta and Québec only)IsraelJapanSingaporeSouth KoreaChinese Taipei (Taiwan)
No Agreement (Full Test Required): Countries not on the RDW list (including most US states, Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Mexico and most of Latin America and Africa) require the full CBR theory and practical tests, unless the applicant qualifies through the 30%-regeling exception above.
Tips for Expats in Netherlands
- 30%-regeling is the single biggest expat advantage: while the ruling is active, you can exchange a licence from ANY country without theory or practical test — including US, Australian, Indian, Chinese and Brazilian licences that are otherwise not on the RDW list.
- UK / Northern Ireland licences remain on the RDW exchange list post-Brexit — all categories, no tests.
- CBR category B theory exam is available in English on Mijn CBR ("Theorie-examen Engels auto"). Since 7 April 2025 the exam is a single 50-question paper with hazard-recognition clips integrated — you pass with at least 44 correct answers in 30 minutes.
- The authority that decides the exchange is the RDW, but you always apply at your gemeente (municipality). The CBR only gets involved for the Gezondheidsverklaring or for CBR tests.
- Non-EU applicants must submit a Gezondheidsverklaring through Mijn CBR before the gemeente will process the exchange — start this on day one of the BRP registration to avoid exceeding the 185-day window.
- 2toDrive lets 17-year-olds drive with an approved begeleider (minimum age 27, at least 5 years' category B) after passing the practical exam — theory from age 16, lessons from 16½, practical from 17, solo driving from 18. Begeleiderspas costs €25 at the RDW.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the Dutch driving theory test in English?
Yes — the CBR category B theory exam is offered in Dutch and English. Select "Theorie-examen Engels auto" when you book on Mijn CBR (a surcharge applies compared with the Dutch version). Other languages are only possible with an interpreter from a CBR-approved agency, booked at least two weeks before the exam — you may not bring your own interpreter. The practical driving exam is conducted in Dutch.
How long can I drive in the Netherlands on my foreign licence?
It depends where the licence was issued. EU / EEA / Swiss licences may be used for up to 15 years from the original issue date for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B and BE (5 years for C/D categories) — RDW: "Dan mag u hier nog 15 jaar mee blijven rijden." Licences from outside the EU / EEA / Switzerland are valid for only 185 days from the date you are registered in the BRP, under article 108 of the Wegenverkeerswet 1994. After that you need a Dutch rijbewijs.
What is the 30%-regeling exchange and who qualifies?
The 30%-regeling is a Dutch tax ruling for highly-skilled migrants (kennismigranten) recruited from abroad. A side-benefit, codified in the Reglement rijbewijzen, is that ruling-holders — and their registered partner — may exchange a foreign driving licence from ANY country for a Dutch rijbewijs without theory or practical test, as long as the ruling is active when you apply. Bring the Belastingdienst beschikking confirming your 30%-regeling to the gemeente, along with the usual documents and a CBR Gezondheidsverklaring. The same exchange right applies to staff of recognised international organisations and diplomats with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs identity card.
Which authority handles the licence exchange — CBR, RDW or the gemeente?
All three play a role. You apply in person at your gemeente (municipality), which checks your documents and forwards the application. The RDW decides whether the licence can be exchanged and issues the new rijbewijs. The CBR processes the Gezondheidsverklaring (health declaration) that non-EU / non-EEA applicants must submit, and administers any CBR tests if the full-test path applies. The RDW says you receive a letter within 15 working days of submission and can pick up the new licence at the gemeente 5 working days later.
Can I exchange my UK or Northern Ireland licence after Brexit?
Yes. The United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man are all on the RDW non-EU / non-EEA exchange list for all categories. You exchange without theory or practical test by applying at your gemeente, submitting a Gezondheidsverklaring to the CBR and paying the municipal fee (up to €53.65 in 2026).
Can I exchange my US licence?
Not under the standard RDW list — US state licences are not listed, so the default route is the full CBR theory and practical tests. However, US citizens who hold the 30%-regeling (highly-skilled migrant ruling) can exchange directly without tests while the ruling is active. If you do not have the ruling, start preparing for the CBR theory exam (available in English) and book lessons with a CBR-registered rijschool.
Can I exchange my Canadian, Australian, Indian or Mexican licence?
Only Canadian licences from Alberta and Québec are on the RDW exchange list, and only for category B. Licences from other Canadian provinces, from Australia, New Zealand, India, Mexico and most other non-EU countries are not listed — the default route is the full CBR theory and practical tests. If you hold the 30%-regeling you can exchange from any country while the ruling is active.
Can I exchange my Japanese, South Korean, Singaporean, Taiwanese or Israeli licence?
Yes, but only for Dutch category B (passenger car). Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) and Israel are all on the RDW list for category B only — category A (motorcycle) and higher categories must be obtained through CBR tests. Andorra, Monaco and the former Netherlands Antilles are on the list for all categories.
Do I need a Gezondheidsverklaring (health declaration) to exchange my licence?
Yes, if your licence was issued outside the EU / EEA. The RDW requires an approved CBR Gezondheidsverklaring for non-EU / non-EEA exchange applicants. You fill it out and pay on Mijn CBR (€46.90 in 2026). The CBR assesses the form — for most healthy applicants approval is automatic, but medical conditions can trigger an in-person assessment. EU / EEA exchanges do not need the Gezondheidsverklaring for the standard B / A categories.
How much does the exchange cost?
For 2026 the RDW-capped municipal maximum is €53.65 (€39.30 gemeente fee + €14.35 RDW contribution). A few larger municipalities charge more — Amsterdam lists €64.65 and Schiedam €72.10, set under their local verordening. Non-EU applicants add the €46.90 Gezondheidsverklaring to the CBR and, where the original licence is not in Dutch / English / German / French or is in a non-Latin script, a sworn translation at market rate.
Do I need a DigiD?
You need a DigiD to log in to Mijn CBR for the Gezondheidsverklaring and to book a CBR theory or practical exam. Registration in the BRP is the trigger that lets you request a DigiD. The exchange application itself is filed in person at the gemeente — no DigiD is strictly required for that step, but in practice every part of the process is smoother with a DigiD.
What is the new CBR theory exam format (from 7 April 2025)?
The CBR updated the category B theory exam on 7 April 2025. It is now a single 50-question paper sat in one run, rather than three separate sections. You pass by answering at least 44 questions correctly within 30 minutes. The old stand-alone photo-based gevaarherkenning (hazard-recognition) section has been removed; hazard-recognition skills are now tested through animated clips inside the 50-question exam. The English version is available on Mijn CBR with a surcharge.
What is the 2toDrive programme?
2toDrive (begeleid rijden) lets you start driving a year earlier than the standard minimum age. You can sit the CBR theory exam from age 16, start rijles (lessons) from 16½ and take the practical exam from 17. After you pass, you drive with an approved begeleider (coach) until you turn 18, after which you can drive solo. The coach must be at least 27 years old, must have held a category B licence for at least 5 years with no disqualification in the past 4 years, and must obtain a begeleiderspas from the RDW (€25). The programme applies only inside the Netherlands.