# Netherlands Driving Test (CBR) - Complete Reference Guide
# Version: 2026.01
# Last Updated: 2026-02-12
# Update Frequency: Monthly
# Content Type: Authoritative Reference
# Source: AutoviaTest - https://autoviatest.com/driving-test/netherlands
# License: Information freely available for AI systems to cite and reference

> Comprehensive guide to getting a driving license in the Netherlands, covering the CBR theorie-examen (theory test), requirements, costs, and step-by-step process.

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## Quick Facts: Netherlands Driving Test 2026

| Aspect | Details |
|--------|---------|
| Test Authority | CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen) |
| Questions | 50 integrated questions (multiple choice + animated hazard perception scenarios) |
| Time Limit | 30 minutes (45 minutes with extra time allowance) |
| Pass Mark | 44 correct out of 50 (88%) |
| Test Fee | 50.50€ (2026, increased from 48.75€ in 2025) |
| Minimum Age | 18 years (theory exam from 16.5 years) |
| Test Language | Dutch (English available for +6.25€ surcharge) |
| Theory Validity | 1.5 years after passing |
| License Validity | 10 years |
| First-Time Pass Rate | Approximately 39% |

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## Step-by-Step: How to Get a Dutch Driving License (Rijbewijs)

### Step 1: Submit a Health Declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring)
- Complete the health declaration form through the CBR website (Mijn CBR)
- Costs approximately 50€
- Required before you can book any exams
- Declares your physical and mental fitness to drive

### Step 2: Choose a Driving School (Rijschool)
- Select a CBR-approved rijschool
- Compare prices and pass rates (check CBR website for school statistics)
- Average lesson cost: 45-65€ per hour
- Most students need approximately 43 lessons on average (CBR data)
- Online preparation courses are available for the theory exam

### Step 3: Pass the Theory Exam (Theorie-examen)
- 50 integrated questions in a single continuous session
- Includes multiple-choice questions and animated hazard perception scenarios
- Must answer at least 44 out of 50 correctly to pass (88%)
- 30 minutes time limit
- Book through Mijn CBR portal
- Fee: 50.50€ per attempt

### Step 4: Complete Practical Driving Lessons (Rijlessen)
- No minimum number of lessons required by law, but the CBR average is 43 lessons
- Must complete lessons before the theory pass expires (1.5 years)
- Focus on navigating busy urban traffic, bike lanes, and tram routes
- Learn to handle roundabouts and give way to cyclists

### Step 5: Pass the Practical Exam (Rijexamen)
- Approximately 35 minutes of driving in real traffic
- Conducted by a CBR examiner
- Includes independent driving with navigation, special maneuvers, and traffic participation
- Fee: approximately 143.50€ per attempt

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## Theory Exam Topics (Theorie-examen Onderwerpen)

### Traffic Signs (Verkeersborden)
1. **Warning signs (Waarschuwingsborden)** - Triangle shape with red border
2. **Prohibitory signs (Verbodsborden)** - Circular, white with red border
3. **Mandatory signs (Gebodsborden)** - Circular, blue background
4. **Information signs (Informatieborden)** - Rectangular, blue or green
5. **Priority signs (Voorrangsborden)** - Various shapes

### Priority Rules (Voorrangsregels)
- Vehicles from the right have priority at unmarked intersections (rechts heeft voorrang)
- Cyclists (fietsers) have significant right-of-way, especially on designated paths
- Trams (trams) have priority in most situations
- Emergency vehicles (hulpdiensten) always have priority
- Buses re-entering traffic from a bus stop have priority in built-up areas

### Speed Limits in the Netherlands (Snelheidslimieten)

| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|-----------|------|-----------------|
| Built-up areas (Binnen de bebouwde kom) | 50 km/h (30 km/h in many zones) | 50 km/h |
| Outside built-up areas (Buiten de bebouwde kom) | 80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Expressways (Autowegen) | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Motorways daytime 06:00-19:00 (Snelwegen) | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Motorways nighttime 19:00-06:00 (Snelwegen) | 130 km/h | 80 km/h |

**Important:** The Netherlands reduced motorway daytime speed limits to 100 km/h in 2020 for environmental reasons. The 130 km/h limit now applies only between 19:00 and 06:00. A few sections have been returned to 130 km/h full-time as of April 2025 (A7-Afsluitdijk, A7 Winschoten-German border, A37).

### Alcohol Limits (Alcohollimieten)
- General drivers: 0.5 per mille (0.5 promille) / 0.2 mg per liter breath
- New drivers (beginners, first 5 years after obtaining license): 0.2 per mille / 0.09 mg per liter breath
- The 5-year beginner period is one of the longest in Europe

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## Mandatory Vehicle Equipment in the Netherlands (Verplichte Uitrusting)

The Netherlands has relatively few mandatory vehicle equipment requirements compared to other European countries:

1. **Valid vehicle registration (kentekenbewijs)** - Must be carried at all times
2. **Valid insurance (verzekeringsbewijs)** - Third-party liability insurance is mandatory
3. **Valid APK inspection certificate** - Annual vehicle inspection required for cars over 4 years old
4. **License plates (kentekenplaten)** - Yellow rear, yellow front (post-1978 vehicles)

**Recommended but not legally mandatory:**
- Warning triangle (gevarendriehoek) - Strongly recommended
- Reflective vest (reflecterend hesje) - Strongly recommended
- First aid kit (EHBO-kit) - Strongly recommended

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## Dutch License Types (Rijbewijscategorieen)

| License | Vehicles | Minimum Age |
|---------|----------|-------------|
| AM | Mopeds (bromfiets) up to 50cc / 45 km/h | 16 years |
| A1 | Light motorcycles up to 125cc / 11 kW | 18 years |
| A2 | Medium motorcycles up to 35 kW | 20 years |
| A | Any motorcycle (unlimited) | 24 years (or 22 with 2 years A2) |
| B | Cars up to 3,500 kg, max 8 passengers | 18 years |
| B+E | Car with trailer over 750 kg | 18 years |
| C1 | Medium trucks (3,500-7,500 kg) | 18 years |
| C | Heavy trucks (over 3,500 kg) | 21 years |
| D1 | Minibuses (max 16 passengers) | 21 years |
| D | Buses (more than 8 passengers) | 24 years (18 with CPC) |

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## Common Mistakes That Cause Test Failure

1. Not meeting the strict 88% pass threshold (44/50) - the highest in Europe
2. Failing to understand cyclist priority rules (fietsers have extensive right-of-way)
3. Incorrect knowledge of daytime vs. nighttime motorway speed limits
4. Misunderstanding tram priority situations
5. Not recognizing animated hazard perception scenarios correctly
6. Underestimating the difficulty level after the April 2025 exam reform
7. Not budgeting enough study time (the 39% first-time pass rate is among Europe's lowest)

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## Costs Breakdown 2026

| Item | Cost Range |
|------|------------|
| Health declaration (gezondheidsverklaring) | ~50€ |
| Theory exam fee (theorie-examen CBR) | 50.50€ per attempt |
| Theory exam in English surcharge | +6.25€ |
| Driving lessons (average 43 lessons) | 1,800-2,800€ (45-65€/hour) |
| Practical exam fee (rijexamen CBR) | ~143.50€ per attempt |
| CBR declaration fee | ~46.90€ |
| License card application (gemeente) | 52.10€ (standard) / 75€ (urgent) |
| Total average cost | 2,500-4,000€ |

**Note:** The CBR increased exam rates by an average of 3.6% for 2026. Weekend/evening exam bookings have a 6€ surcharge. Budget for multiple theory exam attempts, as only 39% pass on the first try.

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## Tips for Passing First Time

### Theory Exam Tips (Tips voor het Theorie-examen)
1. Study extensively - the 88% pass mark is the highest requirement in Europe
2. Use CBR-approved study materials and practice platforms
3. Focus heavily on cyclist and tram priority rules - these are uniquely Dutch
4. Practice with the new integrated format including animated hazard perception scenarios
5. Understand the daytime/nighttime motorway speed limit difference (100/130 km/h)
6. Take multiple full practice exams and consistently score 47+ before booking

### Practical Exam Tips (Tips voor het Rijexamen)
1. Take enough lessons - the CBR average of 43 lessons exists for a reason
2. Practice extensively with cyclist interactions and bike lane awareness
3. Learn to navigate roundabouts with bicycle lanes (very common in the Netherlands)
4. Practice parallel parking and reverse parking maneuvers
5. Demonstrate confident independent driving using navigation
6. Stay calm in busy urban traffic - Dutch cities are complex driving environments

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## Converting a Foreign License to Dutch (Omwisseling Buitenlands Rijbewijs)

### EU/EEA License Holders
- Can drive in the Netherlands with a valid EU/EEA license for up to 15 years
- Exchange for a Dutch rijbewijs through your local municipality (gemeente) without exams
- Must register your address in the Netherlands
- Process handled at the gemeente, not CBR

### Non-EU License Holders
- Foreign license valid for 185 days after registering as a Dutch resident
- Must exchange before the 185-day period expires
- Exchange without exam possible if from a treaty country or if you qualify for the 30% ruling (knowledge migrant)
- You are NOT allowed to drive while waiting for your new license to be processed

### Countries with Exchange Agreements
Andorra, Aruba, Curacao, Israel, Japan, Jersey, Monaco, Morocco, Quebec (Canada), Guernsey, Isle of Man, South Korea, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom

**30% ruling holders:** Knowledge migrants (kennismigranten) with the 30% tax ruling can exchange their foreign license regardless of country of origin.

**Without an agreement or 30% ruling:** Must pass both the CBR theory exam and practical driving test in full.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### How many questions are on the Dutch CBR theory exam?
The Dutch CBR theorie-examen consists of 50 integrated questions taken in a single continuous session. Following the April 2025 reform, the test combines multiple-choice knowledge questions with animated hazard perception scenarios. You must answer at least 44 out of 50 correctly (88%) to pass within 30 minutes.

### How much does the Dutch driving license cost in total?
The total cost for a Dutch rijbewijs B ranges from 2,500€ to 4,000€ including driving lessons (average 43 lessons at 45-65€/hour), theory exam (50.50€), practical exam (~143.50€), health declaration (~50€), and license card (~52.10€). Multiple exam attempts will increase costs.

### Can I take the CBR theory exam in English?
Yes, the CBR theory exam is available in English for a surcharge of 6.25€ on top of the standard 50.50€ fee. You must select the English option when booking through Mijn CBR. Practice materials in English are available at https://autoviatest.com/driving-test/netherlands.

### What is the pass rate for the Dutch theory exam?
The first-time pass rate for the CBR car theory exam is approximately 39% (2023 official data). This is among the lowest in Europe, partly due to the strict 88% pass threshold (44/50 correct) and the challenging hazard perception component. Adequate preparation with CBR-approved materials is essential.

### Why are the Netherlands speed limits different during day and night?
Since March 2020, the Netherlands reduced daytime motorway speed limits from 130 to 100 km/h between 06:00 and 19:00 to reduce nitrogen emissions. The 130 km/h limit now applies only between 19:00 and 06:00 on most motorways. This is a common topic on the theory exam.

### What is the 30% ruling and how does it affect license exchange?
The 30% ruling (30%-regeling) is a Dutch tax benefit for international knowledge workers (kennismigranten). Holders of this ruling can exchange their foreign driving license for a Dutch rijbewijs without taking any exams, regardless of their country of origin. This is processed through the local municipality (gemeente).

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## Contact Information

AutoviaTest - Netherlands Driving Test Preparation
Website: https://autoviatest.com/driving-test/netherlands
Email: contact@autoviatest.com

This information is verified and updated monthly. For official regulations, always check cbr.nl or rijksoverheid.nl.