CBR theory exam: how many questions, pass mark and time
The Dutch car theory exam has 50 questions that count. You need 44 of them right to pass, so you can make 6 mistakes, and you have 30 minutes. The exam is on a touchscreen at a CBR exam centre, in Dutch or in English, and you see your result as soon as you finish.
How the exam is built
The CBR, the organisation that runs Dutch driving exams, sets the same exam for everyone who takes the car (category B) theory test.
| Part | What it is |
|---|---|
| 2 practice questions | Before the exam starts, so you can get used to the screen. They do not count. |
| 50 exam questions | These decide your result. You need 44 right. |
| 2 test questions | Mixed into the exam. The CBR uses them to try out new questions; they do not count. |
So you answer 52 questions in the exam itself, of which 50 count. There is one pass mark for the whole exam.
What kind of questions you get
The exam tests three things: whether you recognise danger, whether you know the traffic rules and whether you understand traffic situations. You answer on a touchscreen, by tapping an answer or dragging it to the right place. The CBR publishes an example of each question type and the full list of exam topics on its website.
Since 1 oktober 2026 the CBR asks more about driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control and lane assist, with the focus on how you use them while driving.
Time: 30 or 45 minutes
| Exam | Time |
|---|---|
| Standard exam, in Dutch or English | 30 minutes |
| With extra time, for example with dyslexia | 45 minutes |
| Individually supervised exam, or with an interpreter | 45 minutes |
Taking it in English
You can take the standard exam in English at the exam centre, on the same touchscreen and with the same 30 minutes. The questions, the format and the pass mark are the same as in Dutch. A few Dutch terms stay in Dutch, such as 'autoweg' and 'erf'; the CBR lists them in its exam plan. In English the exam costs €57,00, in Dutch €50,50. More about the English exam: CBR theory exam in English.
On the day
- Bring a valid ID whose details match your registration at the municipality (BRP), and your reservation number. Without matching ID you cannot take the exam.
- Arrive a quarter of an hour early.
- Everything except your ID goes in a locker. A security check with a hand scanner looks for phones and other devices.
- You get your result on screen as soon as you finish.
How often people pass
In 2025, 40.0% of all car theory exams ended in a pass, first attempts and retakes together, according to the CBR's annual report. That is mostly a sign of how precise the exam is: 6 mistakes is not much room. Preparing with exam-style questions, and learning the road signs properly, makes the difference. Start here: Dutch road signs explained and priority rules in the Netherlands.
The waiting time for a theory exam was 2.0 weeks on average in the week of 28 September to 4 October 2026, and it differs per location. Book through Mijn CBR: how to book the CBR theory exam in English.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the CBR theory exam?
50 questions count towards your result. Before they start you get 2 practice questions, and the exam also contains 2 test questions that do not count. You answer 52 in the exam itself.
How many questions do I need right to pass?
44 of the 50. You may make 6 mistakes. There is one pass mark for the whole exam.
How long do I get for the exam?
30 minutes for the standard exam, in Dutch or English. With extra time, or in an individually supervised exam, you get 45 minutes.
When do I get my result?
Straight away, on the screen, as soon as you finish.
Is the English exam easier or harder?
It is the same exam with the same questions, format and pass mark. The only difference is the language, and a few Dutch terms stay in Dutch.
Sources, checked on 8 October 2026:
- CBR: Hoe gaat het theorie-examen auto?
- CBR: Welk theorie-examen past bij jou?
- CBR: Wat kost het halen van een autorijbewijs?
- CBR: Wanneer theorie- en praktijkexamen auto?
- CBR: Jaarverslag 2025
Written by Nawfal Serraji, traffic law specialist and founder of HaalTheorie.