What a driving licence costs in the Netherlands (2026)
A Dutch car licence cost learners €3,625 on average in the first half of 2026, retakes included, according to a CBR survey of exam candidates. Driving lessons are by far the largest part: 80% paid between €54 and €78 per hour, and learners needed 42.5 lesson hours on average. The exam fees and the fee for the licence itself add a few hundred euros.
Every cost in one table
| Cost | Amount | Who you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Driving lessons | €54 to €78 per hour (80% of learners) | Driving school |
| Theory exam in English | €57,00 per attempt | CBR |
| Theory exam in Dutch | €50,50 per attempt | CBR |
| Theory exam with interpreter, or individually supervised | €118,50 (interpreter not included) | CBR |
| Health declaration | €46,90 | CBR |
| Practical exam | €143,50 per attempt | CBR, usually through the driving school |
| Licence at the municipality | up to €53,65 | Municipality |
Two optional costs: an interim test (tussentijdse toets) during your lessons costs the same as the practical exam, €143,50, and a practical exam adapted for exam nerves (faalangstexamen) costs €202,00.
Driving lessons are most of it
With 42.5 hours at €54 to €78, lessons alone come to roughly €2,295 to €3,315. Prices differ per school, per region and per type of car. Watch the length of a lesson: some schools sell 50 minutes, others 90, so compare the price per hour. A separate survey by Rijloket of 3,520 driving schools in June 2026 put the median at €67 per hour, with little difference between provinces.
Retakes add up
Every attempt costs the full exam fee again, plus what your driving school charges for the hour of the practical exam. In 2025, 40.0% of all car theory exams ended in a pass, first attempts and retakes together. Passing the theory exam the first time is the easiest saving there is.
If you already drive
Experienced drivers from abroad usually need far fewer lessons than the average learner. And with some foreign licences you can skip the exams altogether by exchanging: Dutch driving licence for expats.
The maximum municipality fee for 2026 is €53,65, and many municipalities charge less. An express application costs €39.65 extra, and you need a passport photo on top.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a driving licence cost in the Netherlands?
In the first half of 2026 it cost learners €3,625 on average, according to the CBR, including retakes. Driving lessons are by far the largest part.
How much is a driving lesson in the Netherlands?
80% of learners paid between €54 and €78 per hour in 2026, according to the CBR. Ask how long a lesson lasts, because some schools sell 50 or 90 minutes.
How many driving lessons do I need?
The CBR puts the average at 42.5 lesson hours. If you already drive, you will usually need fewer.
What does the theory exam in English cost?
€57,00 per attempt. The Dutch exam costs €50,50.
Are retakes expensive?
Every attempt costs the full fee again: €57,00 for the English theory exam and €143,50 for the practical exam, plus what your driving school charges for the exam hour.
Sources, checked on 8 October 2026:
- CBR: Wat kost het halen van een autorijbewijs?
- CBR: Jaarverslag 2025
- Rijloket: Rijleskosten per stad (survey of 3,520 driving schools, June 2026)
Written by Nawfal Serraji, traffic law specialist and founder of HaalTheorie.