Dutch driving licence for expats: exchange it or take the exams

How long you can keep driving on your current licence after moving to the Netherlands depends on where it was issued. A car licence from an EU or EFTA country stays valid here for 15 years from its date of issue. A licence from any other country can be used for 185 days after you move. After that you need a Dutch licence, which you get in one of two ways: you exchange your licence at your municipality, or you pass the CBR theory and practical exams.

185 daysdriving on a licence from outside the EU/EFTA after you move

15 yearsvalidity of an EU/EFTA car licence, counted from the date of issue

€57,00CBR theory exam in English, per attempt

44 of 50correct answers you need to pass the theory exam

How long can I drive on my foreign licence?

The RDW, the Dutch authority that issues driving licences, uses two rules.

EU and EFTA licences. For a car, a moped or a motorcycle you can keep driving for 15 years from the date your licence was issued. If your licence was already more than 15 years old when you moved, you have two more years.
Licences from outside the EU and EFTA. You can drive on them for the first 185 days after you move to the Netherlands. After that, driving on that licence is no longer allowed.

If your foreign licence does not show the categories A, B, C, D or E, the RDW advises carrying an international driving permit alongside it.

Can I exchange my licence for a Dutch one?

Exchanging is the quickest route, because you skip the exams. Whether you can depends on where your licence comes from.

Your licence	Can you exchange it?
From an EU or EFTA country	Yes, as long as it is valid.
From a country on the RDW list	Yes, if you lived in that country for at least 185 days in the year you got the licence.
From any other country, with the 30% ruling	Yes. You need a valid decision on the 30% ruling from the Dutch Tax Administration.
From any other country, for example the United States	No. You need to pass the CBR exams.

The RDW list covers Andorra, the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Québec, Gibraltar, Great Britain, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Israel, Japan, Jersey, Monaco, Northern Ireland, Singapore, Taiwan, the former Netherlands Antilles and South Korea. The list can change, so check it on the RDW website before you apply.

How the exchange works, from documents to collecting your licence: Exchanging your foreign driving licence in the Netherlands.

Which exams do I need if I cannot exchange?

The theory exam, in English

The CBR, the organisation that runs Dutch driving exams, offers the car theory exam in English at every exam location, without an interpreter. The exam has 50 questions, you need 44 right, and you have 30 minutes. It costs €57,00 per attempt. Once you pass, the result is valid for one and a half years. A few Dutch terms stay in Dutch on the English exam, such as 'autoweg' and 'erf'. More about the exam itself: CBR theory exam in English.

The health declaration

For your first Dutch car licence you fill in a health declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring) on Mijn CBR, ideally when you start your lessons. It costs €46,90. You need it before you can take the practical exam.

Driving lessons

There is no minimum number of lessons. If you already drive, you will usually need fewer than a first-time learner, but a few lessons help you learn Dutch rules and what examiners look for. An hour's lesson cost a median of €67 in June 2026, according to a survey of 3,520 driving schools by Rijloket; most schools charge between €58 and €75.

The practical exam

The practical exam takes about 55 minutes, of which roughly 35 minutes of driving. It is in Dutch. You may bring an interpreter: a sworn interpreter with a valid interpreter card, or your driving instructor if they speak both languages well enough. Your driving school reports this when it books the exam. The exam costs €143,50 per attempt.

What does a Dutch licence cost if you take the exams?

Cost	Amount
Theory exam in English	€57,00 per attempt
Health declaration	€46,90
Driving lessons	about €67 per hour (median, June 2026)
Practical exam	€143,50 per attempt
Issuing the licence	set by your municipality

For comparison: the CBR calculated that a car licence cost learners an average of €3,320 in 2025, retakes included, with 41 lessons on average. That figure is for all learners in the Netherlands, most of whom had never driven before.

You need DigiD to book

You book the CBR exams and fill in the health declaration on Mijn CBR, where you log in with DigiD. To get DigiD you need a citizen service number (BSN), which you receive when you register at your municipality. Without DigiD you can still book the theory exam with a paper application form. Step by step: How to book the CBR theory exam in English.

Plan ahead if your licence is from outside the EU/EFTA. The 185 days start when you move, and an exchange takes at least 15 working days. Start early, so you are not left without a valid licence.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my US driving license in the Netherlands?

Yes, for the first 185 days after you move. A US licence cannot be exchanged, because the United States is not on the RDW list. After those 185 days you need to pass the CBR theory and practical exams, unless the 30% ruling applies to you, in which case you can exchange it.

Can I take the practical driving exam in English?

No, the practical exam is in Dutch. You may bring a sworn interpreter, or your driving instructor if they speak both languages well enough. Your driving school arranges this when it books the exam.

How long is my theory exam result valid?

One and a half years after you pass. You need to pass the practical exam within that time.

Do I need lessons if I have years of driving experience?

There is no required number of lessons. The practical exam does test Dutch rules and driving habits, so a few lessons help you learn what Dutch examiners look for.

Is the English theory exam the same as the Dutch one?

Yes. It is the same exam in English, with the same format and pass mark. A few Dutch terms are kept in Dutch, such as 'autoweg' and 'erf'.

Sources, checked on 6 October 2026:

Written by Nawfal Serraji, traffic law specialist and founder of HaalTheorie.