This is how to get your driver's licence in the Netherlands

To get a driver's licence, you must pass a theory exam and a practical exam.

When can you start?

You may take your theory exam for the car driving licence from the age of 16. From 16.5 years of age, you may take driving lessons and an intermediate test. When you are 17, you may take your practical test. Get your licence before your 18th birthday? Then you may only drive with a guide. From the age of 18 you may drive independently.

This exam tests your knowledge of traffic signs, rules and situations. And your ability to assess dangerous situations. You can choose how you want to learn the theory. You can do this in several ways: with a theory book, through a course or by practising online for the exam. There are many websites where you can practice for free or paid.

You can apply for a theory exam yourself at the

Did you pass? The theory exam is valid for 1.5 years. During that period, you must pass your practical exam. Don't expect to pass the practical exam in time? Starting 3 months before your theory exam expires, you may take it again. Did you fail? Then you will receive tips by e-mail about the subjects you need to pay extra attention to for your next exam. You can decide when you want to retake the exam. Please note: You cannot object to an exam result.

Before taking your test, you must take driving lessons at a driving school. During these lessons, you will learn basic driving skills, such as shifting gears, steering and parking. But also how to drive safely in traffic. You receive guidance during driving lessons from a driving instructor who sits next to you in the car.

You choose a driving school to take practical lessons

Driving schools have driving instructors to help you learn to drive. Driving schools often offer different packages that include a number of driving lessons, a theory exam and practical exam. Practical lessons cost about €50-70 per lesson. On average, people need about 30-40 lessons before taking the practical exam. How much you have to pay depends on how many lessons you need and whether you pass the exam first time.

You must complete a health declaration

Before you may take your practical exam, you must complete a health declaration. This is a list of questions about your health. For example, it is about whether you can see well, whether you use medication, whether you have an illness that affects driving. In this way, CBR checks whether you can drive safely. You fill in the declaration via mijn.cbr.nl and pay €45.25 (price in 2025). You can log in with your

Authorise driving school for practical exam

If your driving instructor thinks you can drive well enough and you have passed your theory exam, you can apply for the practical exam. You must authorise your driving school to request the practical exam for you. You also do this through mijn.cbr.nl.

You can also take an Intermediate Test (TTT)

The Intermediate Test (TTT) is a practice exam at CBR, which allows you to get used to the exam and get tips from an examiner. It looks exactly like the real practical exam and takes about 55 minutes. You can take this test when your driving instructor thinks you are ready. That is usually when you have already mastered much of the lesson material. In 2025, an intermediate test costs €159.35. If you perform certain parts of the test well, such as the special operations, you will be exempted from this during your real exam.

Taking the practical exam The Dutch Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Licences ('Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen' CBR) administers the practical exam. During the exam, you must show the examiner that you can drive safely in various traffic situations.

The practical car exam costs €138.50 at CBR in 2025.

You will hear immediately after your exam whether you have passed. If you pass, you can immediately apply for your driver's licence at the municipality.

If you fail, the examiner will tell you which parts you failed. You discuss this feedback with your driving instructor so you can practice better for the retake.

You may retake the exam after a minimum of 2 weeks.

Was your exam cancelled because of dangerous driving? Then you have to wait 15 weeks before you can take another exam.

If you retake the exam, you will again pay the cost of the practical exam.

Further assessment of driving ability

If you fail your car driving test 4 times within 5 years, you will be given a special exam: a further assessment of driving ability ('nader onderzoek rijvaardigheid'). The examiner then has more time for you and gives extra guidance. During the exam, you can both ask for a break. The examiner also looks at why you have not been able to pass so far. Your driving school will arrange this exam for you.

You can also take a Fear of Failure Exam.

Are you easily nervous during exams? Then you can opt for a fear of failure exam ('faalangstexamen'). This takes 80 minutes and you will have an examiner who has experience with candidates with fear of failure. You may take a time-out if necessary. You can request this exam right away as soon as your driving instructor says you are ready. The fear of failure exam costs €195.00.

After you pass, you will receive a result form from the CBR. This form states that you have passed and can apply for a driver's licence. With the result form you go to the town hall of the municipality where you are registered. There you apply for your driver's licence. For the application, you need the following documents:

• A valid proof of identity, such as a passport or identity card.

• A new passport photo that complies with the official rules. See what the passport photo should look like here.

• The result form from your practical exam. CBR usually also sends this digitally to the municipality.

After applying, it usually takes 5 business days for your driver's licence to be ready. A driver's licence costs money. In 2025, it will be €52.10. Do you want your driver's licence as a matter of urgency? Then in 2025 you will pay €39.65 extra to your municipality.

A driver's licence is valid for 10 years in the Netherlands. After that, you have to renew it at the municipality. You do not have to take a new exam. You can renew it online via the RDW website or at the municipality.

Maximum age to drive a car

There is no maximum age to drive a car. But are you 65 or older? Then your new licence will always be valid for only 5 years. And you may have to pass a medical examination before you can renew your licence.