What categories of driving licence are there in the Netherlands?
Share on social media:
There are various categories of driving licence in the Netherlands. Each category corresponds to a different type of vehicle. Do you want to work as a driver in the Netherlands? If so, you will need to hold the correct driving licence. In this article, you can find out what categories of driving licence there are in the Netherlands and which licence you need for which vehicle.
Driving licence categories in the Netherlands
If you want to drive a vehicle in the Netherlands, you usually need a driving licence. A driving licence shows that you know the road rules and can drive safely.
There are various categories of driving licence. Each category corresponds to a different type of vehicle. For example, you need a different driving licence for a car than for a motorbike, lorry or bus.
The type of driving licence you need depends on the vehicle you want to drive.
Mopeds, scooters and high-speed electric bikes: AM driving licence
With an AM driving licence, you are allowed to drive:
A scooter:
A low-speed moped: has a maximum speed of 25 kilometres per hour and has a blue number plate
A moped: has a maximum speed of 45 kilometres per hour and has a yellow number plate
A microcar: has a maximum speed of 45 kilometres per hour, has four wheels and a roof
A speed pedelec: an electric bike authorised to travel at speeds of up to 45 kilometres per hour
To obtain an AM driving licence, you must pass a theory test and a practical test. You can sit the theory test from the age of 15.5. You can take driving lessons and sit the practical test from the age of 16.
You do not need a medical declaration to obtain a moped licence.
If you already hold a B car driving licence or an A, A1 or A2 motorcycle licence, the AM will usually be added to your licence automatically.
Motorbike: A, A1 and A2 driving licences
To ride a motorbike, you need a motorbike licence. There are three types of motorbike licence: A1, A2 and A.
A1 driving licence: You are allowed to ride a light motorbike. This is a motorbike with a maximum capacity of 125
A2 driving licence: You are permitted to ride a medium-weight motorbike. This motorbike may have a maximum power output of 35 kW.
A driving licence: Allows you to ride a heavy motorbike. This is a motorbike with no power restrictions.
The category of motorbike licence you can obtain depends on your age and experience:
For an A1 licence, you can take driving lessons and sit the theory test from the age of 17. You can sit the practical test from the age of 18.
Different rules apply to the A2 licence. Do you already hold an A1 licence? If so, you can start taking driving lessons from the age of 19. You can sit the practical test from the age of 20. If you do not hold an A1 licence, you can start taking driving lessons and sit the practical test from the age of 20.
You can sometimes sit the test for an A licence from the age of 21. In that case, you will often be issued with an A licence with code 80 first. Without this restriction, you can usually sit the driving test from the age of 24. Have you held an A2 licence for at least two years? If so, you can sit the test for an unrestricted A licence from the age of 22.
To obtain a motorbike licence, you must sit the theory test and practical tests at the
Car and trailer: B, B1, B+ and BE driving licences
A B driving licence is a car driving licence. With this licence, you are permitted to drive a passenger car or a van. The vehicle must not weigh more than 3,500 kilograms. This includes passengers and luggage. You may carry a maximum of 8 passengers. The driver is not included in this number.
With a B driving licence, you are also allowed to tow a light trailer. The trailer may usually weigh up to 750 kilograms. In some cases, you may also be allowed to tow a heavier trailer. In that case, you must pay close attention to the combined weight of the car and the trailer.
You can sit the theory test from the age of 16. You can start taking driving lessons from the age of 16.5. You can sit the practical test from the age of 17. If you pass your driving test when you are 17, you will only be allowed to drive with a supervisor sitting next to you until you turn 18. This is known as supervised driving.
To obtain a B driving licence, you must sit a theory test and a practical test at the CBR. You will also need a medical declaration. You must complete this yourself at the CBR before your practical test.
Please note: from 1 July 2025, a B driving licence will in some cases also allow you to drive a sustainable goods vehicle or motorhome weighing up to 4,250 kilograms. This is subject to certain conditions. For example: you must have held a B driving licence for at least two years, you may not tow a trailer, and you may only drive within the Netherlands.
B1 driving licence
The back of a Dutch driving licence sometimes also says B1. In the Netherlands, you cannot take a separate test for a B1 licence. However, this category does appear on the licence. This is due to European regulations.
Category B1 is intended for certain light four-wheeled vehicles. These vehicles may generally weigh up to 400 kilograms without passengers or cargo. For vehicles used to transport goods, the maximum weight is 550 kilograms. The vehicle may have a maximum power output of 15 kW.
Do you have a B driving licence? If so, you are usually also permitted to drive category B1 vehicles within the European Union. In the Netherlands, these vehicles are generally covered by a category B driving licence.
B+ and BE driving licence: car with trailer
Do you want to tow a heavier trailer? If so, you may need a B+ or BE driving licence.
A B+ driving licence is also known as code 96. This allows you to drive a car with a trailer, provided the combined total weight does not exceed 4,250 kilograms.
With a BE driving licence, you are allowed to drive a car and a heavier trailer. The trailer may usually weigh up to 3,500 kilograms.
From the age of 18, you can take the practical test for driving a car with a trailer at the CBR.
You do not need to sit a separate theory test for this. You do, however, need a health declaration. You must complete this yourself at the CBR before your practical test.
Lorry: C, C1, CE and C1E driving licences
To drive a lorry, you need a lorry driving licence. This is also known as a full driving licence. There are four categories for lorries: C, C1, CE and C1E
With a C driving licence , you are permitted to drive a lorry weighing more than 3,500 kilograms.
With a C1 driving licence , you are permitted to drive a light goods vehicle. The vehicle weighs more than 3,500 kilograms, but no more than 7,500 kilograms.
With a CE driving licence , you are permitted to drive a lorry with a heavier trailer or semi-trailer. The trailer or semi-trailer may weigh more than 750 kilograms.
With a C1E driving licence, you are permitted to drive a C1 vehicle and a heavier trailer. The trailer may weigh more than 750 kilograms. The combined weight of the vehicle and trailer must not exceed 12,000 kilograms.
You can sit the test for a C1 and C1E driving licence from the age of 18.
For a C and CE driving licence, you can usually sit the test from the age of 21. In some cases, you can do so from the age of 18, for example if you also pass your professional competence test. This is known as code 95.
Bus: D, D1, DE and D1E driving licences
To drive a bus, you need a bus driving licence. There are four categories for buses: D, D1, D1E and DE
With a D driving licence, you are permitted to drive a bus carrying more than 8 people. This would be a large bus, for example.
With a D1 driving licence , you are permitted to drive a minibus. This minibus is designed to carry more than 8 people, but no more than 16. The driver is not included in this number.
With a D1 and D driving licence, you are also permitted to tow a light trailer. The trailer may weigh up to 750 kilograms.
Do you want to tow a heavier trailer? If so, you will need a D1E or DE driving licence.
With a DE driving licence, you are permitted to drive a large bus and a trailer weighing more than 750 kilograms.
With a D1E driving licence, you are permitted to drive a small bus and a trailer weighing more than 750 kilograms.
You need to undergo a medical examination to obtain a bus driving licence. This examination is compulsory if you are applying for, extending or renewing a full driving licence.
Do you want to drive a bus professionally? If so, you will usually need code 95 as well. Code 95 demonstrates that you are professionally competent as a bus driver.
For categories D, DE, D1 and D1E, you may sometimes take the test from the age of 18. In that case, you will need code 95. Until you turn 21, you may only drive under certain conditions. For example, on fixed bus routes within the Netherlands, on a route of no more than 50 kilometres, or without passengers.
Working as a driver
Would you like to work as a driver? In that case, the type of driving licence you need depends on the vehicle and the job. For example:
Taxi driver
Would you like to work as a taxi driver? In that case, you will usually need a B driving licence. You will also need a taxi driver’s licence. This is also known as a taxi pass.
With a taxi driver’s licence, you are authorised to work as a taxi driver. For example, in a standard taxi, a care taxi or a taxi minibus.
Driving a delivery van
Would you like to work as a delivery van driver? In that case, a B driving licence is often sufficient. This applies if the delivery van has a maximum authorised mass of 3,500 kilograms. With a B driving licence, you may also carry up to 8 people, not including the driver.
Is the van heavier than 3,500 kilos? Then you may need a C1 or C driving licence. Are you working as a professional driver? Then you may also need code 95.
Passenger coach or public transport bus
Do you want to drive a bus carrying more than 8 passengers? Then you’ll need a bus driving licence.
For a small bus, you usually need a D1 driving licence. This is for a bus carrying more than 8 and up to 16 passengers.
For a larger bus, you need a D driving licence. This is required, for example, for a public transport bus or coach.
Do you work as a professional bus driver? If so, you will usually also need code 95.
Medical examination
You need to undergo a medical examination for lorry and bus driving licences. This applies to C, C1, CE, C1E, D, D1, DE and D1E driving licences.
When applying for, renewing or extending one of these large driving licences, you must undergo a medical examination again.
Always check with your employer
The rules may vary depending on the job and the vehicle. You should therefore always ask your employer which driving licence, which card and which medical examination you need.
Choose the right driving licence
If you need a driving licence, it is important that you choose the right category. Which driving licence you need depends on the vehicle you want to drive.
Would you like to become a driver, for example? If so, you will need to pay close attention to the driving licence category. You need a different driving licence for a lorry than for a bus or taxi. Sometimes you will also need code 95.
The cost of a driving licence can be high. Sometimes an employer will contribute towards the cost of the training or the test. So please feel free to ask your employer about this.
Not sure which driving licence you need? Then check the website of the