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You are allowed to drive vehicles for the categories AM, A1, A2, A, B and BE until 1 January 2027 (if the categories on the driving licence are still valid). For the categories C1, C, D1, D, C1E, CE, D1E and DE you were allowed to drive until 1 January 2017. Because you are living in the Netherlands after that date, you can use your driving ...
The minimum age to drive a car unsupervised in the Netherlands is 18 years old. However, teens who have passed both the theoretical and practical exams are able to drive from age 17 when accompanied by a registered ‘driving coach’. The teen must request a ‘driving passport’ to be eligible to drive with a coach.
- Expats & Driving Licences
- Using A Foreign Driving Licence in The Netherlands
- Conditions For Exchanging A Foreign Driving Licence in The Netherlands
- Dutch Driving Organisations
- How to Exchange A Foreign Driving Licence
- 30% Ruling and The Dutch Driving Licence
- Driving Tests in The Netherlands
- Renewing A Dutch Driving Licence
- Renewing A Foreign Driving Licence in The Netherlands
- Lost Or Stolen Driving Licence
If you are planning to stay long-term in the Netherlands, it is often worth exchanging your foreign driving licence for a Dutch rijbewijs. For citizens of most European countries, you can normally continue to use your licence from your home country until it expires. For most non-European expats who plan to stay for longer than six months, you will ...
There are different lengths of validity in the Netherlands for driving licences issued to citizens of the EU/EEA or for citizens from outside Europe.
In order to exchange a foreign driving licence for a Dutch driving licence, applicants will need to meet various conditions: 1. You are a registered resident of the Netherlands with a valid residence permit(if applicable). 2. You are a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland; or you are from a country with a special drivers licence agreement (see belo...
There are two organisations in the Netherlands that are responsible for issuing driving licences and conducting driving tests on the Dutch roads:
To exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dutch driving licence, you will need to apply at the municipalitywhere you are registered. They will forward your exchange application to the RDW. The appraisal process takes approximately two weeks (or longer, depending on wait times) and applicants are not permitted to drive while their application i...
You can also exchange your driving licence for a Dutch one if you are eligible for the 30% ruling, regardless your country of origin. In this case, you should follow the above procedure, but also submit your 30% ruling statement issued by the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax office)to your municipality.
Internationals who are unable to exchange their foreign driving licence for a Dutch one will have to take a driving test at the CBR, with both theoretical and practical sections. Also, if you are learning to drive a car for the first time then you can both take driving lessons and do the exams in the Netherlands. The process for learning to drive a...
Just like most EU driving licences, a Dutch driving licence is valid for 10 years from the date of issue and should be renewed before it expires. Before your Dutch licence expires the RDW will send a reminder to your home address. All you need to do then is go to your municipality (you don’t need to take the letter with you). Your driving licence h...
For expats living in the Netherlands, it’s not possible to renew a foreign or EU/EAA driver’s licence, you will instead need to apply to the RDW for a Dutch driving licence.
If your Dutch or EU/EEA driving licence is lost or stolen then you must lodge a police declaration with the municipality where you are registered to receive a new one. For a lost EU/EEA licence you will need to provide extra documentation. If your non-EU/EEA driving licence is lost or stolen in the Netherlands then you will need to successfully com...
In other words: you will have to exchange your foreign driving license for a Dutch driving license within six months of settling in the Netherlands. It is important to note that these six months are very strict. If you apply for a Dutch driving license after the six month period has passed, you will need to pass the Dutch driving exam.
Driving in the Netherlands. While the Netherlands has a pretty good public transport system and people here love cycling, driving your car to your destination remains quite popular. Our driving section covers everything you need to know about driving in the Netherlands - from driving licences to traffic fines.
To drive a car, motorcycle, truck, bus, moped, speed-pedelec (high-speed electric bicycle), or other motor vehicle in the Netherlands you need a driving licence. It depends on the vehicle which type of driving licence is required.
People also ask
Can a foreigner drive a car in the Netherlands?
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How long is a driving licence valid in the Netherlands?
Applying for an international driving licence. You are allowed to drive with a valid Dutch driving licence in Member States of the European Union. If you are going to drive in a country outside the European Union (EU), you often need an international driving licence. You must also have your valid Dutch driving licence with you at all times ...
