Rules for driving licences

You need a driving licence to drive a car, motorcycle, truck, van, bus, moped, speed-pedelec (high-speed electric bicycle), or other motor vehicle in the Netherlands. 

Driving licence categories

The type of driving licence you need depends on the vehicle you drive. The various types of driving licences are divided into categories. These categories include:

• category A: motorcycles
• category B: cars
• category C: trucks
• category D: buses
• category T: tractors

Passing your theory and driving test

The minimum age for taking a driving test for a car is 17, and 18 for a van. Until you are 18, you are only allowed to drive with a guardian. After you have passed you theory test and practical driving test at the CBR, you must apply for a driving licence at the municipality where you are registered. Each municipality determines its own fees.

Foreign driving licence

If you live in the Netherlands and have a foreign driving licence, you are allowed to use it for a limited period. The period depends on the country where your licence was issued. If you have a valid EU/EFTA driving licence or a driving licence from a country on the RDW list, you can exchange your foreign driving licence at your municipality. If you are not allowed to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dutch licence you must take a theory and practical exam at the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (CBR, in Dutch) and get a Dutch driving licence.

Beginner's licence

If you are just starting out as a driver or professional driver, you get issued a beginner's licence (in Dutch). Depending on your age and category of licence, it is valid for 5 to 7 years. A system of penalty points for traffic offences applies to the holders of a beginner's licence. You lose your licence if you have 2 penalty points. The CBR then reassesses your ability to drive. You may permanently lose your licence. 

Renew your driving licence

You can renew your driving licence at your municipality. Some municipalities allow you to renew your driving licence online via RDW. Check with RDW whether online renewal is possible at your municipality.

Health Declaration

If you get a driving licence for the first time, you need to complete a Health Declaration (in Dutch). You must also do so if you have to show you are medically fit to drive a vehicle, for example  because of a medical condition, or your age. The CBR will assess if an additional examination is necessary. A medical examination is not always necessary.  

Professional drivers

If you want to drive a bus, truck, forklift truck or tractor for your work, you must take specific lessons and pass your theory test and practical driving test at the CBR. The category of licence depends on the type of vehicle you want to drive.

Driving licence for buses

Professional bus drivers must have a category D driving licence with code 95 (in Dutch). You can get a code 95 indication on your licence if you pass the initial qualification for professional drivers (basiskwalificatie, in Dutch). If your bus can transport a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 16 people, you need a category D1 driving licence with code 95. If your bus can  transport more than 8 people, you need a category D driving licence with code 95.

Driving licence for trucks

Professional truck drivers must have a category C driving licence with code 95 (in Dutch). You can get a code 95 indication on your licence if you pass the initial qualification for professional drivers (basiskwalificatie, in Dutch.

Driving licence for forklift trucks

You need a category T driving licence (in Dutch) to drive a forklift truck that is more than 1.3 meter wide or is pulling a trailer. For all other forklift trucks, employers must be able to demonstrate that the driver has sufficient abilities to operate it. They can do this with a certificate of professional competence for forklift or reach truck drivers.

Driving licence for tractors

You need a category T driving licence (in Dutch) to drive low-speed agricultural tractors and forestry vehicles on a public road. If you have a tractor driving licence for youths or a regular category B driving licence issued before 1 July 2015, category T is added automatically to your driving licence when you renew it. If you have a category C driving licence (truck licence), category T is automatically added to your licence. You do not need a category T driving licence to drive or operate low-speed vehicles such as small street sweepers and mowing machines.

Category B driving licence valid for heavy zero-emission delivery vehicles

Do you drive a zero-emission delivery vehicle that weighs more than 3,500 kg and less than 4,250 kg, such as an electric or hydrogen-powered delivery van? You can drive this vehicle with a regular category B driving licence instead of a category C1 licence (light truck licence), provided that you have passed an additional traffic safety course and have your category B licence for at least 2 years.