Rules for driving licences

Corona: all driving licences and code 95 extended

If you are or have not been able to renew your driver's licence as a result of the corona crisis, you will have more time to extend it (in Dutch). The validity period for all driving licenses, including for all professional drivers and code 95 qualification, has been extended. Valdity of refresher training for code 95 qualification has also been extended.

Foreign driving licence

You can use your foreign driving licence in the Netherlands. Once you are a Dutch resident, however, you must obtain a Dutch driving licence within a certain period of time (transition period). This depends on the country where you originally obtained your driving licence.

Passing your driving test

To obtain your driving licence you will need to pass a driving theory test and driving practical test at the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (CBR). You must meet the medical standards of fitness to drive. The maximum fee for a new driving licence is €38,83.

Driving exam car

The minimum age to do a driving exam for a car is 17 years. Those who pass are only allowed to drive with a guardian, until they are 18.

Driving exam bus

The minimum age to do a driving exam for a bus is 18 years. You also need a code 95 (in Dutch) driver qualification card.

Staying qualified

Everybody who first passes their driving test gets issued a beginner's licence. Depending on your age, this is valid for 5-7 years. A system of penalty points applies to holders of a beginner's licence: points are given for traffic offenses. If you have 2 or more penalty points, you lose your licence. The Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (CBR) will then reassess your ability to drive. You may permanently lose your licence.

Training for bus and lorry drivers

Are you a professional lorry or bus driver? You must do 35 hours of periodic training (in Dutch) every 5 years. The training should include at least 7 hours of practical schooling. When renewing your licence, you should complete a declaration of good health each time.

Health conditions and driving

If you, because of a health condition, have to show you are medically fit to drive a vehicle, a medical examination is not always necessary. CBR may request your doctor for information regarding your health condition.

Tractor driving licence

You need a T-driving licence (Tractor driving licence) for driving with low-speed agricultural tractors and forestry vehicles on a public road. If you have a tractor driving certificate for youths or a regular driving licence (category B) issued before 1 July 2015, you do not need a separate T-driving licence. It will be added automatically to your driving licence upon renewal. For driving with low-speed vehicles such as small street sweepers and mowing machines, you will not need a T-driving licence.

Forklift truck

Anyone driving a forklift truck that is more than 1.3 meter wide or is pulling a trailer, needs a T-driving licence. With regard to 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 CBR safety certificate or certificate of professional competence for forklift or reach truck drivers.

Brexit

The UK has left the European Union. This means that as of 1 January 2021 the UK is considered a third country. If you have a UK driving licence or a driving licence from Gibraltar, there are consequences. How these consequences affect you depends on when you became resident in the Netherlands and if you are a professional driver or not.