Expat Information
Bron: Rijksoverheid
Can I drive in the Netherlands with my foreign driver's license?
Whether you are allowed to drive in the Netherlands with your foreign driving license depends on your length of stay. And the country where you obtained your driver's license.
Driving license issued within the EU, EEA or Switzerland
Was your driving license issued by a country in the European Union (EU), EEA or Switzerland? And hasn't it expired? Then you can drive it in the Netherlands. Even if you come to live here.
Driving license issued outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland
Was the driving license issued by a country other than an EU or EEA country or Switzerland? Then you can drive it if you come here for work or on holiday.
If you are going to live in the Netherlands, you can continue to drive with your driver's license for another 185 days. You will then need a Dutch driving license. You apply for a Dutch driving license from your municipality. For this you need registration in the Population Register of Persons (BRP).
Exchange your foreign driving license for a Dutch driving licence
In some cases you may exchange your foreign driving license for a Dutch driving license without taking the driving test again. You will find more information about exchanging foreign driving licenses on the RDW website.
Exchange foreign driver's license
Bron: RDW
Do you have a foreign driving license and do you live in the Netherlands? Then you may first drive temporarily in the Netherlands with a foreign driver's license. You must then exchange the driving license through your municipality. Whether this is possible depends on the country where the driving license was issued. You can always exchange a valid driving license from the EU/EFTA.
Conditions for exchange
* You are registered in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP).
* You have a valid identity or residence document.
* No EU/EFTA nationality? Then you must have a residence permit for a fixed or indefinite period. Or you are in the Netherlands on the basis of Association Decision 1/80 of the EEC/Turkey Association Council. Exchange is not possible if you are waiting for a (new) residence permit.
* You have a valid driving license from the EU/EFTA or from a country with which we have an agreement. A driving license from the EU/EFTA may have expired.
i. 30% ruling
Are you in the Netherlands for work (a highly skilled migrant) and do you have a 30% ruling from the Tax Authorities? Then you can exchange your driving license (from any country). Read more at For your work in the Netherlands.
Check whether your driving license is suitable
You can exchange a driving license from the EU/EFTA.
Is your driving license not from EU/EFTA? Then check the list of countries.
Do you have a 30% ruling? Then you can exchange your driving license (from any country).
i. You must have lived in the country for 185 days in the year in which you obtained your driver's license. Only then can you exchange.
Countries outside the EU/EFTA where exchanging driving license is possible
You will only get back the category that is in this list under Category.
| Country | Category |
|---|---|
| Andorra | Category B (passenger car) |
| Canadian province Alberta | Category B (class 5, passenger car) |
| Canadian province Québec | Category B (class 5, passenger car) |
| Gibraltar | All categories |
| Great Britain | All categories |
| Guernsly | All categories |
| Israel | Category B (passenger car) |
| Japan | Categories A and B (1B, passenger car and motorcycle with more than 400 cm3) |
| Jersey | All categories |
| Male | All categories |
| Monaco | All categories |
| Northern Ireland | All categories |
| Singapore | Category A (class 2, motorcycle with more than 400 cc), category B (class 3, passenger car) |
| Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) | Category B (passenger car) |
| Former Netherlands Antilles (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten) | All categories |
| South Korea | Category B (1st and 2nd class ordinary license) |
Have you previously had a Dutch driver's license?
Do you have a driver's license from a country with which we do not have an agreement? But have you had a Dutch driving license in the past that was valid after June 30, 1985? Then it is possible to exchange your driver's license. You will then receive the same categories that you had on your Dutch driving license.
This is how exchanging works at your municipality
1. Take the following with you
* A color passport photo. View the photo matrix for the requirements.
* Your foreign driver's license. Do you have a driving license with characters that are not used in the Netherlands, for example in Japanese
or Greek? Then have the driver's license translated by a sworn translator, the embassy or consulate.
* An old Dutch driving license if you have one.
* The Tax Authorities' Evidence Rule Decision if you are in the Netherlands for work. See If you are in the Netherlands for work.
* A health declaration from the CBR if you have a driver's license from outside the EU/EFTA. You sometimes also need this for driving
licenses from the EU/EFA. Check the CBR website for this.
2. Complete the application form and pay the costs. These differ per municipality.
3. Your municipality will forward the application with all documents to us. Only the municipality can submit the application.
4. Is everything OK? You will then receive a letter within 15 working days. This states that you can collect your Dutch driving license from the
municipality after 5 working days. If we miss information, we will also send you a letter. This states what information we need from you. The
exchange will then take longer.
5. You will not get your driver's license back. We always return the foreign driving license to the country where the driving license was issued.
This is required by law.
Bring extra if you have an expired driving license from Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
Do you have an expired driver's license from Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland? Then bring an original statement from the issuing authority stating that it has no objection to the issuance of a Dutch driving license.
If exchange is not possible
Can you not exchange your foreign driving license for a Dutch driving licence? Then you must take a theory and practical exam at the CBR to obtain a Dutch driving license.
If you are in the Netherlands for work
Are you in the Netherlands for work (highly skilled migrant)? Then you may fall under the 30% ruling of the Tax Authorities. You can exchange your foreign driving license (from any country) for a Dutch driving license. This is only possible if the foreign driving license is still valid. You will receive all categories that are also listed on your foreign driver's license.
In that case, to apply for a Dutch driver's license, you will need a valid 'Decree on Evidence Rule' (declaration) from the Tax Authorities. You apply for this together with your employer.
Driving without a driver's license upon exchange
You decide whether you continue to drive during the application. You may drive a vehicle if you have a valid driver's license. If you are stopped by the police as a driver, you must be able to show your driver's license. The police can issue a fine if you cannot do this. The chance that the police will stop you is small if you obey the traffic rules. Does this happen anyway (for example during a traffic control)? The police can then ask us whether an exchange request has been made and whether you have surrendered a valid driving license. The chance of a fine is therefore small, but present. It is up to you whether or not to take this risk.
The Fine Base of the Public Prosecution Service (OM) states how high the fine is for not being able to show a driving license.
Bring your passport or identity card
If you do drive, take a document with you that can prove who you are (identify). This can be done, for example, with your passport or identity card.
Insurance
Do you have a valid driver's license and insurance? Then you are simply insured. Even if you cannot show your driving license at that time. Please contact your insurer for more information.
Other countries
We do not recommend driving in other countries during the application. They cannot always request the data. And the rules and consequences may be different.