Driving licence

Anyone wanting to drive a car or motorcycle in the Netherlands must be in possession of a valid driving licence, and the driver must be at least 18 years old (21 years for drivers of heavy vehicles like buses).

If you come to live in the Netherlands, it depends on the country that issued your driving licence whether you may make use of your foreign driving licence in the Netherlands. In some cases the driving licence that you obtained in a foreign country can be exchanged for a Dutch driving licence. This option is not available to citizens of all countries; sometimes it will be necessary to redo the driving test.

An exception is made for employees of international organisations in The Hague or people holding a diplomatic status and their immediate family. They do not need to exchange their foreign driving licence for a Dutch one.

Would you like to find out which rules apply to your situation? Please visit the website of Rijbewijs.nl or  contact the Municipality on tel: 14 070.

Extra information:

• General information about driving licences
• Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands: A brochure on road traffic signs and regulations (PDF).
• Obtaining a Driving Licence in the Netherlands: A booklet written by ACCESS (PDF).

Useful organisations:

• Driving Test Organisation: CBR is responsible for administering driving tests.
• Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: Extensive English-language information on mobility in the Netherlands.
• Government.nl: Dutch government's centre for public service information.

Moped

Moped certificates (bromfietscertificaat) lost their validity on 1 October 2009. Instead you now have to have a moped licence.