Driving licence, general information

Published: 14 September 2010 Modified: 01 October 2010

A driving licence allows you to drive a motor vehicle or ride a motorcycle. Your driving licence is also seen as an identity document, so you can often use it to provide proof of your identity. A driving licence is valid for up to 10 years.

To obtain a driving licence, you need to pass the driving test of the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (CBR). Do you want to renew your driving licence? Then you don’t need to take the test again.

Citizenship requirements

To obtain a driving licence, you need to meet 1 of the following requirements:

You are a citizen of one of the EU or EEA member countries or of Switzerland.
You have a valid residence permit.

Validity

A driving licence is usually valid for 10 years. The municipality will issue a driving licence for a shorter period in the following cases:

Are you aged between 60 and 65? Then your driving licence is valid until your 70th birthday.
Are you 65 or older? Then you will be issued a driving licence that is valid for 5 years.
A driving licence can also be issued for a shorter period on medical grounds.

Diplomatic status

Do you work at an international organisation or have diplomatic status? Then you and your immediate family do not need to obtain a Dutch driving licence. You will, however, need a valid foreign driving licence and an identity pass for privileged persons from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Would you nonetheless prefer to apply for a Dutch driving licence and are you registered as a resident of The Hague? Then you may submit an application at one of the sub-municipal offices. Are you registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Then you may submit your application to the Dutch Road Transport Directorate (RDW) in Veendam. The application form can be downloaded from the website Rijbewijs.nl.