Exchange a driving licence from EU/EEA or Switzerland

A driving licence from an EU/EEA member country or Switzerland remains valid for up to 10 years when you move to the Netherlands.

What is it?

A driving licence that has been issued by an EU/EEA member country or Switzerland remains valid for up to 10 years when you move to the Netherlands. You may exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dutch one during this time. To do so, submit an application with the municipality.

What are the conditions?

Do you need to know the deadline for exchanging your driving licence? This will depend on your age, the date on which your driving licence was issued and the date on which you moved to the Netherlands.

• Was your foreign driving licence issued before your 60th birthday? Then your driving licence is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
• Was your foreign driving licence issued between your 60th and 65th birthdays? Then your driving licence is valid until your 70th birthday.
• Was your foreign driving licence issued after your 65th birthday? Then you may use the driving licence for a period of 5 years.

Please note: Are there more than 10 years between the date your foreign driving licence was issued and the date you moved to the Netherlands? And is your driving licence still valid? Then you may continue driving with your foreign driving licence for the first year after you have moved to the Netherlands. After that, you will have to apply for a Dutch driving licence if you want to continue driving a motor vehicle.

Citizenship requirements

To obtain a driving licence, you need to meet one 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.

What will I need?

• passport photo
  Strict rules apply to passport photos. For example, the photo needs to be in colour and has to be taken straight from the front. A list of all the requirements can be found in Passport photo requirements (pdf).
• proof of identity
• the driving licence you want to exchange.
  Please note: You will be asked to turn in your old licence.
• a medical declaration, if applicable
• Are you a foreign student? Then you also need to provide proof of enrolment from your educational institute.
• Are you a professional chauffeur? Then you might also need a certificate of professional competence.
• Has your foreign driving licence been lost or stolen? Then bring along the Dutch police report as well as a statement from the authority that issued the driving licence.

The municipality will verify the authenticity of your identity documents.

How much will it cost?

€ 45.25.

Please note: These fees must be paid upfront when you submit your application.

How long will it take?

The Dutch Road Transport Directorate (RDW) will contact you when your driving licence is ready to collect from the municipality.

How do I apply/What do I need to do?

• Visit the Department of Public Service desk in person to exchange your driving licence. You may make an appointment beforehand if you like, by phone or online using DigiD.
• A counter clerk will collect your foreign driving licence and give you a certified copy and a receipt.
• The counter clerk will forward your application and foreign driving licence to the RDW.
• The RDW will review your application and send you a notification when the licence is ready for collection.
• You will need to collect your driving licence in person from the sub-municipal office where you submitted your application. This has to be done within 3 months of submitting your application.

Please note: You will not receive your old driving licence back after the exchange. Instead, the RDW will return your driving licence to the issuing authority in your country of origin.

Make an appointment

See also

• Driving licence, general information
• Driving licence, Medical Report Form
• Exchange a driving licence from outside EU/EEA or Switzerland
• Rijbewijs.nl