Exchange a driving licence from outside EU/EEA or Switzerland

Do you have a driving licence that was issued outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland? Then you may use this driving licence for up to 185 days after moving to the Netherlands.

What is it?

A driving licence that was issued outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland has limited validity in the Netherlands. When you take up residence in the Netherlands, you may use this driving licence for the first 185 days only. In some case, you will be able to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dutch one. To do so, submit an application with the municipality. You can also obtain a Dutch driving licence, for which you will have to pass a theory and practical driving test.

How does it work?

• You may exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dutch one.
  Special rules apply for this.
• You can also obtain a Dutch driving licence.
  For this, you will have to pass a theory and practical driving test. You can read more about it under First-time application for a driving licence.

What are the conditions?

You will be able to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dutch one in the following cases:

• You have a valid driving licence from one of the following countries allocated by the Dutch Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management:
  Andorra (category B)
  Taiwan (category B)
  Israel ( category B)
  Japan (category A and B)
  Jersey (all categories)
  The Isle of Man (all categories)
  Monaco (all categories)
  Singapore (categories A and B)
  The Republic of Korea (category B)
  Quebec (category B)
• You obtained a driving licence from a country not on the list and you gave up your Dutch driving licence at the time. Your Dutch driving licence was still valid after 30 June 1985.
• You have a valid driving licence from a country not on the list and had been awarded the 30% facility for highly skilled migrants by the Minister of Finance.

For whom is it intended?

Anyone with a valid residence permit and a valid driving licence from one of the above countries.

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 hand in your old licence.
• a medical declaration, if applicable
• Do you qualify for the 30% facility for highly-skilled migrants? Then please bring along a letter from the tax authorities in Heerlen.

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 you can collect your driving licence 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
• Rijbewijs.nl
• Driving licence, Medical Report Form