Please read the entire contents of this file!

As a general rule, tourists and business travelers in possession of a valid drivers license may use that license to drive in the Netherlands. Be aware, however, that in some instances an international driver's license is required; international driver's licenses can be obtained from automobile associations in your home country.

If you are going to reside in the Netherlands, however, you may use your foreign driver's license for only a limited period of time, the length of which depends on which country issued the license (see below). After this limited time period has elapsed, you must obtain a Dutch driver's license.

A Dutch driver's license is issued after passing a written test and a driving test at the Dutch Driver's License Authority (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen, or CBR). If you previously held a Dutch driver's license but were unable to renew it due to a long-term residence outside the Netherlands, you may be able to renew that license provided it was valid on or after 1 July 1985. Driver license and renewal applications can be obtained by writing to the Office of Transportation at the Royal Netherlands Embassy, 4200 Linnean Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC. 20008 or by sending an e-mail to was-va@minbuza.nl.

Exchanging a Foreign Driver's License for a Dutch License

In certain cases you may exchange your foreign-issued driver's license for a Dutch license. This is possible only if you reside in the Netherlands and obtain valid resident status; moreover, the foreign driver's license must have been issued within a one-year period during which the holder resided at least 185 days in the issuing country.

The exchange must occur within one year of taking up residence in the Netherlands and applies only to valid driver's licenses issued by the following countries: Aruba, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jersey (states of), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Isle of Man, Monaco, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland.

Driver's licenses issued in the following countries can be exchanged only if they fall within these categories: Taiwan, B (passenger car), Israel, B (passenger car), Japan, IB (passenger cars and motorcycles larger than 400cc), Singapore, Class 2 (motorcycles larger than 400 cc), Class 3 (passenger car).

How to exchange a driver's license

If you are entitled to benefit from the 35% tax ruling, this means that you and other member (s) of your family can ask for an exchange form for your foreign driver's license at your local municipality In addition to the fully completed form, you are also required to submit:

a copy of a statement issued by the Tax Office in Heerlen proving that you or the other member (s) of your family are entitled to benefit from the 35% tax ruling;
the original, valid foreign driver's license;
a birth certificate or certificate of residence from the municipality;
a statement of capability; and
two identical, recent passport photographs.
As soon as the municipal fees have been paid, the council will send the entire application to the RDW Centrum voor Voertuigtechniek en Informatie, P.O Box 9000, 9640 HA Veendam.

Statement of Capability

If you wish to apply for a Dutch driver's license for the category(ies) A and/or B and/or E (E for B), you first have to fill out a "personal declaration". This Personal Declaration form can be obtained from your local municipality. If you also wish to apply for the Dutch category(ies) C and/or D (E for C or E for D), or you are over 70 years of age, you will be required to undergo a medical examination. In that case, you should apply for a Personal Declaration in combination with a Medical Certificate. The relevant section of the form should be filled out by a doctor other than your own doctor. Both the Medical Certificate and the Personal Declaration as well as a certificate of residence from the municipality should be sent to one of the Central Bureaus for Certificates of Driving Proficiency (CBR).

If your driver's license cannot be exchanged, you must pass a driving test at the Dutch Driver's License Authority (CBR). Holders of a valid Category B (passenger car) license can opt (just once) to take an "accelerated" driving test at the Special Driving Test Office (Bureau Nader Onderzoek Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen or BNOR). A written test is not required if you can present a valid legible foreign driver's license (certified translations are accepted). In order to maintain driving privileges this exam must be taken within 6 months after taking-up residency in the Netherlands. The following documentation must be submitted when taking the "accelerated" driving test:

proof of valid residential status in the Netherlands;
a completed 'Eigen Verklaring' form which can be obtained at the CBR, the municipalities or driving schools;
a copy of your foreign-issued driver's license (no international driver's licenses);
a copy of government issued ID-card (passport, etc.).
If you fail, the driving test must be taken at the Dutch Driver's License Authority.

For further information or questions on this accelerated driving test, please call the BNOR in Rijswijk: +31-70-413-0300.

Source: Dutch Embassy website