Exchange Your Driving Licence in the Netherlands (2026)

Whether you have just landed or have been here a while and kept putting this off, here is everything you need to know about exchanging your driving licence in the Netherlands in 2026.

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Can You Drive on Your Foreign Licence in the Netherlands?

The short answer: yes, but only for a while — and the exact rules depend on where your licence was issued.

EU and EEA licence holders

If your driving licence was issued by an EU or EEA country (the EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), you are in a fortunate position. Your licence remains valid in the Netherlands for as long as it has not expired. There is no formal obligation to exchange it.

That said, many EU expats do choose to exchange voluntarily. A Dutch licence is more practical for everyday use, and if your foreign licence is close to expiry, renewing it from abroad becomes complicated. Exchanging it into a Dutch licence is a clean solution.

Non-EU licence holders — the 185-day rule

If your licence was issued outside the EU/EEA, things are more time-sensitive. Once you have registered at a Dutch municipality (which you are required to do when you move here — see my BSN registration guide for the full process), a 185-day window begins.

During those 185 days, you may drive on your foreign licence. After day 185, you must hold a valid Dutch driving licence. No exceptions, no grace periods.

185 days sounds like a lot. It goes faster than you think, especially once you factor in appointment waiting times at the gemeente and processing times at the RDW. My advice: start the exchange process within the first few weeks of arrival, not the last.

For a broader overview of driving rules and road culture here, have a look at my driving in the Netherlands guide for expats.

EU/EEA Licence Exchange Process

Exchanging an EU or EEA licence is the simplest version of this process. Because your licence was issued under the same regulatory framework, the Netherlands accepts it at face value.

What the process looks like:

1. Book an appointment at your local gemeente (gemeentehuis or stadskantoor)
2. Bring the required documents (see the full list below)
3. Hand in your foreign licence — this is important, you do not keep it
4. Pay the municipality fee (typically €40–€50)
5. Receive a temporary driving permit (rijbewijs verklaring) valid while your new Dutch licence is produced
6. Receive your Dutch rijbewijs by post within 4–8 weeks

You do not need to take any test. You do not need a medical examination in most cases (there are age-related exceptions, particularly for heavy vehicle categories).

The one thing that catches people out: you hand over your original foreign licence. It is sent back to the issuing country’s authorities. If you later move back, you would need to re-exchange. Plan accordingly.

Non-EU Licence Exchange (Designated Countries)

This is the part that trips up more expats than anything else in this guide, because the internet is full of outdated claims about “over 30 countries” having an exchange agreement with the Netherlands. The actual RDW list of designated countries (aangewezen landen) outside the EU/EEA is much shorter than that.

The RDW designated-country list

As published on the RDW’s own page on exchanging a foreign driving licence and checked on 21 August 2026, the list has 16 entries:

• Andorra
• Alberta (Canada — this province only)
• Québec (Canada — this province only)
• Gibraltar
• Great Britain
• Guernsey
• Isle of Man
• Israel
• Japan
• Jersey
• Monaco
• Northern Ireland
• Singapore
• Chinese Taipei
• South Korea
• The former Netherlands Antilles

If your licence was issued in one of those places, you can exchange it at the gemeente without sitting any Dutch test — the same outcome as an EU exchange, just with slightly more paperwork.

What is explicitly not on the list

Three assumptions cause the most disappointment at the gemeente desk:

• The United States is not on the list. No state qualifies. See my guide to moving to the Netherlands from the USA, which walks through the 30% ruling route described below.
• Australia is not on the list. Neither is New Zealand.
• Canada is only partly on the list. Alberta and Québec qualify; a licence from Ontario, British Columbia or any other province does not.

Also not designated, despite frequently appearing on expat forums: Switzerland, South Africa, Taiwan-as-“Taiwan” (the RDW uses “Chinese Taipei”), Hong Kong, Morocco, Turkey, Serbia, San Marino and Vatican City.

For UK licence holders: Great Britain and Northern Ireland are both on the list, and that survived Brexit — as do Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, which the RDW lists separately.

The 30% ruling route for everyone else

There is a second, much less well-known route that does not depend on the country list at all. If you hold the 30% ruling — the Dutch tax facility for incoming employees with specific expertise — or you are the partner or family member of someone who does, the RDW allows you to exchange a valid foreign driving licence without taking the Dutch theory and practical exams, regardless of where it was issued.

This is why so many American, Australian and Indian expats in Amsterdam have a Dutch licence without ever having sat a CBR exam: they exchanged under the 30% facility, not under a country agreement. The gemeente will ask for evidence of the ruling (the Belastingdienst decision letter, or a statement from your employer). If you are in the middle of a relocation and the 30% ruling is on the table, this is a real, concrete reason to get it applied for early.

Two caveats worth knowing before you count on it. The exchange has to happen while the ruling applies to you, and the licence you hand in must still be valid — an expired foreign licence cannot be exchanged under any route.

The RDW maintains the authoritative version of both the country list and the 30% ruling conditions, and it does change. Check the RDW exchange page yourself before you book, rather than trusting a list in a blog post — including this one.

The exchange process for designated countries and 30% ruling holders is identical to the EU process described above. You book at the gemeente, bring your documents, hand over your original licence, and wait for your Dutch rijbewijs.

One difference worth noting: some municipalities are less experienced with non-EU exchanges and may require additional verification. If a clerk seems uncertain, ask them to consult the RDW directly. You have every right to do this.

Not on the List and No 30% Ruling — What Then?

If your licence was issued outside the EU/EEA, your country is not one of the 16 designated entries, and you do not have the 30% ruling, there is no shortcut. You will need to pass the full Dutch driving exam.

The good news is that you are still allowed to drive on your foreign licence for those 185 days, giving you time to prepare. And in practice, most expats with driving experience find the process manageable — it just takes time and money.

Because the designated list is so short, this is the default situation for most non-EU expats, including licence holders from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada outside Alberta and Québec, India, China, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, Switzerland and almost everywhere else. If you fall into this group, the single most valuable thing to check first is whether the 30% ruling applies to you or your partner, because that decides whether you spend an afternoon at the gemeente or several months at a driving school.

If neither route is open to you, skip ahead to the section on the Dutch driving exam.

Required Documents for Licence Exchange

Regardless of your country of origin, you will need to bring the following to your gemeente appointment:

Always required:

• Your current, valid foreign driving licence (original — not a copy)
• A valid passport or national ID card
• Proof of Dutch address registration (your BRP registration confirmation or a recent official letter showing your address)
• A completed application form (you can usually download this from your gemeente’s website, or pick one up at the desk)
• One recent passport-style photo (biometric, taken within the last six months — same as a passport photo)
• Payment for the municipal fee

Sometimes required (check with your gemeente):

• An official translation of your licence, if it is not in Latin script (Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, etc.)
• A sworn translation from a certified translator
• Proof of when you first registered in the Netherlands (to verify you are within the 185-day window)

For non-EU licences from countries where the licence text is not in Roman characters, an official translation is almost always required. Do not skip this step — it is the most common reason applications are rejected on the day.

Your DigiD also comes in handy for various online pre-checks and municipal portal forms. If you have not set that up yet, my DigiD guide for expats walks you through it.

Where to Apply: The Gemeente

All driving licence exchanges in the Netherlands are handled through your local gemeente (municipality). You cannot apply online; you must attend in person.

How to find the right appointment:

1. Go to your gemeente’s website (search “[city name] gemeente rijbewijs omwisselen”)
2. Find the appointment booking section (usually under “Paspoort, ID-kaart en rijbewijs”)
3. Select “rijbewijs omwisselen buitenlands rijbewijs” or similar wording
4. Book the earliest available slot

Waiting times vary significantly. In smaller municipalities, you might get an appointment within a week. In larger cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or The Hague, two to four weeks is common. During peak periods (September–October, when many expats arrive), it can be longer.

the editorial recommendation: book as soon as you have all your documents ready. You can always cancel if something changes.

If you have not yet registered at the gemeente, that comes first — you cannot exchange your licence without a BSN and an address on record. Start with my complete guide to moving to the Netherlands if you are still in the early stages.

Costs and Processing Time

Fees

The municipality fee varies — Amsterdam tends to charge at the higher end. Check your specific gemeente’s fee schedule on their website before you go.

Processing time

Once your application is accepted at the gemeente, your case is forwarded to the RDW for processing. Standard processing time is 4 to 8 weeks.

During this period, the gemeente gives you a temporary driving declaration (een verklaring dat uw rijbewijs is ingenomen). Keep this document with you whenever you drive. It is your legal proof that you are permitted to drive while your Dutch licence is being produced.

Your new Dutch licence will arrive by post to your registered address. This is one of many reasons why getting your address registration correct from day one matters — see registering your car in the Netherlands for related admin that often needs to happen around the same time.

The Dutch Driving Exam (If You Need It)

If your country is not one of the RDW’s designated countries and you cannot exchange under the 30% ruling, you will need to pass the Dutch driving exam administered by the CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen).

The exam has two parts:

1. Theory test (theorie-examen)

• 65 multiple-choice questions
• You need to answer at least 54 correctly (83%)
• Questions cover traffic rules, hazard recognition, and road signs
• Available in Dutch and English (and several other languages)
• Cost: approximately €44
• Can be booked directly on the CBR website (cbr.nl)

Most expats with driving experience find the theory test manageable with two to four weeks of focused study. The CBR sells official study materials, and there are good practice apps and websites. The hazard recognition section (gevaarherkenning) often surprises people — give it extra attention.

2. Practical driving test (rijexamen)

• Approximately 45 minutes on Dutch roads
• Examiner assesses your ability to handle traffic, follow road signs, perform manoeuvres (parking, reversing, etc.), and drive safely under various conditions
• Cost: approximately €130
• Must be booked through a registered Dutch driving school (rijschool)

You are not required to take lessons before the practical test, but almost all expats do. Dutch traffic rules and driving conventions differ from many countries, and examiners expect a specific style of observation and signalling. Most expats who have driven for years still take 10–20 lessons to adjust to Dutch expectations.

Total cost if you need the full exam (excluding lessons):

• Theory test: ~€44
• Practical test: ~€130
• Lessons: typically €50–€70 per lesson × 10–20 lessons

It adds up, but there is no way around it if neither the designated-country list nor the 30% ruling applies to you.

One practical tip: if you are going down this route, consider using public transport and cycling while you prepare. The Netherlands has exceptional OV-chipkaart public transport coverage and the cycling culture is unlike anywhere else. Many expats discover they barely need a car at all, particularly in urban areas.

International Driving Permit (IDP)

An International Driving Permit is a document that translates your licence details into multiple languages. It is not a licence itself — it must be carried alongside your original licence.

Do you need one for the Netherlands?

Not if you have an EU licence. Not if your licence is in Roman script and you are exchanging it as a designated-country or 30% ruling holder.

You may be asked to show an IDP if:

• Your licence is in a non-Latin script (Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, etc.) and you have not yet obtained a translation
• You are in the 185-day period and want additional documentation as a precaution
• You are driving through other countries on your way to or from the Netherlands

IDPs are issued in your home country before you leave, not in the Netherlands. If you did not get one before moving, you cannot apply for one here. However, in practice, police in the Netherlands rarely ask for an IDP from expats who are resident in the country — a certified translation of your licence tends to be more useful.

Common Mistakes and Tips

1. Waiting too long to start The 185-day rule catches people off guard. Mark the date of your municipality registration on your calendar and start the licence exchange process within the first month. Do not wait.

2. Assuming your country is on the exchange list This is the big one. The list has 16 entries, not “over 30 countries”, and the United States, Australia and most of Canada are not among them. Check the RDW page directly, and check whether the 30% ruling gives you an alternative route.

3. Bringing an untranslated licence If your licence is not in Roman script, bring a certified translation. Turning up without one means a wasted appointment and a fresh wait for the next slot.

4. Forgetting the original licence You must hand over the original. A photocopy is not accepted. Some people arrive having left their original at home, thinking a copy would do.

5. Not having a passport-style photo Phone photos are not acceptable. Get a proper biometric photo taken at a photo booth or photographer. Most supermarkets and train stations have photo booths.

6. Ignoring the temporary declaration Once your original licence is taken by the gemeente, you must carry the temporary declaration every time you drive. Do not leave it at home.

7. Assuming all municipalities work the same Each gemeente has slightly different procedures, slightly different forms, and slightly different fees. Check your specific gemeente’s website rather than relying solely on general information.

Final Thoughts

Exchanging your driving licence is one of those relocation tasks that sounds more daunting than it is — as long as you start on time and have the right documents. The biggest mistake is inaction. The clock starts when you register at the gemeente, not when you feel ready.

If your licence is from a designated country, or you can exchange under the 30% ruling, the whole process is manageable in a single municipality appointment plus a few weeks of waiting. If you need the full Dutch exam, budget several months and take proper lessons. Either way, it is entirely doable.

The one thing to do first: check the RDW exchange page to confirm whether your licence qualifies, either through the designated-country list or the 30% ruling. That single check determines your entire path — either a gemeente appointment and a few weeks’ wait, or a CBR exam that takes months to prepare for. Once you know which route you are on, book your gemeente appointment immediately. Waiting lists in larger cities run two to four weeks, and the 185-day clock does not pause while you wait.

You can also use the BSN planner tool to map out your registration timeline and make sure you do not miss any key deadlines.

Good luck — and enjoy the roads (when they are not clogged with cycling lanes, which, honestly, is what makes this country wonderful).

Costs to Budget For

Exchanging your driving licence in the Netherlands is not expensive — but the costs add up when you include everything.

If you can exchange (designated country or 30% ruling):

• Municipality (gemeente) application fee: approximately EUR 40–55
• Passport-style photo: EUR 5–10 at a photo booth
• Certified translation (if your licence is not in a Roman alphabet or is in a less common language): EUR 50–100
• Total: approximately EUR 50–150

If you need to take the CBR theory exam:

• CBR theory exam registration: current CBR tariff
• Theory exam preparation course: EUR 50–200 (optional but recommended)
• Total for theory: EUR 90–240

If you need to take the CBR practical exam:

• CBR practical exam: current CBR tariff plus any driving-school charge
• Driving lessons with a CBR-registered instructor: EUR 50–70 per hour
• Minimum lessons for an experienced driver unfamiliar with Dutch rules: 10–20 hours (EUR 500–1,400)
• Total for practical: EUR 630–1,530+

If you fail the practical exam: A resit adds the current exam and school charges plus any additional lessons. Ask the school to itemise these costs in advance.

What Your Dutch Licence Looks Like

Dutch driving licences are issued as a credit-card-sized document (rijbewijs). They show your name and date of birth, the categories you are licensed for (B = car, A = motorcycle), the expiry date (typically 10 years for category B), and a photograph.

The licence is produced by the RDW and sent by post from the gemeente, taking approximately 2–4 weeks. During this period, the gemeente provides a temporary declaration (rijbewijsverklaring) that you must carry when driving. This is a printed document — keep it in your wallet or glovebox. Driving without it while your permanent licence is in production is technically an offence.

When your Dutch licence expires after 10 years, you renew at your gemeente with a new photo and the renewal fee. The test is not required again for a standard renewal. If you lose your Dutch licence, apply for a replacement at your gemeente (approximately EUR 30–40), and file a police report first if it was stolen.

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Also sort car insurance now that you have a Dutch licence: car insurance in the Netherlands for expats covers the cover levels, the schadevrije jaren ladder and how to get foreign claim-free years recognised.