Driving in the Netherlands with a foreign licence: how long it's valid and how to exchange it (2026)

With a licence from outside the EU/EFTA you may drive in the Netherlands for 185 days after you move here; after that you need a Dutch licence (rijbewijs). An EU/EFTA car licence stays valid much longer, usually until 15 years after its issue date. You exchange a licence at your municipality (gemeente), which sends it to the RDW. Only licences from the EU/EFTA and a short list of other countries can be exchanged, unless you have the 30% ruling: then a licence from any country can be exchanged. Otherwise you must pass the CBR theory and practical exams.

Status as of 29 September 2026, checked against the official sources listed at the end of this article. Amounts for 2027 are proposals unless stated otherwise and can still change.

Source: RDW. Moving here means registering as a resident in the population register (BRP). Apply for the exchange at least 15 working days before your licence stops being valid here: after the deadline you may not drive, even while your application is pending. The RDW can't exchange a non-EU licence that has already expired.

All EU and EFTA licences can be exchanged. Outside the EU/EFTA, the RDW exchanges licences from this list, sometimes only for category B (car):

For non-EU licences you must also have lived in the issuing country for at least 185 days in the year you obtained the licence. Source: RDW. Countries such as the United States, India and Australia are not on the list, so without the 30% ruling you have to take the Dutch exams.

If the Tax Administration has granted you the 30% ruling (expat scheme), you can exchange a licence from any country. You bring the tax decision showing the ruling applies (beschikking) to the municipality. Your employer applies for the ruling together with you; see Belastingdienst. Several municipalities also let family members registered at your address use this route; ask your own municipality before your appointment.

1. Health declaration (non-EU licences): fill in the Gezondheidsverklaring online at Mijn CBR with DigiD. It costs €46.90 in 2026 (CBR). Some EU licence holders need one too, depending on their situation (CBR).
2. Appointment at the municipality: bring a passport photo that meets the rules, your foreign licence (with a certified translation if it's not in Latin script), your ID and, if applicable, the 30% ruling decision.
3. Pay the fee: each municipality sets its own price.
4. Wait: the RDW sends a notification within 15 working days; you can then collect the Dutch licence at the municipality within 5 working days. You hand in your foreign licence.

Source: RDW.

Then you take the Dutch exams at the CBR. The car theory exam can be taken in English at all CBR exam centres (CBR); for other languages you book an approved interpreter. In 2026 the CBR charges €50.50 for the standard theory exam and €143.50 for the practical car exam (CBR); the English theory exam may cost more. Most people take some lessons first to learn the Dutch exam routines, even if they've driven for years.

Checked on 29 September 2026:

• RDW: driving with a foreign driving licence
• RDW: exchanging a foreign driving licence
• CBR: tariffs 2026 (in Dutch)
• CBR: theory exam in another language (in Dutch)
• CBR: do I need a health declaration (in Dutch)
• Belastingdienst: applying for the 30% ruling (in Dutch)