Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in the Netherlands

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Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in the Netherlands

• The legal age to drive a car or motorbike is 18. 16 year-olds may drive a moped of under 125cc
• Anyone who drives a motor vehicle in the Netherlands must have a valid driving licence and at least third party liability insurance

Exchanging Foreign Driving Licences 

A driver's license issued in a Member State of the European Union or in Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland is valid and can be used in the Netherlands.

Though a Dutch licence is not required for EU citizens who become residents of The Netherlands, Dutch licence regulations will apply to their licence regarding:

• The period of validity of the licence
• Medical checks
• Taxes
• Penalties and restrictions, including suspension, withdrawal and cancellation of the licence

If a driving infraction occurs, Dutch authorities can require the holder of a licence from an EU country to obtain a new licence.

Driving licences obtained from the following countries may be exchanged against a Dutch one, providing the holder is resident in the Netherlands and has a valid residence permit:

• Aruba, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jersey, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Isle of Man, Monaco, Dutch Antilles, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta.
• Further Information from EURES: Click here

Driving licences issued in the following countries may only be exchanged in specific cases:

• Andorra - B (passenger vehicle)
• Taiwan - B (passenger vehicle)
• Israel - B (passenger vehicle)
• Japan - IB (passenger vehicle and motorcycle of more than 400cc)
• Singapore - Class 2 (motorcycle of more than 400cc) Class 3 (passenger vehicle)
• Korean Republic - B (passenger vehicle)

To exchange a foreign driving licence, it must be valid at the time of the application and have been issued in a year during which the person was resident in the country of origin. The exchange must occur within one year of taking up residence in the Netherlands.

• More information from the Rejbewijs.nl: Click here

The procedure for exchanging a foreign driving licence

The following process applies to licences of categories A, B and BE. Exchanging heavy duty and commercial licences require a more complex process. 

In order to exchange (omwissel) a foreign driving licence against a Dutch one, go to the local municipal office and request (and pay for) a proof of residence document (uittreksel bevolkingsregister). This document serves to confirm a person's identity and address.

Then send the following to the Driving Test Organisation (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen, CBR):

• A request exchange form (Aanvraag omwisseling voor Nederlands rijbewijs) available from the Gemeente
• A health form (Uitgebreide Eigen Verklaring)  filled in by the licence holder and their doctor
• The proof of residence document (Uittreksel Bevolkingsregister)
• A stamped, self-addressed envelope
• Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheid
  At: Postbus 1910, 2280 DX Rijswijk
  Tel: 070 413 0300
• See the CBR Rijbewijs website for more information: Click here

Once processed, a "certificate of fitness" (Verklaring van geschiktheid) will be issued by mail.

The following documents must then be submitted to the municipal office:

• The original, valid foreign driving licence
• The certificate of fitness (Verklaring van geschiktheid)
• Two identical, recent passport photographs
• The exchange form, which has been partly filled in by the licence holder and partly by a civil servant from the municipal office (Aanvraag omwisseling voor Nederlands rijbewijs)
• If benefiting from the 30 percent-ruling (see below) a copy of a statement issued by the Tax Office, providing proof of this

As soon as the municipal fees have been paid, the municipal office will send the entire application to the RDW for evaluation. If the application is granted, the Dutch driving licence will be sent by normal mail within two to three weeks.

Since the original foreign driving licence will be sent to the RDW the person applying is advised to take a photocopy of their original driving licence, together with the request for a Dutch one, otherwise they will be left without any document.

The 30 percent ruling and getting a licence

• For more information on tax law see the INFOrmation page Income Tax in the Netherlands

Anyone who becomes entitled to benefit from the "30 percent tax ruling" can simply exchange their licence, no matter where they are from. This applies to family members too. Ask for an exchange form for the foreign driving licence at a local municipal office.

In addition to the fully completed form, the following must also be submitted:

• a copy of a statement issued by the Tax Office proving that the applicant and family members are entitled to benefit from the 30 percent tax ruling
• the original, valid foreign driver's licence
• a birth certificate or certificate of residence from the municipality
• a statement of capability
• two identical, recent passport photographs

As soon as the municipal fees have been paid, the council will send the entire application to the RDW, and the driving licence will be issued within two to three weeks.

Return of the original driving licence

EU citizens will forfeit their original licence when exchanging it for a Dutch one, unless they are receiving the 30 percent ruling. Non-European Union nationals benefiting from the 30 percent ruling will have their original licence sent to their address in the Netherlands.

Non-EU citizens who are not receiving the 30 percent ruling cannot apply to exchange their driving licence for a Dutch one and are advised to obtain a Dutch driving licence.

Non-EU Licences

If a country listed above did not issue the driving licence then the holder has 185 days (six months), after registering as a Dutch resident, to change it for a Dutch one.

In some cases an International Driving Licence may be required to accompany the original for the transition period, the Embassy will be able to advice on whether this is necessary.

• Information for American driving licences in the Netherlands: Click here
• Information for New Zealand driving licences in the Netherlands: Click here 
• Information for Australians: Click here 

Diplomatic Exemption

Diplomatic staff or consular officers in the Netherlands and their families benefit from a special status. People covered by the diplomatic rule may drive in the Netherlands without the need to exchange their foreign licence for a Dutch one.

Certificate of Suitability

A "Certificate of Suitability" may be required by the authorities (CBR – Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing) over and above the health form when applying for a driving licence, in specific cases:

• when a Dutch licence is first issued
• when trading in a licence issued by certain countries
• if the application is made by diplomatic or consular staff or their families
• if certain medical issues are involved
• if the driver is older than 65

Licence Verification

As so many different types of driving licences from various countries are submitted for exchange, the validity or authenticity of every document has to be verified. The Department of Road Transport may therefore ask the applicant to have the validity of certain information confirmed by the Consulate or Embassy of the country that issued the foreign driving licence.

It may also be necessary to have the content of the foreign driving licence translated by an approved interpreter/translator.

Japanese and Taiwanese nationals who wish to exchange their licences are required to have their original licence translated. Chinese nationals — who are obligated to undergo an exam before exchanging their licence for a Dutch driving licence — must also obtain a translation of their original licence.

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Driving in the Netherlands
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Getting a Dutch Driving Licence
• The Dutch Department of Road Transport (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer or RDW)
  At: Skager Rak 10, P.O. Box 30.000, 9640 RA Veendam
  Tel: 0900 0739
  Website
• P.O. Box 51 Infolijn
  An information line for general information and applications for leaflets related to the Dutch driving licence and the moped certificate.
  Tel: 0800 8051
  Open: 09:00-21:00 weekdays
• Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen, CBR
• BNOR (Bureau Nader Onderzoek Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen)
  At: Lange Kleiweg 30, P.O. Box 3206, 2280 GE Rijswijk
  Tel: 070 413 0300