Exchanging a foreign driving licence
Do you have a foreign driving licence while living in the Netherlands? You may temporarily continue to drive with a foreign driving licence. After that period, you will have to exchange the licence at your municipality. Whether or not this is possible, depends on the country where your driving licence was issued. As long as you meet the requirements, you can always exchange a valid driving licence from the EU or EFTA.
- You can exchange an EU/EFTA driving licence.
- Is your driving licence not from an EU/EFTA country? Then check the list of countries. Do you have a driving licence from a country that is not on the list, for example a driving licence from America? Then you cannot exchange.
- Do you benefit from the 30% tax rule? Then you can exchange your driving licence (from any country).
You must have lived in the country for 185 days in the year you obtained the licence. Only then can you exchange.
Driving licences from countries outside the EU/EFTA that can be exchanged
You will get the licence category listed below. Do you have a driving licence from a country that is not on the list, for example a driving licence from America? Then exchange is not possible.
| Country | Category |
|---|---|
| Andorra | Category B (passenger car) |
| Canadian province of Alberta | Category B (class 5, passenger car) |
| Canadian province of Québec | Category B (class 5, passenger car) |
| Gibraltar | All categories |
| Great Britain | All categories (the BE category only if you have taken a separate exam for this) |
| Guernsey | All categories |
| Israel | Category B (passenger car) |
| Japan | Categories A and B (1B, passenger cars and motorcycles with cylinder capacities of more than 400 cm3) |
| Jersey | All categories |
| Isle of Man | All categories |
| Monaco | All categories |
| North Ireland | All categories |
| Singapore | Category A (class 2, motorcycles with cylinder capacities of more than 400 cc), category B (class 3, passenger car) |
| Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) | Category B (passenger car) |
| Former Netherlands Antilles (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten) |
All categories |
| South Korea | Category B (1st and 2nd class ordinary licence) |
Previously held a Dutch driving licence?
Do you have a driving licence from a country that has no agreement with the Netherlands? But have you had a Dutch driving licence in the past that was valid after June 30, 1985? If so, it is possible to exchange your driving licence. You will then get the same categories you had on your Dutch driving licence.
- Does the checklist reveal that you can indeed exchange your foreign driving licence? Please visit your municipality and bring the following:
- A colour passport photo. Check the requirements.
- Your foreign driving licence. Does your licence contain characters that are not used in the Netherlands, such as in Japanese or Greek? Have the licence translated by a certified translator, the embassy or the consulate.
- An old Dutch driving licence, if you have one.
- A valid Decision on the Evidence Rule from the Dutch tax authority if you are working in the Netherlands and hold a driving licence from outside the EU or EFTA.
- A Health Declaration Form from the CBR if you have a driving licence from outside the EU/EFTA. You may need one for licences from within the EU/EFTA as well. For more information, please visit the CBR’s website.
2. Fill out the application form at the municipality and pay the fee. The fee may vary per municipality.
Your municipality will forward the application and all the documentation to us. Only the municipality can submit the application.
Everything in order? You will receive a letter within 15 working days to inform you that you can pick up your Dutch driving licence at your municipality after 5 working days. If any of the required information is missing, we will inform you in writing as well. This will delay the exchange of your driving licence.
You will not get your licence back.
Expired driving licence from Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
Do you have an expired driving licence from Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland? Please bring an original statement from the issuing authority stating that they have no objection to the issuance of a Dutch driving licence.
If you are unable to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dutch one, you will need to take both the theory and practical tests at the CBR in order to obtain a Dutch driving licence.
Whether or not you continue to drive during the exchange process, is up to you. You are allowed to operate a vehicle if you have a valid driving licence. If the police stops you while driving, you must be able to present your driving licence. The police may fine you if you cannot comply. The risk of getting stopped by the police is slim as long as you keep to the traffic rules. If you are stopped nonetheless, for example during a roadside check, the police can contact us to verify whether you have submitted an application for exchange and whether you have handed in a valid driving licence. The risk of getting a fine is therefore small, but present. It is up to you to decide whether or not you want to run this risk.
The Fine Database of the Public Prosecutor (OM) states the amount of the fine for failing to produce a driving licence.
Bring your passport or ID
Should you decide to drive, be sure to bring a document that proves who you are (identification), such as a passport or ID.
Insurance
If you have a valid driving licence and have taken out insurance, you are insured. Even if you are unable to present the driving licence at that time. For more information, please contact your insurance company.
Other countries
We advise against driving in other countries during the exchange procedure. They may not be able to verify your information. And the rules and consequences may differ.
If you no longer wish to use a category on your driving licence, you may surrender that category. You will need to complete what is known as a waiver form.
Getting a category back
You do not lose your category indefinitely. When renewing your driving licence, the category can be reapplied to your licence. This does require you to complete a Health Declaration Form.