Applying for a pilot licence

You need a pilot licence for some drones or other unmanned aircraft, such as a model plane. You can apply for a pilot licence here. Your pilot licence is valid for 5 years after the exam date of the highest obtained category.

Only required for weights over 250 grams!
You are only required to apply for a pilot licence if your drone or other unmanned aircraft weighs 250 grams or more. No pilot licence is required for lighter drones.

Conditions for pilot licence applications

You have passed your online exam with a recognised Dutch flight school.
You are registered in the . Do you live abroad? This requirement does not apply. You are still required to pass an exam with a recognised Dutch flight school.

How to apply for a pilot licence

We process pilot licence applications for subcategory A1/A3, subcategory A2 and STS (standard scenarios). For more information, please visit the central government’s website.

You will receive an email from the flight school after passing your online exam. The email contains a unique link that allows you to sign in with DigiD and apply for your pilot licence.

No DigiD?
If you don’t have DigiD, please visit an RDW inspection station or desk in Veendam of Zoetermeer. Bring the email from the flight school and a valid ID.

Applying from abroad
Are you applying for your pilot licence from abroad? You are still required to have passed the exam with a recognised Dutch flight school. Your flight school will inform us and apply for the pilot licence on your behalf. Continue at step 4.
You can only apply for a pilot licence for category A2 or STS if you already have an A1/A3 pilot licence. Include the A1/A3 pilot licence in your application if it was obtained abroad.
You will receive the pilot licence by email after your iDeal payment is made. The pilot licence is valid for 5 years after the passing date of the online exam. There are various types of pilot licences.
Verify the details on the pilot licence. If any of the details are inaccurate, please send us an email.
Keep the pilot licence in a safe place. You need to carry this pilot licence during your flight (printed, on your mobile device or in the app).
Under the age of 16? You may only fly if accompanied by someone over the age of 16 who holds a pilot licence.
Check whether the insurance requirement applies to you.
Are you the owner of a drone? You will usually need an operator number as well. Please check Applying for an operator number.

Keep in mind that no refunds are issued

Your payment is to have your application processed. Once a payment is made, it is not possible to get a refund. Not even if you have made a mistake.

Applying for a pilot licence
Description	Cost
Pilot licence application	€10,00

Category	Pilot licence name	Valid in
A1/A3	Theory exam certificate	European Union
A2	Certificate of competence	European Union
STS	STS Certificate of theoretical knowledge for STS European Union	European Union

There are currently two pilot licence models: a pilot licence with and without a QR code. Both models are valid.

Pilot licence with QR code

Since 29 November 2021, we issue pilot licences with a QR code. This model is written in both Dutch and English. Scanning the QR code will take you to an internet page containing all the details on the pilot licence. The QR code is easy to scan with a QR scanning app or the camera on any mobile device.

appearance pilot licence with QR-code

Explanation of figures:

European Union Aviation Safety Agency logo: EASA
Issuing country: NL (Netherlands)
Registering authority logo: RDW
Category/categories that the pilot licence applies to: 'A1/A3' or ' A1/A3 and A2', or A1/A3 and STS.
Legal name on the pilot licence
Details of the pilot (first name in full, middle names in initials only), document number and expiration date
QR code referring to a web page with the details of the pilot licence

Pilot licence without QR code

Until 29 November 2021, we issued pilot licences without a QR code. This document is drafted in the Dutch language and looks as follows:

Pilot licence without QR code

Explanation of figures:

European Union Aviation Safety Agency logo: EASA
Issuing country: Netherlands
Registering authority logo: RDW
Category/categories that the pilot licence applies to: A1/A3 or A2 and A1/A3.
Legal name on the pilot licence
Details of the pilot, document number and expiration date

Applying for a pilot licence

Conditions for pilot licence applications

How to apply for a pilot licence

Keep in mind that no refunds are issued

Pilot licence with QR code

Explanation of figures:

Pilot licence without QR code

Explanation of figures:

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Applying for a pilot licence

Conditions for pilot licence applications

How to apply for a pilot licence

Fees

Types of pilot licences

This is what the pilot licence looks like

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