Driver's license

You need a driver's license to drive a moped, car, truck, tractor, or other motor vehicle.

How long is my driver's license valid?

The validity of your Class B driver's license (passenger car) depends on your age.

• Are you younger than 65? Then your driver's license is valid for 10 years.
• Are you between 65 and 70 years old? Then your driver's license is valid until your 75th birthday.
• Are you between 70 and 75 years old? Then your driver's license is valid for 5 years.
• Are you over 75 years of age? Then your driver's license is valid for a maximum of 5 years.
• Driver's license C (truck) and driver's license D (bus) are valid for a maximum of 5 years.

When do I need a Health Declaration?

With a Health Declaration, the CBR assesses whether you are mentally and physically capable of driving. This is important for road safety.

You will need a Health Declaration in the following situations:

• You are applying for a practical exam for the first time or you want to extend the category of your driver's license.
• You want to obtain or renew your C and/or D driver's license.
• You have a medical condition.
• Your driver's license has been confiscated.
• You are 75 years of age or older.

When do I need a medical examination?

You must undergo a medical examination before applying for a driver's license in the following situations:

• You have a medical condition.
• You are 75 years of age or older and your driver's license is expiring.
• You need a driver's license for trucks or buses.

Start your medical examination well before your driver's license expires.
If you don't start on time, your driver's license may expire before you have been examined. You will then be (temporarily) prohibited from driving.

To apply for your driver's license, you must have passed your driving test at the CBR.

Driver's license for young people under 18 years of age

You can obtain your driver's license from the age of 17. Until you turn 18, you must drive under the supervision of a coach who sits next to you. One of your parents can become your coach, for example. You can have a maximum of five coaches. You can arrange this as follows:

• Coaches must register with the Road Transport Agency (RDW).
• After the coaches have registered, request a supervisor pass.
• Once you have received your escort pass, you can apply for your driver's license at the municipality.

Health declaration

The CBR uses the Health Declaration to assess whether you are mentally and physically capable of driving. This is important for road safety. You can complete this Health Declaration online at the CBR website. You can also request the form from your local municipality. You will need a Health Declaration in the following situations:

• You are applying for a practical exam for the first time or you want to extend the category of your driver's license.
• You want to obtain or renew your C and/or D driver's license.
• You have a medical condition.
• Your driver's license has been confiscated.
• You are 75 years of age or older.

Medical examination

You must undergo a medical examination before applying for a driver's license if you:

• have a medical condition
• are 75 years of age or older and your driver's license is expiring
• need a driver's license for trucks or buses

Lost or stolen driver's license

• Have you lost your driver's license or has it been stolen?
• First report this online to the RDW(Dutch Vehicle Authority) . You will need a DigiD to do this. If you do not have a DigiD, report the loss to your local municipality.
• Then apply for a new driver's license at the municipality. Bring a color passport photo and valid identification.

• A good-quality passport photo that is no older than 6 months at the time of application. This passport photo must meet the passport photo requirements.
• Cash or a debit card. You pay immediately upon application.
• When applying for your first driver's license: a valid passport or a valid identity card.
• When renewing your driver's license: the driver's license you already have. If this is no longer valid, please also bring a valid passport or valid identity card.

Pick up driver's license

You must collect your driver's license in person from the municipality. Bring your old driver's license with you.

• You can collect your driver's license from the municipality after about a week.
• If you have submitted an urgent application before 2 p.m., you can collect your driver's license the next working day.

Driver's licenses have a new chip. With this chip, you can log in to DigiD. If you want a new driver's license without this chip, you must send a letter to the RDW. Do this 5 days before you renew your driver's license. For more information, visit the RDW website at.

Beginner's driver's license

Everyone who obtains their first driver's license is a beginner. It doesn't matter how old you are. Or what type of vehicle the license applies to. How long you are a novice driver depends on your age.

• If you are 18 years of age or older, you are a novice driver for 5 years.
• 17-year-olds are novice drivers for 7 years.

Novice drivers receive a novice driver's license. This is a regular driver's license, but with a penalty point system for serious traffic violations. For more information, visit the US government website.

Military driver's license

A Dutch military driver's license is not valid outside the military organization. However, you can exchange your military driver's license for a normal driver's license at your local municipality. You must do this within three years of the military driver's license being issued.

Foreign driver's license

With a valid foreign driver's license, you may drive in the Netherlands for a certain period of time. This depends on the country where your driver's license was issued. For more information, visit theRDW website at.

In some cases, you can exchange your foreign driver's license for a Dutch driver's license. Check theconditions of the RDW(Dutch Vehicle Authority).

Code 95

• Code 95 must be on your driver's license if you want to drive a bus or truck for work.
• This code demonstrates that you are suitable for the job.
• Have you passed the exams and tests? Then apply for a new driver's license at the municipality.
• The code 95 will appear on your new driver's license after category C and/or D.
• Were you born before July 1, 1955?If so, new rules will apply to you as of December 1, 2020.
• More information about code 95 can be found at theCBR.