Quick answer
The rule depends on where your licence was issued: EU/EFTA licences and non-EU/EFTA licences follow different validity and exchange rules.
Non-EU licence: you may only be able to drive for a limited period after becoming resident unless your licence can be exchanged.
Expat Scheme: if the Dutch expat scheme applies to you, RDW rules can allow you to exchange a driving licence from any country without taking the normal Dutch driving tests.
Exchange applications: the municipality handles the application and a CBR health declaration may be part of the process.
Who is this guide for?
- You recently moved to the Netherlands and own a car.
- You have a valid driving license from your home country.
- You want to know if you need to retake your driving exams.
How long can you keep driving?
The time limit depends on the issuing country and licence category. For a valid licence issued outside the EU/EFTA, RDW says you can generally use it for the first 185 days after relocating to the Netherlands. EU/EFTA licences follow separate validity rules based on category and issue date.
Can I keep driving or exchange my license?
If the licence was issued before you moved to the Netherlands, RDW generally allows categories AM, A1, A2, A, B and BE for up to 15 years from the issue date while the licence remains valid; categories C and D generally have a 5-year limit. If the EU/EFTA licence was issued while you were already living in the Netherlands, RDW says you may not drive with it here and must exchange it.
RDW states that if the expat scheme applies to you, you can exchange a driving licence from any country, subject to the exchange conditions and required documents.
You can generally drive for the first 185 days after relocating to the Netherlands. After that you need a Dutch licence. If your foreign licence is not exchangeable, you normally need the Dutch theory and practical tests.
The Exchange Process
If RDW's exchange conditions show that your licence is exchangeable, you apply through the municipality where you are registered:
- Health Declaration: Complete the CBR Health Declaration when required. RDW requires it for licences from outside the EU/EFTA and in some EU/EFTA cases.
- Town Hall Appointment: Make an appointment with your local municipality.
- Bring the route-specific documents: You must hand in your foreign licence. If you are using the Expat Scheme route with a licence from outside the EU/EFTA, RDW also requires a valid Decision on the Evidence Rule from the Dutch Tax Authority. Other exchange routes use their own RDW document checklist.
During the exchange, you hand in the foreign licence. RDW says driving is your own decision while the underlying licence is still valid, but you may be fined if police stop you and you cannot produce the physical licence. Once the period in which the foreign licence is valid in the Netherlands has expired, you may not drive without a Dutch licence even if the exchange is still being processed.