By car

Using a foreign driving licence
Obtaining a Dutch driving license
Road signs and traffic regulations
Further information

Using a foreign driving licence

Your driving license is valid in the Netherlands for a certain amount of time. This depends on the country of issue of your license.

• Issued in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland:
  Valid for use in the Netherlands until 10 years after the date of issue. If your driving license was issued longer than 9 years ago you have a year to obtain a Dutch driving license. During this period you can still use your foreign driving license.
• Issued in another country:
  Valid for use in the Netherlands for 185 days after you have made residence in the Netherlands. Please note that during these 185 days you may be requested to show an international driving license on demand. Your embassy can give you more information about the specific cases in which an international driving license is required.

Obtaining a Dutch driving license

If you wish to obtain a Dutch driving license, there are three possibilities:

1. Your driving license can be exchanged for a Dutch driving license through a formal application on the basis of the country where your license has been issued
2. Your driving license can be exchanged for a Dutch driving license through a formal application on the basis of the application of the 30% tax rule
3. You will need to pass a Dutch driving exam test

1. Exchanging your license on the basis of the country where your license has been issued

Valid driving licenses issued in certain countries can be exchanged for a Dutch driving license simply by applying for a Dutch driving license at your local municipality. This is only possible after you have registered yourself with your local municipality. This applies to the following countries:

Driving licenses issued in the following countries can only be exchanged for a Dutch driving license if they are valid for (one of the) the categories mentioned:

• Andorra: 
  passenger car --> Dutch driving license category B
• Taiwan: 
  B / passenger car --> Dutch driving license category B
• Israel:
  B / passenger car --> Dutch driving license category B
• South Korea: 
  second class ordinary licence --> Dutch driving license category B
• Québec, Canada: 
  Class 5 --> Dutch driving license category B
• Japan:
  IB / passenger car and motorbike over 400 cm3 --> Dutch driving license category A and B
• Singapore:
  Class 2 / motorbike over 400 cm3 and Class 3 / passengercar --> Dutch driving license category A and B

2. Exchanging your license on the basis of the application of the 30% tax rule

Does the 30%-tax rule30% rule apply to you? This will help you when you have to change your foreign driving license for a Dutch driving license. If you can show an original decision from the Tax Office that the 30% rule applies to you, you and your family members can obtain a Dutch driving license through a formal application at your municipality.
(source: article 2 Regeling omwisseling niet-Nederlandse rijbewijzen, juncto article 8 lid 2 sub b Wet op de loonbelasting 1964)

3. Passing a Dutch driving test

In the Netherlands, you can obtain a driving license after passing a theory test and a practical driving test. The normal procedure is to take practical driving lessons with a driving school (in Dutch: rijschool). You can start with these practical driving lessons before you passed your theory test. Once you have passed your theory exam and your driving instructor thinks you are capable of passing the test, he will apply for a driving test appointment for you. During the test, an examiner will assess your driving skills. In Holland, most people do not take it for granted that they will pass the test first time. In fact, it is not uncommon for people to take the test several times before they pass. CBR, the national driver licensing agency, is responsible for organizing and conducting driving tests.

Road signs and traffic regulations

Some Dutch driving rules include:

• Seat belts are mandatory for all ages, both in front and back of the car. Failure to comply can receive a heavy fine.
• For child's seats particular requirements apply. These are are imperative to follow carefully. 
• Minimum age for driving a car is 18. 
• Driving a motor bike also requires a license.
• In Holland the traffic rules are strictly obeyed, including the traffic lights for pedestrians. "Jaywalking", or crossing on foot againt a light signal, can incur a fine. 
• All traffic coming from the right has the right of way (except pedestrians). The only exception is is there are white triangles marked across the road.
• Traffic on the small roundabouts has the right of way unless otherwise indicated.
• You must carry, at all times in your vehicle, an special orange triangle that signals passing motorists if you have a break down.

You can download an extensive overview of road signs and traffic regulations on the website of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the environment.

Further information

Visit the driving licence website of the Dutch government.

Source: Nuffic, CBR