DUTCH DRIVING LICENSE

THE DUTCH DRIVING LICENSE

Life can be hectic. Are you rushing between appointments and needing to get your children to school on time? Then you may not be able to use public transportation and have to drive. This usually requires a driver's license! This page explains how to apply for a Dutch driver's license. Under certain conditions, you can use your foreign driver's license in the Netherlands or simply exchange it for a Dutch one. Read on to find out which rules apply to you.

RESIDENCE IN THE NL
As a general rule, you need a Dutch driving license if you live in the Netherlands and want to drive a motor vehicle here. You are considered a resident of the Netherlands if you stay in the Netherlands for at least 185 days per calendar year.

Before you hit the Dutch roads, there's one more thing you should consider. Our article answers the question: Should you keep your car?

A FOREIGN DRIVING LICENSE IN THE NL
If you hold a driver's license from one of the countries listed below, you can drive in the Netherlands for ten years. If your driver's license is valid for less than ten years, you can use it in the Netherlands until it expires.

NATIONS AND DRIVING LICENSE VALIDATION
The following countries are eligible: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, (Greek part of) Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland).

If you have a driving license from another country, you can drive for six months.

ISSUE DATE
If you hold a driving license issued in one of the countries listed above before January 19, 2013, you can use your foreign driving license in the Netherlands.
As already mentioned, this is valid for ten years after issue.
If it expires earlier, you can use it until its expiration date.
The issuing authorities in your country of origin can then issue you with a declaration that there are no objections to the exchange for a Dutch driving license.
If you can present this declaration, you can exchange your foreign driving license for a Dutch one.
TEMPORARY USE OF A FOREIGN DRIVING LICENSE IN THE NETHERLANDS
There are a few other situations in which you can temporarily use your foreign driver's license in the Netherlands. This is legal if:

You are registered with a Dutch municipality and your driving license is more than nine years old. You can use your driving license in the Netherlands for two years after registration.
Your driving license was issued after January 19, 2013. In this case, you can use it in the Netherlands for 15 years, provided it is still valid. After this period, you must exchange it for a Dutch driving license. You can also exchange it immediately if you wish.
You hold a driving license issued in a country not listed above. You may only use this license in the Netherlands for six months. This six-month period begins on the date you register with your local municipality. During this time, you must take a driving test in the Netherlands to obtain a Dutch driving license.
Tip

LEGAL DRIVING AGE IN THE NL
You must be at least 18 years old to drive in the Netherlands. However, there is one exception:

17-year-olds who already have a driver’s license may drive if accompanied by an adult.
The adult must be officially registered as an accompanying person (in Dutch “Begeleider”).
Along with the Dutch driving license, the young driver receives a special driving license, the so-called "Begeleiderspas." The "Begeleiderspas" is the "accompanying document" and contains the names of the young driver's authorized companions.
Both the 17-year-old driver and his or her accompanying person must carry both documents on every journey.
DRIVING LICENSE TEST
In the Netherlands, many different types of driving licenses from different countries are submitted for exchange. Therefore, the validity and authenticity of each document must be verified. How might this affect you?

The traffic authority may request verification of the validity and relevance of certain information. The consulate or embassy of the country that issued the foreign driver's license will be responsible for conducting these assessments.
You may be required to have the contents of your foreign driver's license translated by a licensed interpreter/translator. This is mandatory for Japanese, Taiwanese, and Chinese driver's licenses.
EXCHANGE OF A FOREIGN DRIVING LICENSE
There are several circumstances under which you can easily exchange your foreign driving license for a Dutch one:

They had a Dutch driving license that was valid after June.