Netherlands Worldwide

Renewing your Dutch driving licence in the United States

If you live in the United States and your Dutch driving licence has expired (or has almost expired), you can renew it. You can also exchange it for a driving licence from the state where you live.

Renewing your driving licence

You can renew your driving licence through the RDW (the Netherlands Vehicle Authority) if you meet the following requirements:

  • You a Dutch national or a national of another EU/EFTA country.
  • You live outside the EU or the EFTA. Or you live in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
  • You not a registered resident in the Netherlands.

Then you can renew your Dutch driving licence through the RDW. Even if your driving licence has expired. You must have a correspondence address in the Netherlands in order to receive the application form and your driving licence. The RDW does not send mail to and address abroad.

Attention: Do you have a valid foreign driving licence in addition to your Dutch driving licence? Then it is not necessary to renew your Dutch driving licence. If you are visiting the Netherlands, you may drive with your valid foreign driving licence. Are you living in the Netherlands again? Then you can exchange your foreign driving licence back for a Dutch driving licence.

Follow the steps to renew your driving licence:

Step 1: Request an application form

You can request an application form online for renewing your driving licence. Read how to do this on the RDW's website.

Step 2: Collect the right documents

You will need the following original documents:

  • your Dutch driving licence
  • a photocopy of your valid travel document, e.g. a passport or identity card 
  • a completed and signed application form
  • 1 colour passport photo that meets Dutch passport photo requirements and is less than 6 months old. 

In the following situations you will need to supply additional documents. Click on the situation(s) that applies (apply) to you for more information.

Step 3: Submit your documents

Send all the documents needed for your application to the RDW: 

RDW, Unit Rijbewijzen
Postbus 9000
9640 HA Veendam
Nederland

Step 4: Pay the fee

Pay the fee for your application for a new driving licence. Scroll to ‘Kosten’ on the RDW's website to find out what the fee is and how to pay it. 

After your payment has been assessed, the RDW will process your application within 10 working days.

Does RDW approve your application? Then it will take 5 working days before you receive your new driving licence at your correspondence address in the Netherlands.

If your application is rejected you will receive a letter explaining why.

Applying for a driving licence in the United States 

If you wish to apply for a driving licence in the United States, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Motor Vehicle Administration in the state where you live. Select the state where you live on the United States government website to locate the Department of Motor Vehicles nearest to you.

You can exchange your Dutch driving licence immediately, but you may be required to do additional tests, e.g. eyesight test. This varies from state to state. 

What do I need?

If you want to apply for a driving licence from your state you may need a translation of your Dutch driving licence. You can find a translator through the American Translators Association. The Dutch embassy and consulates-general in the US cannot provide you with a translation. Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Motor Vehicle Administration in the state where you live to find out what requirements the translation must meet.

Visit the United States government website for information on the other documents you will need if you wish to apply for a driving licence in the United States.

Attention: Driving licences issued in the United States may be valid for longer or shorter than a Dutch driving licence.