Applying to collect a driving licence in the Netherlands

• If you are applying for your first driving licence: a valid passport or identity card.
• Your current driving licence. If it is no longer valid, you must also bring a valid passport or identity card.
• A colour passport photo that meets the passport photo requirements for the Netherlands.
• Method of payment. You pay the fee at the time of application.

Health certificate

In some cases, you must first apply for a gezondheidsverklaring / Verklaring van Geschiktheid – VvG (health certificate / Certificate of Fitness) from the Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen – CBR (Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing). You must do so if:

• you have a medically diagnosed disability;
• you are 75 years of age or older and your driving licence is expiring;
• you need a driving licence for a lorry or bus (category C and/or D).

Driving licence for young people under the age of 18

• If you are under the age of 18, you may drive only under the supervision of someone who holds a begeleiderspas (instructor’s permit).
• You can register at least 1 and a maximum of 5 instructors.
• First, the instructor registers via the Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer – RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) website. Then you apply for the instructor’s permit. You can do this digitally on the website of the RDW.
• Once the instructors have received their instructor’s permit, you apply for the driving licence from the municipality.

You apply for your driving licence in person at the municipality where you live and are registered. You must make an appointment to do this.

In some cases you can also apply for your driving licence online. You will then be able to collect the new driving licence from the service desk after just 2 working days. You submit the application via the RDW website. Visit the RDW website to find out how to apply for a driving licence online (in Dutch).

You pay a fee for this service. For more information, contact the municipality.

After around a week, you can collect your driving licence from the municipality in person.

Do you need it sooner than that?

If you need your driving licence urgently, you can make an urgent request. If you apply for the driving licence before 14:00, you will be able to collect it within 2 working days. You have to pay an extra fee for an urgent request.

How long are driving licences valid?

• Under 65 years of age: valid for 10 years.
• Between 65 and 70 years of age: valid until your 75th birthday.
• Between 70 and 75 years of age: valid for 5 years.
• Over 75 years of age: valid for a maximum of 5 years.