Applying to collect a driving licence in the Netherlands
Have you passed your practical driving test? You can then collect your driving licence at your municipality. You are not allowed to drive a vehicle until you have collected your driving licence.
In the Netherlands the minimum age to sit a practical driving exam for a car is 17 years. Those who pass are only allowed to drive with a coach (supervisor), until they are 18. If you want to apply for a driving licence as a 17-year old, you must first apply for a begeleiderspas (accompanied driving permit) (in Dutch). You can then select up to 5 supervisors who can register to accompany you while driving. The names of the supervisors you have chosen will be on the accompanied driving permit. These supervisors accompany you while you are driving until your 18th birthday.
This is how it works for you
Here is some information from your municipality.
Applying for a driving licence
Has your current driving licence (almost) expired? Then apply online for a new one within the municipality where you live. These days, applications can be made faster via the RDW; you only need to come to the Stadswinkel to collect the driving licence. Your new driving licence will be ready after just 2 working days.
Please note: you can only apply for a driving licence if you live in the Netherlands and are registered with a municipality.
- You are registered in Helmond;
- The application is for a driving licence renewal or category extension;
- You have a valid passport, driving licence or identity card with a chip. All passports and identity cards contain a chip. Driving licences issued after 14 November 2014 contain a chip;
- You have an activated DigiD app with a one-time identity check. For this, you need an Android smartphone with NFC reader (Android version 4.4 or higher) or an iPhone (model 7 or higher with IOS 13);
- Depending on your age, health and driving licence category(ies), you may need a Health Declaration. Check the cbr.nl website for this. You do not need to bring the Health Declaration with you to your appointment, the CBR sends this directly to us.
Have you just passed your driving test?
For a first application, you do need to make an appointment at the Stadswinkel.
Extending a driving licence online via RDW
When renewing your driving licence online via RDW, you can collect it after just 2 working days. To do so, follow the steps below:
- Have a passport photo taken at a photographer recognised by the RDW. The RDW website lists all recognised photographers in the region. For this, choose "Have a driving licence photo taken".
- The photographer sends your passport photo and signature securely and digitally to the RDW. Within minutes, you will receive an e-mail from the RDW stating whether your driving licence application has been approved.
- You then do an identity check on your smartphone with the DigiD app. Do you not yet have this? Download the app here.
- After you have completed the one-off identity check on your mobile phone, you can renew your driving licence online.
- You will then receive an e-mail from us when the new driving licence is ready. You can pick it up at the Stadswinkel without an appointment.
How long is the driving licence valid?
A driving licence is valid for 10 years. In some cases (depending on your age and health) a different period of validity applies. A driving licence with category C, C1, D, D1 and/or E is valid for 5 years. Are you older than 65? Then your driving licence is valid for a shorter period. Read more about your driving licence from age 65 on CBR.nl.
The effective date of your new driving licence is the date on which you apply for your licence.
Urgent driving licence application
For an urgent application, you pay €34,10 extra. You pay this at the time of application. Pay by PIN card? Yes, please! For an urgent application, please contact us by telephone on 14 0492 (do not put an area code in front of the number). We will then schedule an appointment with you in the urgent agenda.
If an urgent driving licence is applied for before 2pm, it will be ready for collection the next working day. If the urgent driving licence is applied for after 2 pm, it will be ready for collection after 2 working days.
My driving licence has been lost/stolen. What should I do now?
Has your driving licence been stolen or lost? Then report this when you apply for your new driving licence. You will then receive a statement of loss. In this case, bring a valid passport or ID card as proof of identity.
Registering loss or theft online
From 1 July 2021, you will be able to register a loss or theft of your Dutch driving licence yourself, 24 hours a day. Report loss, theft or misuse of your driving licence online to RDW. After that, the driving licence is immediately invalidated. RDW will send you a written confirmation. To report online, you need a DigiD. More information can be found on the RDW website.
How do I exchange my foreign driving licence for a Dutch driving licence?
Do you have a foreign driving licence and live in the Netherlands? Then, in most cases, you may still temporarily drive in the Netherlands with the foreign driving licence. Afterwards, you need to exchange the driving licence via your municipality. Read here if and how you can exchange the driving licence.
Are you eligible to exchange your foreign driving licence?
Make an appointment to exchange a foreign driving licence.
Can I apply for my driving licence in another way?
Online via the municipality
You can also renew your driving licence online through us, using DigiD. In addition to picking up your driving licence, you will also have to come by once more to provide your passport photo and sign it. Start the application here.
After about 5 working days, you can collect your new driving licence in person at the Stadswinkel. You do not need to make an appointment to collect your driving licence. You have 3 months to collect your driving licence.
Make an appointment at the Stadswinkel
Rather not online? Then you can also make an appointment at the Stadswinkel to apply for your driving licence. You can make an appointment here.
Please note! For a first application, you must make an appointment at the Stadswinkel.
After about 5 working days, your driving licence will be ready at the Stadswinkel. You can pick it up without an appointment.
Rates 2023:
A driving licence costs €48.15 (from 1 July 2023).
A health certificate costs €41.50.
For an urgent application, you pay an additional €34.10 fee.
After about a week, you will collect your driving licence in person from the municipality.
Need it sooner?
If you need your driving licence quickly, you can make an urgent application. If you apply for the licence before 2pm, you can collect it the next working day. You pay extra costs for an urgent application.
How long is the licence valid?
- Younger than 65 years: valid for 10 years.
- Between 65 and 70: valid until your 75th birthday.
- Between 70 and 75 years: valid for 5 years.
- Older than 75 years: valid for a maximum of 5 years.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Helmond