Exchanging a foreign driving licence for a Dutch driving licence in the Netherlands

You will always need the following:

• debit card or cash;
• your foreign driving licence;
• 1 colour passport photo  that meets the passport photo requirements;
• a valid identity document or a valid  residence permit for the Netherlands.

You will need the following in some cases:

• A translation of your driving licence. This is required only if your foreign driving licence is drawn up in characters that are not used in the Netherlands (for example Japanese or Greek). The translation must be produced by an embassy, consulate or a sworn translator. .
• A copy of the letter from the Belastingdienst (Tax and Customs Administration) showing that you, as an expat, fall under the 30%-regeling (30% rule).
• A gezondheidsverklaring (declaration of good health) from the Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheid – CBR (Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing) if you have a category C, D, CE or DE driving licence. You must undergo a medical examination to obtain the declaration. You can find information about the statement and the examination on the CBR website.
• If your driving licence has expired: a statement of no-objection from the authority that issued the driving licence.

Book an appointment by calling +31 24 329 90 00.

The fee for exchanging a driving licence is € 51,10.

You must pay that fee at the time of application.

It takes 2 to 4 weeks for the licences to be exchanged. You will receive a letter from the Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer – RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) when you can collect your driving licence. Book an appointment to collect your driving licence in person: call +31 24 329 90 00. You have 3 months to do this after you have received the letter from the RDW. After that time, the driving licence will be destroyed.