Whether you’ll need a Dutch driving license depends on whether you’re planning to become a resident, and which country you hold your existing license in. For more information see the Dutch government’s websites at Applications for a Dutch driver’s license must be initiated at the Gemeentehuis (city hall) in one’s place of residence.This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Netherlands.
See below for more specific details.There are different lengths of validity in the Netherlands for driving licences issued to citizens of the EU/EEA or for citizens from outside Europe.If you are an EU/EEA citizen and your licence was issued before January 19, 2013, then you can drive on that licence for 10 years after it was issued.If your licence is already over nine years old, you may continue to drive with it for another two years, from the date of your For EU/EEA licences issued after January 19, 2013, holders can drive with them for up to 15 years, as long as the licence is valid.Once the validity of the original licence ends, the holder will need to apply for a Dutch driving licence.For citizens of all countries outside the EU/EEA (including the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba), licences are valid for six months from the date you register at your local municipality. This may not be enforced very strictly though but it is a legal requirement. It is also possible to take a course online and there are several websites that offer courses.To arrange an appointment for your theory exam, log in at You will receive your confirmation by email.
Again, you can simply renew the licence at your municipality.For expats living in the Netherlands, it’s not possible to renew a foreign or EU/EAA driver’s licence, you will instead need to apply to the RDW for a Dutch driving licence.If your Dutch or EU/EEA driving licence is lost or stolen then you must lodge a police declaration with the municipality where you are registered to receive a new one.
Steve, some EU countries specifically Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain require you to carry what is known as an IDP along with the US (or non-EU countries') driver's license. All you need to do then is go to your municipality (you don’t need to take the letter with you).Your driving licence has expired if one or more of the categories listed on the back of your licence is no longer valid. Before your Dutch licence expires the RDW will send a reminder to your home address. You will, therefore, need to take a theory and practical test (see below). When moving to the Netherlands, there is no requirement for expats from EU or EFTA countries to exchange their driver’s license (rijbewijs).Current laws permit EU citizens to drive using their existing licenses. Or you can study the theory yourself with a theory book, available from (online) bookstores, your driving school and publishers of traffic resources. Driving is on the right side of the road, as in the United States. This can only be done by a DMV.Information regarding the issuance of a Dutch license on the basis of a valid U.S. license may be obtained from the Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen (Dutch Driver’s Licenses Bureau). The test takes 45 minutes and questions are asked concerning hazard recognition (25 questions), traffic rules (30 questions) and understanding of traffic (10 questions). After this, you can apply to exchange your driving licence.If the application is successful, you will receive your new Dutch driving licence a couple weeks later (maximum three weeks). For travel to the United States on a temporary basis, including tourism, temporary employment, study and exchange.For foreign citizens who want to live permanently in the United States.The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating Alerts and Messages for U.S. visitors to Netherlands.U.S. After that, you must get a Dutch driving licence.If you apply for a Dutch driving licence after the six month period then you will need to take the Dutch driving exams. Tourists are allowed to drive in the Netherlands on a valid state license, preferably in combination with an International Driver’s License which may be obtained in the United States through the AAA.The Embassy or Consulate General have no authority to issue, amend or extend any U.S. driver’s licenses.
Other useful sites: The … You must take this test within 18 months after passing your theory test and you need to be at least 17 years old.Documents necessary for the practical exam include:If you are especially anxious about taking exams, it is possible to request a If successful, you will immediately receive both a certificate of competence (Just like most EU driving licences, a Dutch driving licence is valid for 10 years from the date of issue and should be renewed before it expires. If you need to change the date, you can do so via Mijn CBR.Before you can take your practical examination, you will need to purchase and fill in an The practical examination takes 55 minutes at one of the The exam can be conducted in any language, and your driving school should be able to help you if you need an interpreter. Please check here (Dutch only) for more information. Please note that this procedure is far more complex for heavy duty and commercial licences.You can also exchange your driving licence for a Dutch one if you are eligible for the Internationals who are unable to exchange their foreign driving licence for a Dutch one will have to take a driving test at the CBR, with both theoretical and practical sections.Also, if you are learning to drive a car for the first time then you can both take driving lessons and do the exams in the Netherlands.The process for learning to drive and applying for a licence is as follows:Driving theory tests are administrated in Dutch and English (which is slightly more expensive) at 20 You can take a course in the theory at a driving school, although this is not mandatory.