Exchanging a foreign driving licence
In certain cases, the driving licence that you obtained outside the Netherlands can be exchanged for a Dutch driving licence. However this is only possible if you are resident in the Netherlands and you have a valid residence permit.
Valid driving licences issued in the following countries can be exchanged:
Austria, Aruba, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Dutch Antilles, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jersey (States of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Isle of Man, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovenia, Slovakia, The Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland
Driving licences issued in the following countries can only be exchanged for the specific categories:
Taiwan - B - passenger car - Dutch driver's license category B
Israel - B - passenger car - Dutch driver's license category B
Japan IB - passenger car en motorcycle with more than 400 cm³ - Dutch driver's license categories A and B
Singapore - Class 2 - motorcycle with more than 400 cm³ and Class 3 - passenger car - Dutch driver's license categories A and B
Andorra - passenger car - Dutch driver's license category B
South-Korea - second class ordinary licence - Dutch driver's license category B
Canadian province Quebec – Class 5 – Dutch driver's license category B
Other countries
Are you from another country than the ones mentioned above, than you may continue to use your license for a maximum of 185 days after making residence in the Netherlands, after which you must pass the regular CBR theory and driving tests.
Please tell us how we can be of assistance.
For any further questions, help on this subject, please contact us.
Use the online form, regular email or call us at: 020 6444 302
International driving licences
International driving licences are only legalised translations of a national driving licence. It is not possible to exchange an international driving licence for a Dutch driving licence. One condition that applies to exchanging a driving licence issued outside the Netherlands is that the driving licence must be valid at the time you make the application.
A driving licence issued in a not EU/EES country must also have been issued in a particular year in which the applicant was resident in the country of issue for at least 185 days.
If your driving licence cannot be exchanged, you must take a regular theory and practical test at the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (CBR).