Procedure for Exchanging a Licence
Driving licences issued in other countries may be valid for use in the Netherlands for a limited period, after which they may be exchanged for a Dutch one...
The following process applies to licences of categories A, B and BE. Exchanging heavy duty and commercial licences require a more complex process.
In order to exchange (omwissel) a foreign driving licence against a Dutch one, go to the local municipal office and request (and pay for) a proof of residence document (uittreksel bevolkingsregister). This document serves to confirm a person's identity and address.
Then send the following to the Driving Test Organisation (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen, CBR):
- A request exchange form (Aanvraag omwisseling voor Nederlands rijbewijs) available from the Gemeente
- A health form (Uitgebreide Eigen Verklaring) filled in by the licence holder and their doctor
- The proof of residence document (Uittreksel Bevolkingsregister)
- A stamped, self-addressed envelope
- Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheid
At: Postbus 1910, 2280 DX Rijswijk
Tel: 070 413 0300 - See the CBR Rijbewijs website for more information: Click here
Once processed, a "certificate of fitness" (Verklaring van geschiktheid) will be issued by mail.
The following documents must then be submitted to the municipal office:
- The original, valid foreign driving licence
- The certificate of fitness (Verklaring van geschiktheid)
- Two identical, recent passport photographs
- The exchange form, which has been partly filled in by the licence holder and partly by a civil servant from the municipal office (Aanvraag omwisseling voor Nederlands rijbewijs)
- If benefiting from the 30 percent-ruling (see below) a copy of a statement issued by the Tax Office, providing proof of this
As soon as the municipal fees have been paid, the municipal office will send the entire application to the RDW for evaluation. If the application is granted, the Dutch driving licence will be sent by normal mail within two to three weeks.
Since the original foreign driving licence will be sent to the RDW the person applying is advised to take a photocopy of their original driving licence, together with the request for a Dutch one, otherwise they will be left without any document.
Return of the original driving licence
EU citizens will forfeit their original licence when exchanging it for a Dutch one, unless they are receiving the 30 percent ruling. Non-European Union nationals benefiting from the 30 percent ruling will have their original licence sent to their address in the Netherlands.
Non-EU citizens who are not receiving the 30 percent ruling cannot apply to exchange their driving licence for a Dutch one and are advised to obtain a Dutch driving licence.
Further Information
- The Dutch Department of Road Transport (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer or RDW)
At: Skager Rak 10, P.O. Box 30.000, 9640 RA Veendam
Tel: 0900 0739
- P.O. Box 51 Infolijn
An information line for general information and applications for leaflets related to the Dutch driving licence and the moped certificate.
Tel: 0800 8051
Open: 09:00-21:00 weekdays - Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen, CBR
- BNOR (Bureau Nader Onderzoek Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen)
At: Lange Kleiweg 30, P.O. Box 3206, 2280 GE Rijswijk
Tel: 070 413 0300