You can continue to use your foreign driving licence for a while after arriving in the Netherlands. The length of time this applies depends on the country where the licence was issued. After that, you will need a Dutch driving licence. The rules for exchanging a foreign driving licence vary from country to country. If your driving licence cannot be exchanged, you will need to take a driving test. You can find all the information on the RDW website.
Book an appointment online to exchange your foreign driving licence. Please bring the following to your appointment:
- your foreign driving licence
- Do you have a driving licence containing characters that are not used in the Netherlands, such as Japanese or Greek characters? If so, please have the driving licence translated by a sworn interpreter or translator.
- a valid passport, ID card or residence permit
- a passport photo that meets the requirements
take a look at the CBR website whether you need a medical certificate You cannot submit an urgent application to exchange a foreign driving licence.
You will receive an email when your driving licence is ready. It may take 2 to 4 weeks to exchange your driving licence. You can collect it in person without an appointment during opening hours.