Who can exchange without exams?
- Licences from EU and EEA countries and Switzerland.
- Licences from the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland and Gibraltar), Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Monaco — all categories.
- Licences from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, Singapore, Andorra and the Canadian provinces Alberta and Québec — usually only for the car (category B) or specific classes.
- Licences from Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands.
- People with a 30% ruling decision from the Dutch Tax Administration — with a licence from any country — and the family members who live with them.
Who cannot exchange?
Licences from most other countries — for example Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Turkey, Morocco, India, China, Russia, Ukraine (outside the temporary protection rules) and the United States — cannot be exchanged. Holders must pass the Dutch theory and practical exams.
An international driving permit is only a translation. It cannot be exchanged for a Dutch licence.
Conditions
- Your licence must be valid (an expired EU/EEA licence can still be exchanged).
- In the year your licence was issued, you lived at least 185 days in the country that issued it.
- You are registered at your municipality (BRP) in the Netherlands.
- For a non-EU licence: an approved health declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring) from CBR.
Documents you need
- Your original foreign driving licence (it is taken in and returned to the issuing country).
- A valid passport or residence card.
- One recent colour passport photo.
- Proof that you lived 185 days in the issuing country in the year of issue.
- Your 30% ruling decision, if you exchange on that basis.
- A sworn translation if your licence is not written in Latin letters (ask your municipality).
Steps and costs
- Fill in and pay the health declaration via Mijn CBR (with DigiD): €46.90 in 2026. CBR can take several weeks — up to 4 months if a medical check is needed — so start early. The decision stays valid for 1 year.
- Make an appointment at your municipality and hand in your application: maximum €53.65 in 2026.
- RDW checks your application. This usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
- Collect your Dutch licence at the municipality. It is normally valid for 10 years.
Important
Even while your exchange is being processed, you may not drive on a non-EU licence after your first 185 days in the Netherlands. Start the health declaration on the day you register.