Exchanging foreign driving licences

Under certain circumstances, it is possible to exchange a foreign driving licence for a Dutch driving licence. If this is not possible, you will have to redo the course to get your driving licence again.

Driving licences given out by EU-countries, EEA-countries or Switzerland

Is your driving licence given out by one of the countries within the EU, EEA (European Economic Area) or Switzerland? Then you can exchange your driving licence to a Dutch driving licence without any problems. Sometimes you will have to fill in a health declaration. The countries from where you can exchange the licences to Dutch licences are:

  • Austria;
  • Belgium;
  • Bulgaria;
  • Czech Republic;
  • Croatia;
  • Cyprus;
  • Denmark;
  • Estonia;
  • Finland;
  • France;
  • Germany;
  • Greece;
  • Hungary;
  • Iceland;
  • Ireland;
  • Italy;
  • Latvia;
  • Liechtenstein;
  • Lithuania;
  • Luxembourg;
  • Malta;
  • Norway;
  • Poland;
  • Portugal;
  • Romania;
  • Slovakia;
  • Slovenia;
  • Spain;
  • Sweden.

You can find more information about exchanging a foreign driving licence on the website from the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW).

Driving licences given out by special countries

The Netherlands has come to an agreement with some countries where, under certain circumstances, you can (partly) exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dutch driving licence. These are:

  • Andorra;
  • Aruba;
  • Bonaire;
  • Canadian province Alberta;
  • Canadian province Quebec;
  • Curacao;
  • Gibraltar;
  • Great Britain;
  • Guernsey;
  • Israel;
  • Japan;
  • Jersey;
  • Man;
  • Monaco;
  • Northern Ireland;
  • Saba;
  • Singapore;
  • St. Eustatius;
  • St. Maarten;
  • Taiwan;
  • South Korea.

You can find more information about the driving licences given out by these countries on the website from the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW).

Driving licences given out by other countries

If you do have a driving licence, but is not given out by one of the EU-countries, EER-countries, Switzerland or one of the special countries and have you moved to the Netherlands? Then you are allowed to use your foreign driving licence for 185. After those 185 days you need a Dutch driving licence. You therefore need to retake the driving exam.

As a tourist in the Netherlands

When you are not going to live in the Netherlands then you are allowed to use your foreign driving licence. If your foreign driving licence doesn’t meet the same driving licence categories as a Dutch driving licence, then it is advisable to take an international driving licence to the Netherlands.