Driving licence validity
Normally speaking, a driving licence is valid for ten years. This applies to the driving licences for motorcycle, moped, passenger car with or without trailer and the tractor. The ‘bigger’ driving licences, for the lorry and auto bus, are only valid for 5 years.
In some cases, there is a reason to shorten the validity period. This can be the case when you have a medical condition such as diabetes. But also, when you reach a certain age, the validity period gets shorter.
This is done because a condition can worsen which could negatively affect the ability to drive. Also as you get older, your driving ability often deteriorates a bit. To ensure that the CBR can better monitor whether you are still fit to drive, you must then renew your driving licence more often. Sometimes a medical check is also necessary for a renewal.
- Health declaration
A questionnaire in which you explain you mental and physical state to the CBR. The CBR determines whether you are fit to drive based on this statement, or whether further investigation into your fitness to drive is needed.
Medical condition
Do you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, which is known before you get your driving licence? Then you must indicate this condition on the health declaration which you have to submit before your practical exam. You can do this on the CBR website.
Validity period from the age of 65 years
The validity period slowly becomes shorter from the age of 65 years. For example, when renewed between your 65th and 70th birthday, it is valid until your 75th year of life. If you renew at 65 years, then you driving licence is valid for another ten years. Do you renew your licence at 69 years, then you driving licence is valid for only six years. From the age of 70, the driving licence is renewed for a maximum of five years. From the age of 75, in addition, you will also have to undergo a medical examination at every renewal.
| Maximum validity period | |
|---|---|
| Younger than 65 years | Valid for 10 years |
| Between 65 and 70 years | Until you turn 75, valid between 5 to 10 years |
| Between 70 and 75 years | Valid for 5 years |
| Over 75 years | Valid for 5 years, mandatory examination |
Loss of validity
A driving licence loses its validity automatically in the following cases:
- A replacement driving licence is issued, or your driving licence has been reported as missing or stolen. Your old driving licence is therefore no longer valid, even after retrieval.
- If you have been disqualified from driving (certain, or all) motor carriages.
- When changes have been made to your driving licence.
- If your entire driving licence or your driving licence for certain categories have been invalidated.
- If important information of you has changed, such as your surname, your first name(s), the place or date of birth or your gender.
Invalidation of the driving licence
With certain violations or offences the driving licence will be declared invalid. This happens in the following cases:
- If you have been convicted twice in five years for driving under the influence of alcohol where the blood alcohol level is more than 1.3 per mille. This is equivalent to 570 μg/l of exhaled air.
- If you have been convicted twice in five years for driving under the influence of drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol.
- If you refuse to cooperate with the alcohol check (breathalyser or blood test).
- Points driving licence
Within the Netherlands there is a points driving licence. This applies to both new drivers as experienced drivers. You receive a point on your driving licence when you are convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol. If you have been convicted for a second time with an alcohol level higher than 1.3 per mille, you will receive a second point and your driving licence will be declared invalid. In that case you must redo your practical exam.