Cars & Driving

IN THIS SECTION
Introduction
General licence information
30 percent tax ruling
Exchanging your licence
Getting your Dutch licence
How much does it cost?
Road rules
Buying a car
Importing a car
Insuring your car
Selling your car
Registration

Introduction

Every person living in the Netherlands for 12 months or more must have a valid licence (coming from all EU countries and including Andorra, Aruba, Monaco, Netherlands Antilles, Isle of Man, State of Jersey and Switzerland). For these countries, Expats are only allowed to use their foreign (or home country) licence for a period of 10 years from the date of issue. After that time you are required to obtain a Dutch licence. Dutch law states that all licences must be renewed every 10 years.

Expats no longer have to register their foreign licence with local municipalities after a ruling was made by the European Court as unconstitutional. Some official websites may not have updated their information on this change however. The change came into force in July 2003.

Foreign nationals from non-EU countries are not included in the above rule however, the limitation is 185 of continuous stay in the Netherlands before you are required to sit both theory and practical exam to obtain a Dutch licence. 

For further general information a good place to contact is the ANWB. This is the national organisation in the field of traffic and tourism. You can take out an annual membership of ANWB-Road Service, which allows you to call for roadside assistance if your car breaks down on the road. Look in your local directory for all listed shops.

General licence information

EU nationals
If your home country licence is older than this 10 year maximum period or expires during your stay, regardless if it is a lifetime licence), you are able apply for a new licence. However, you must have resided there for a minimum of 185 days continuously before applying for a replacement, or it being valid in Netherlands.

Non-EU nationals
Non-EU nationals who are in the Netherlands for 185 days or more are required to obtain a Dutch licence. You may only use your foreign licence for this maximum period. There are penalties for not doing so. You will be required to sit both theory and practical tests, it is quite a lengthy and expensive process, so it is best to begin ahead. The Accelerated Driving Test has been discontinued.

International licence holders
An international licence is only valid for a maximum period of 12 months and is not exchangeable with a Dutch one. You will be required to go through the Dutch licence process if you will be staying longer than this.

Diplomatic or Consular staff
For those in the Netherlands on Diplomatic or Consular appointments, different regulations apply. This also extends to members of the family. If you are covered by this diplomatic rule, you do not need to apply for a Dutch licence. Persons employed by international organisations and their families are also included in this ruling, it is unclear whether this only extends to those in residing and working in The Hague.

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30 percent tax ruling

If you are entitled to benefit from the 30 percent tax ruling, you and the other member(s) of your family can simply exchange your licence, no matter where you are from. To obtain this ruling, you must make a request to the tax office with the appropriate paperwork from your organisation. Generally, this has to be done within the first four months of taking up your position.

To establish whether you are eligible for this ruling, discuss with your employer or HR department.

Exchanging your licence with 30% tax ruling

There is a substantial amount of paperwork and footwork in order to do this simple exchange. Perversely, this would be the most straight forward way to get your Dutch licence.

  • Proof of identity €20,00 (Uittreksel bevolkingsregister), valid for 3 months from date of issue
  • Health form €15,00 
  • 30% Tax Certificate Must be from the Belastingdienst, which should be requested in writing
  • Exchange form €19,00 (Eigen verklaring)
  • DL application form €45,35 (Rijbewijs omwisselen)

Step 1
Purchase a health form (in Dutch) and a Proof of identity certificate from the Stadhuis. If you check any box on the health form "Yes/Ja", then it must be signed by your Doctor. This must be sent along with your Proof of identity form to the CBR office; you will have received an envelope. You will receive your "Certificate of Fitness" in the post (along with the Proof of Identity certificate) within a couple of weeks.
Note: If you checked yes to any of the conditions on the medical form despite your Doctor signing it off, you may receive a letter from the CBR requesting that you see a specialist for further review/approval (at your cost).

Apply to the Belastingdienst for the 30% tax ruling certificate/letter. The Stadhuis does not accept any alternate documentation for this, ie. contract from employer, letter from employer.
Note: The belastingdienst have a blanket policy of not accepting calls, queries or conversations in any other language but Dutch.

Step 2
Your next step is to return to the Stadhuis with:

  • Proof of identity - Valid
  • 30% Regeling - Original certificate from the Belastingdienst confirming your tax status
  • Certificate of Fitness -Received from CBR
  • Two passport photos - Note: They are very specific about the size of the face and background colour: face must centred, facing front, not showing teeth and with a mid grey background. Dimensions: length (crown to chin) 26-30mm, Width 16-20mm. Must not exceed these dimenions.
  • Driver's licence - Valid
  • Verblijfsdocument - NL Identity card

All going well, you should be able to move smoothly to Step 3 at this time, purchasing forms for exchange and driver's licence and completing the process.

Step 3
You will be required to pay for the Driver's licence and the exchange forms at the Stadhuis, they will send your application to the RDW for processing and decision. If approved, you will receive your new Dutch licence in the post. This processing can take up to six weeks but generally within three.
Caution: You will forfeit your foreign licence for the new Dutch one. However, you can request that your original licence be returned to you with the new Dutch one if you are eligible for the 30 percent ruling.

In the meantime, remember to keep a copy of your licence until the processing is complete. However, without your Dutch licence you will not be insured to drive.

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Getting your Dutch license

If you are unlucky enough to not be eligible for an exchange or exclusions, you will have to sit the theory and practical exam. It is an expensive process. Non-EU nationals who are not eligible for the 30 percent ruling, will have to sit the theory and practical exam. Until you receive your Dutch licence (and have passed the 185 day expiry), you are advised not to drive.

Step 1
Call the RDW (0900 0739, calls cost 0,10c/minute) to order your Traffic Manual (latest ed. Sept 2005) and test questions English supplement, the manual is also available in English at a cost of €42,50 (073 551 4726, cost payable to the postman).

Step 2
You will be taking the practical exam with a driving school and have to contact one directly to arrange the practical examination process (see below). From all accounts, the exams are difficult and many Dutch fail it the first time.

Step 3
When you have passed your practical test, call the CBR office to make an appointment for your theory test (0900 227 0227, calls cost 0,10c/minute).

You will be able to take the theory test in English, although it is rumoured that the English theory test will be discontinued in 2006 (CBR have not confirmed this however). If you prefer to take the oral theory test, you will be required to provide a translator as it is offered in Dutch only.

How much does it cost?

After you have purchased your theory text book and are feeling confident you know the rules, you must then find a driving school, they are called "rijsschools". If you search in Goudengids with key word "rijsschool", you will get a listing of all driving schools in the area to take your pick.

You can only sit your Practical exam with a driving school but before you are allowed to take this test, it seems you are required to take lessons. How many you take depends on the instructor. After one lesson, he will decide how many and only then can you sit your practical. During your first lesson, the instructor will assess your driving ability and knowledge of road rules and decide if you need further lessons. You will be expected to pay a car rental cost during the lessons. It is possible just to take the practical exam, but by doing this the examiner might just fail you anyway for a rule that you think is daft but is a Dutch driving rule. They are known to be quite picky. Prices vary between driving schools, so it would be worth calling a few before committing.

Cost of sitting practical test with driving school: (information provided by Avanti Driving School, Rotterdam)
**These prices may vary between schools as the schools set their own fees, independent of the CBR.

  • Individual lessons €29,50/lesson (minimum of one lesson)
  • Lesson packages €25,00/lesson (reduced fee for up to 40 lessons!)
  • Car hire €95,00 (compulsory to use instructor car, cannot use your own personal car)
  • Pre-exam test €50,00 (optional)
  • Practical exam €200,00
  • Extra practical exams €185,00/exam (this is when you have to re-sit)

You can take a "theory course" with the school, this prepares you for your theory exam.

  • Theory course €115,00 (does not include practical or test costs)

To sit your theory exam, you must contact the CBR and make an appointment.

  • Theory test - Dutch €29,80
  • Theory test - English €59,80 = €29,80 + €29,80 (additional test cost as it takes double the time, apparently)
  • English language levy €4,60
  • Practical test €83,15 (unclear what this particular fee is for, given you will pay €200 to driving school)
  • Certificate of pass €NO CHARGE (included in test price, only valid for 6 months from date of issue)

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Then, City Hall to apply for the actual licence: You must take the following with you:

  • Certificate of pass - Issued from CBR
  • Proof of residency - €20,00
  • Valid identification - Such as residency ID card, passport
  • Your current licence - From your home country
  • Two passport photos - Dimensions as per 30% ruling description above
  • Cost of Dutch licence - €45,35

It will take 6-8 weeks for this to process, during this time you are not allowed to drive. Your home country licence at this point is no longer valid and you will be required to hand it in to the city hall at the time of lodgement. You don't get it back. The next time you go back home, you will have to get another one.

Caution: If you plan to hire a car within one year of getting your lovely new Dutch licence, you may have difficulty with some car rental companies. Some have a rule where you must have a minimum of 12 months from the date of your licence in order to hire a car. As your home country licence is no longer valid in Netherlands and you may not have it, they will not accept that as proof of your driving history. They will most likely ask for either your passport or verblifsdocument as additional id. This is not true for all hire companies however.

Road rules in brief

Speed Limits
30kms in a residential area
50kms in built-up areas
80kms on provincial roads
100kms on urban motorway, unless signposted otherwise
120kms on open motorway/autoweg, unless signposted otherwise.
Be sure to check the small circular signs on the side of the road, on the top half will indicate what the speed limit is. Where a number/limit is absent, 120km speed limit is observed.

Speed cameras
Cameras operate on main roads, motorways and traffic lights. Fines can be quite hefty if you are caught.

You will see from time to time signs indicating that you are entering a "control zone". This means that your speed will be calculated between two points, if you travel above the prescribed speed limit (you will get there faster), you will be photographed and ticketed. Cameras operate at the beginning and end of these zones.

Giving way and stopping
You must give way or yield to cars approaching from the right unless they are indicated otherwise. "Give Way" is indicated by a series of triangles on the road at the junction point.
"Stop" is indicated by a row of squares at the junction point.
Also, when you are traveling on a road where you see a large orange diamond outlined in white and posted on a pole, you have the right of way over any traffic from side streets.
Caution: Keep on the lookout when driving along what you would think would be a main road for connecting roads. Most often drivers without Give Way indication, will turn in without so much as checking whether their path is clear. In an accident situation, if they were not instructed to give way, you are in the wrong.

Legal requirements
-The legal driving age is 18 years.
-You are required to wear seatbelts front and back, at all times.
-Stop for funeral processions. More often than not however, men in black suits with top-hats will be walking ahead of the motorcade and indicate to you to stop to let the motorcade pass. The speed limit of this procession is 30kms. Be respectful and patient in these circumstances.
-Children below the age of 12 are forbidden to sit in the front seat unless strapped in a baby seat.
-Children must be travel in an age appropriate seat until the age of 5.
-You must stop for pedestrians on (zebra) or pedestrian crossings.

Miscellaneous
-Running red lights although illegal, seems to be a national past time, so look twice when your light is green to check traffic is clear.
-Someone coming up behind you flashing their lights means "move aside, let me pass!".
-If you are waiting for traffic to clear or to turn and someone flashes in front of you, it means "you go first".
-Keep your licence and car registration papers with you at all times, if someone were to steal your car and the registration papers were inside, this is all the person needs to claim the car as theirs.
-Parking wardens are extremely vigilant and unforgiving, they also like to make their monthly quotas. Keep an eye on your time.

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Buying a car

When you purchase a car either from a dealer or privately, you must transfer the registration into your name (or company name). This can only be done by you, the new owner. You should receive registration papers with the car at the time of purchase. Part I (Deel I) gives the number and description of the car, Part II (Deel II) is the application for transferring the ownership of the car. The final part (Part III), is your copy and should be kept with the other documents as proof you are the legal owner.

If you haven't bought your car through a dealer (where this registration process can be done at the dealer's), you will need to submit the transfer of registration at the post office. Remember to take with you a valid form of identification such as a valid Dutch driver's licence or passport and ID card. Alternatively and if you are here for limited posting, your passport (Diplomatic passports valid also) and residency card. If you take the latter, you will also be required to take a copy (no older than 3 months) of your entry in the poll register. The address in the register must correspond with your current address used in the transfer application.

Non-Dutch military are required to bring passport or military ID card. You must also submit a stationing certificate that is no older than 10 days.

While at the post office, you will be asked what period of road tax you will be paying. Road tax is compulsory. For further information go to www.rdw.nl and view their brochure "Your car and motorcycle and its registration".

Importing a car

If you are importing your car or motorcycle, you are requested to apply to Customs for a permit, regardless of your country of origin. If you do not receive a permit, you have to pay import duties. Once you have successfully imported your car, you have to comply with a number of regulations before using it.

  • The car/motorcycle must have a Dutch vehicle registration number. In order to obtain this, it has to be approved by the Vehicle Technology and information centre, RDW.
  • You will receive a registration certificate within a few weeks. A licence plate can be bought at every RDW acknowledged garrage.
  • You have to pay BPM, which is a national ship tax on motor vehicles. In some situations, an exemption is possible.

Rotterdam Customs
Visitors - Laan op Zuid 45, Rotterdam
Postal - PO Box 50966, 3007BJ, Rotterdam
Phone - (010) 290 4790 or (O10) 290 4802

Insuring your car

You need to take out legally obligatory third party liability insurance with an insurance. Do shop around as even this basic insurance is costly and not set on the value of your car.

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Selling your car

When you sell your car you have certain legal obligations also. You must ensure that the transfer out of your name takes place. Until this time, you are still legally responsible for everything that happens with the car (including fines) as the registered owner. Ensure that you receive a "Proof of Indemnity" or "Port certificate" (if the purchaser is exporting the car).

If you are selling your car privately to a private individual, the responsibility of the transfer (as in your purchase) is with the buyer. The buyer will need Part II and a copy of Part III (transfer certificate) of the registration papers. When the registration transfer is complete, he will receive a Certificate of Indemnity (Model 3 E 0313), this is for you as the seller. You should also ask for the invalidated Part II of the papers. This Certificate of Indemnity is your only proof that you are no longer the owner of the car.

Registration

If you are resident and own a car privately, you are required to register you car and pay motor vehicle tax to the CBM (Centraal Bureau Motorrijuigenbelasting). Forms for this are available at the post office. Should you need more information about this process, contact the RDW (Department of Road Transport).

Part I of the registration costs €33,25 payable at the time of purchase of your car. Also payable when you import a car into the Netherlands. Having the transfer into your name (Part II) is payable at the post office and costs €9,75.

You are also required to have a valid APK for the vehicle, which is valid for a year. This is done at a RDW testing station and and needs to be renewed annually from the date of expiration, along with any repairs to the car in order to pass the test.

Driving your car with your own registration plates is possible if you are here temporarily. Check with the RDW if you are eligible for this exemption.

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