Can I drive my motorcycle in the Netherlands on a foreign license?

EU/EEA license holders can ride for as long as the license is valid (or 15 years from issue, whichever is sooner). Non-EU residents may ride for 185 days from when they register as a Dutch resident — after that, conversion or retesting is required.

Which foreign motorcycle licenses can be exchanged at RDW without retesting?

EU/EEA licenses are exchanged directly. Non-EU licenses are exchangeable only if from a designated country (mainly Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, plus a few US states for short-term residents under the 30%-ruling). Otherwise you must take the Dutch theory and practical exams.

How long do I have to convert my license after moving to the Netherlands?

Non-EU/EEA license holders have 185 days from BRP registration to convert or start the Dutch licensing process. EU/EEA holders have until the license expires or 15 years from issue, whichever is sooner.

What does it cost to exchange a foreign motorcycle license at RDW?

The RDW exchange fee is around €52 in 2026. Add ID document costs and any required medical declaration. If you need to take the Dutch theory and practical exams instead, budget €1,500–€3,000 total including lessons.

Convert a Foreign Motorcycle License in the Netherlands (2026)

Whether you keep your bike on Dutch roads with a quick RDW swap or must restart the whole licensing process depends on one thing — which country issued your license.

The three categories

EU/EEA licenses — direct exchange via RDW, no exams.
Designated non-EU countries — direct exchange via RDW, no exams.
All other foreign licenses — full Dutch theory + practical exams required.

Category 1 — EU/EEA licenses

If your motorcycle license was issued by any EU country, EEA country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), or Switzerland, you can swap it directly at RDW without retesting. You may keep riding on the foreign license until it expires (or 15 years from issue, whichever is sooner), but exchange is recommended once you become a Dutch resident.

Process: register at your municipality (BRP), then book an appointment at your local RDW office. Bring passport, BSN, foreign license, and proof of medical fitness if required.

Category 2 — Designated non-EU countries

A handful of non-EU countries have reciprocal agreements with the Netherlands:

Japan
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan
Israel
Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City
US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, South Africa, and others — only for residents under the 30%-ruling (highly skilled migrant scheme)

The 30%-ruling pathway is the most important to know if you moved from the US, Canada, Australia, or similar — without it, your license is in category 3 even if your home country is on the list.

Category 3 — Everyone else

If your license isn't in category 1 or 2, the Netherlands does not recognise it for exchange. You can ride on the foreign license for 185 days after registering at the municipality (BRP), then you must:

Pass the Dutch motorcycle theory exam (in Dutch, or with a CBR-listed interpreter).
Pass the Dutch motorcycle practical exams (AVB and AVD).

Budget €1,500–€3,000 including motorcycle riding-school lessons, exam fees, and (if needed) an English interpreter for theory.

Timeline after moving

License origin	Ride-on-foreign window	Action
EU / EEA / CH	Until expiry or 15 yrs	RDW swap
Designated non-EU	185 days from BRP	RDW swap
All others	185 days from BRP	Full Dutch theory + practical

What you need at RDW (categories 1 + 2)

Valid passport or Dutch ID
BSN (citizen service number)
Foreign motorcycle license (original)
Passport-style photo meeting RDW spec
"Gezondheidsverklaring" (health declaration) if you're over 70, have certain medical conditions, or it's been more than 10 years since the original license was issued — submit via MijnCBR
Exchange fee (around €52 in 2026)

If you're in category 3 — start here

You're back to taking the Dutch motorcycle theory exam from scratch. The theory exam is conducted in Dutch only for motorcycle — book the I-T product (with interpreter) on MijnCBR or study in English first. See our interpreter booking guide.

Source: RDW — buitenlands rijbewijs · cbr.nl. Rules change periodically; verify at RDW before booking exams or appointments. DutchTheory is independent of RDW and CBR.

Convert a foreign motorcycle license in the Netherlands