How to get a Dutch driving or motorcycle licence in English
The complete 2026 path for expats — car (B) and motorcycle (A/A1/A2). What to do, in what order, what each step costs, and the official links you'll need. Theory is where most people lose time; we'll show you how to get through it fast.
Before you start: can you just exchange your licence?
If you already hold a licence from another country, you may not need to do any of this. EU/EEA licences and a handful of designated countries can be exchanged at RDW without retesting. Check first — it could save you months and thousands of euros.
→ Read: Convert a foreign licence in the Netherlands
The full process, step by step
Register and get a BSN + DigiD
You must be registered at your Dutch municipality (gemeente) with a BSN (citizen service number). Then create a DigiD — the national login you'll use to book exams and file your health declaration.
File your health declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring)
Before your first exam you submit a health self-declaration through MijnCBR (~€41). It's available in Dutch; most questions are simple yes/no medical items. Most applicants are approved automatically.
Choose a driving school (rijschool)
Pick a school that teaches in English if you need it. Look for one that is CBR-recognised and ideally has good pass-rate data. For motorcycles, confirm they teach the AVB and AVD modules in English.
Tip: book a trial lesson (proefles) before committing to a package. Lessons are the biggest cost, so instructor fit matters.
Study and pass the theory exam — start here
This is the step where most expats stall. You cannot sit the practical exam without a valid theory certificate (valid 18 months), so getting theory done early unblocks everything else.
The Dutch theory exam is dense: traffic rules (RVV 1990), insight scenarios, and hazard perception (gevaarherkenning). For the car exam, CBR offers an English version. For the motorcycle exam, it's Dutch-only — which is exactly why we built DutchTheory.
DutchTheory teaches the entire Dutch motor theory syllabus in English with spaced repetition, every Dutch term explained inline, and hazard perception in the real CBR format. Whether you sit the exam in English or with an interpreter, you walk in already knowing the answers.
- Start learning — daily 10-minute sessions, scheduled by an algorithm that shows you what you're about to forget
- How hazard perception works — the section that fails most people
- The full RVV road-sign library in English
Book and sit the theory exam at CBR
Reserve your theory exam via MijnCBR (~€40-€44). The car (B) exam can be taken in English directly. The motorcycle (A) exam is Dutch-only — book the I-T product (theorie-examen met tolk) and arrange an interpreter.
→ Read: How to book a CBR English interpreter (process, cost, the 3 approved agencies)
Not sure which licence category you need? A1 vs A2 vs A explained.
Take practical lessons
With theory passed, focus on driving/riding lessons. Counts vary widely by prior experience — first-timers often need 30-40 car lessons; experienced drivers far fewer. Motorcycle riders take structured AVB (vehicle control) and AVD (on-road) training.
Pass the practical exam(s)
Car (B): an optional interim test (tussentijdse toets) then the practical driving exam (~€160), conducted by a CBR examiner. English-language practical exams are available.
Motorcycle (A): two practical exams — AVB (special manoeuvres on a closed course, ~€135) and AVD (riding in traffic, ~€155). Both via CBR.
Collect your licence at the municipality
After passing, apply for the physical licence at your gemeente. You'll need a passport photo meeting RDW specs, ID, and a fee (~€50). The licence is usually ready within about a week.
What it costs (2026, approximate)
| Item | Car (B) | Motorcycle (A) |
|---|---|---|
| Health declaration | ~€41 | ~€41 |
| Theory exam fee | ~€44 | ~€44 (or €118.50 with interpreter) |
| English interpreter (motor only) | — | ~€238 |
| Lessons | €1,500-€2,500 | €800-€1,800 |
| Practical exam(s) | ~€160 | ~€290 (AVB + AVD) |
| Licence issue | ~€50 | ~€50 |
| Rough total | €1,800-€3,000 | €1,500-€2,800 |
Lessons dominate the cost — passing theory efficiently and arriving prepared to each lesson is the single biggest lever on your total spend.
Realistic timeline
- Weeks 1-2: register, DigiD, health declaration, pick a school
- Weeks 2-4: study theory daily (10 min/day) and pass it
- Weeks 4-16: practical lessons + practical exam(s)
- CBR booking waits can add weeks — book exams as early as you're ready
Official links
- CBR — exams (theory + practical)
- MijnCBR — book exams, health declaration
- RDW — licence issuing, foreign-licence exchange
- DigiD — national login
- RVV 1990 — the traffic rules the theory exam is based on
Fees and procedures verified May 2026; always confirm current amounts at cbr.nl and rdw.nl. DutchTheory is independent of CBR and RDW.
Ready to pass?
DutchTheory is the only English-first platform built specifically for the CBR motorcycle theory exam. Spaced repetition, real exam format, pass guarantee.
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