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Exchanging a foreign driving licence in the Netherlands

RDW decides whether you can exchange a foreign licence; your gemeente submits the application. You can exchange if your licence is on the RDW exchange table, or if you hold a Belastingdienst expat-scheme (30% ruling) decision. Non-EU/EEA licence holders also need a CBR health declaration.

Which route applies to you

  • Your licence is on the RDW exchange table, for example licences from Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, Andorra, Monaco, the UK and some Canadian provinces. You must have lived in the issuing country for 185 days in the year the licence was issued.
  • You hold a 30% ruling (expat scheme) decision: according to RDW (opens in a new tab) you can exchange a licence from any country. This route was questioned in parliament in 2026 and may change.
  • Neither: you need to pass the CBR theory and practical exams.

The official process

Official step · You do this

Submit a health declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring) to CBR

Required for non-EU/EEA licences. You submit it yourself through Mijn CBR with DigiD.

Official step · You do this

Apply at your gemeente

Only the municipality can submit the application. Bring a photo, your foreign licence (with a sworn translation if it is not in Latin script) and your Belastingdienst decision if it applies.

Official step · The authority does this

RDW decides

You receive a letter within 15 working days, according to RDW.

Costs

Fees differ per gemeente. Check your municipality's website.

How we can help

If you want certainty, our Licence Route Check gives you your route, deadline and document list in writing. Our Application Preparation Pack helps you put together a complete application. You submit it, and the authority decides.

Our service

Services for this country

  • Licence Route Check

    A written summary of your route, your deadline and your documents, with links to every official source.

    €95incl. 21% VAT

  • Application Preparation Pack

    Help preparing a complete exchange application: checklist, forms, health declaration, translations and appointment preparation. You submit it yourself.

    €295incl. 21% VAT

Get a route checkAsk a question

Independent help with the official process. You can also apply to the authority yourself; its fees are paid to it, separately from ours. How we work

Frequently asked questions

I have the 30% ruling. Can I exchange any licence in the Netherlands?

According to RDW, holders of a Belastingdienst expat-scheme decision can exchange a driving licence from any country. You will need the decision letter, and for non-EU/EEA licences a CBR health declaration. This route has been questioned in parliament in 2026, so check the RDW page before you rely on it.

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