Guides to your Dutch driving licence, in English
The CBR theory exam in English, Dutch traffic rules and every step to your licence, checked against the official CBR and RDW information and the Dutch traffic regulations.
The CBR theory exam
How the exam works in English, how to book it and how to prepare.
Failed the CBR theory exam? How to retake it and pass next time
Failed the CBR theory exam? There is no waiting period. What a retake costs, and how to prepare so the next attempt is a pass.
CBR theory exam with extra time: dyslexia, ADHD and slow reading
The CBR theory exam with extra time gives you more minutes for the same questions and pass mark, also in English. Who it is for and how to book it.
CBR theory exam with an interpreter: for other languages than English
For languages other than Dutch and English you take the CBR theory exam with an interpreter. How it works, what it costs and when English is the better choice.
Dutch terms on the English CBR exam: the six words that stay Dutch
The six terms the CBR leaves in Dutch on the English theory exam, what each means, and other Dutch road words worth knowing.
How to pass the CBR theory exam first time: a study plan in English
A study plan to pass the CBR car theory exam first time, with the facts of the 2026 exam and the mistakes that cost people the pass.
CBR animation questions and hazard perception, explained
Hazard perception is no longer a separate part: since April 2025 it is built into the single exam through animation questions. How they work and how to practise.
Driver assistance systems (ADAS) on the CBR theory exam
Since October 2026 the CBR asks more about driver assistance systems. Per system: what it does, where it stops working, and what you do.
CBR theory exam pass rate: English 37.5%, Dutch 42.0%
CBR figures for 2025: the pass rate of the car theory exam in English, Dutch, with extra time and with an interpreter, and the topics where candidates lose points.
Free CBR practice test in English: what you can do for free
The free ways to practise for the CBR theory exam in English, what each one tells you, and when you need full timed practice exams.
How to reschedule your CBR theory exam, with or without DigiD
The CBR's rules for moving your theory exam, why cancelling is not possible, and how to book or reschedule without DigiD.
CBR theory exam: how many questions, pass mark and time
50 questions, 44 correct to pass, 30 minutes. How the Dutch car theory exam works, in English or Dutch, and what to expect on the day.
How to book the CBR theory exam in English
Booking the car theory exam in English on Mijn CBR, step by step, with or without DigiD, and what to bring on the day.
English theory course: online or a one-day course?
Online course or one-day course for the CBR theory exam in English: price, time, what to check and who each one suits.
CBR theory exam in English (2026): cost, rules and practice
The Dutch CBR theory exam can be taken in English for 57 euros per attempt in 2026. 50 questions in 30 minutes, pass at 44 correct, available at every CBR theory exam location. In 2025 the CBR administered 44,064 English-language car theory exams with a 35.9% pass rate.
Getting your Dutch licence
The steps, the costs, driving at 17 and what to do with a foreign licence.
Towing a trailer in the Netherlands: licence, weight and speed
Which trailer you may tow with a B or B+ licence, how fast you may drive with a trailer, and the rules for towing another car.
CBR health declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring) explained in English
The CBR health declaration in English: who needs it, when to fill it in, the cost, how long the CBR takes and what happens if you answer yes to a question.
Can you take the Dutch practical driving test in English?
The CBR theory exam can be in English, the practical driving test is in Dutch. How to bring an interpreter, what is not translated and how the 55-minute test works.
How to get a driving licence in the Netherlands: the steps in order
The six steps to a Dutch car licence, in order: lessons, the theory exam, the health declaration, the practical exam and collecting your licence.
What a driving licence costs in the Netherlands (2026)
A Dutch car licence cost €3,625 on average in 2026, according to the CBR. Lesson prices, how many lessons, every exam fee and the municipality fee.
Driving at 17 in the Netherlands: how 2toDrive works
Pass the practical exam at 17 and drive with a coach until your 18th birthday. Who can be a coach, the €27 companion pass and the steps.
Exchanging your foreign driving licence in the Netherlands
Which licences can be exchanged for a Dutch one, what the 185-day rule and the 30% ruling mean, what to bring and how long it takes.
Dutch driving licence for expats: exchange it or take the exams
How long your foreign licence stays valid after you move, whether you can exchange it, and which CBR exams you need if you cannot.
Dutch traffic rules
Road signs, priority, speed limits and alcohol, as they appear on the exam.
Breakdown or accident in the Netherlands: what to do
What to do after a breakdown or accident in the Netherlands: hazard lights, the warning triangle at about 30 metres, the hard shoulder and your legal duties.
Seat belts and child seats in the Netherlands: the rules
Seat belts for everyone, child seats for children under 1.35 metres, rear-facing seats and airbags, taxis, and passengers in a load space.
Mopeds and scooters in Dutch traffic: what drivers need to know
Where mopeds (brommers) and light mopeds (snorfietsen) ride in the Netherlands, how fast they may go, helmets, and what it means for car drivers.
Driving out of an exit, reversing and turning: who goes first
Driving out of an exit, pulling away, reversing, turning and changing lanes are special manoeuvres: you give way to everyone and indicate.
Car lights in the Netherlands: which light, when
When Dutch rules require dipped beam, allow full beam, front and rear fog lights and daytime running lights, and which lights you need when stopped.
Using your phone while driving in the Netherlands: what the law says
You may not hold a phone or other mobile device while driving in the Netherlands, also on a bicycle. When you are really standing still, for example at a red light, you may.
Emergency vehicles, level crossings and buses: who you let go first
Emergency vehicles with blue lights, trains at level crossings and buses pulling away: who goes first in Dutch traffic.
Traffic lights in the Netherlands: what every light means
What every Dutch traffic light means: amber, arrows, cycle and tram lights, flashing amber, level crossing lights, and how they rank against signs.
Overtaking in the Netherlands: left, right and when it is forbidden
Overtake on the left; the exceptions where you may pass on the right; and where overtaking is forbidden, from zebra crossings to sign F1.
Pedestrians and zebra crossings in the Netherlands: the rules for drivers
When pedestrians go first on a Dutch zebra crossing, the exceptions, and why you may not overtake or stop near one.
Parking rules in the Netherlands: where you may stop and park
Where you may stop and park in the Netherlands: the 5-metre rule, yellow lines, blue zones and parking discs, and disabled bays.
Merging in the Netherlands: joining the motorway and the zipper rule
How to join and leave a Dutch motorway, who gives way, and how the zipper (ritsen) works where a lane ends.
Motorway rules in the Netherlands: speed, lanes and the hard shoulder
Who may use a Dutch motorway, 100 or 130 km/h, keeping right, rush-hour lanes, lane signals and the hard shoulder, checked against the Dutch traffic rules.
Erf (home zone) in the Netherlands: 15 km/h and the other rules
Sign G5 starts an erf: 15 km/h, pedestrians may use the whole road and you park only in marked spaces. G6 ends it. The word stays Dutch on the English exam.
Trams in the Netherlands: priority, overtaking and tram stops
At junctions you give way to trams, also from the left. You may overtake them on the right. Tram stops, tram lanes and tram signals explained.
Cyclists and bike lanes in the Netherlands: the rules for drivers
Where a car may drive, stop and park near cycle paths and cycle lanes, how to tell an advisory strip apart, and when cyclists have priority.
Roundabouts in the Netherlands: who goes first and when to indicate
Traffic on the roundabout goes first wherever there are sharks' teeth. Indicate right before you leave. How cyclists, trams and turbo roundabouts work.
Dutch traffic rules that catch out drivers from the UK, US and India
The Dutch traffic rules that differ most from the UK, the US and India, and why experienced drivers still fail the CBR theory exam on them.
Alcohol limit for drivers in the Netherlands: 0.5 and 0.2 per mille
0.5 per mille for experienced drivers, 0.2 for novice drivers in their first 5 years. Who counts as a novice, the penalties and the CBR courses.
Speed limits in the Netherlands: every road type in one table
50 in built-up areas, 80 outside, 100 on an autoweg, 130 on motorways, 15 in an erf. With the daytime 100 limit, trailers and matrix signs.
Dutch road signs explained: shapes, colours and every series
What each shape and colour means and how the series A to L are organised, with the signs that come up most on the CBR theory exam.
Priority rules in the Netherlands: who goes first
Traffic from the right, priority roads, shark's teeth, trams, cyclists and pedestrians: who goes first in the Netherlands, rule by rule.
More guides
Low-emission zones in the Netherlands: can your car go in?
Dutch low-emission zones only apply to diesel vehicles. Signs C22e and C22f, the emission class, zero-emission zones for vans, and how to check your car.
Road markings in the Netherlands: lines, arrows and sharks' teeth
What Dutch road markings mean: solid and broken lines, hatched areas, lane arrows, stop lines, sharks' teeth, block markings and yellow and blue lines.
Dutch theory exam app in English: 6 apps compared (2026)
Six apps for the Dutch CBR car theory exam in English compared: platforms, English video lessons, practice exams, guarantee and price.
English theory course with a pass guarantee: what each one promises
Which English theory courses have a pass guarantee, what you get if you fail and under which conditions, from each provider's own site.
Best English theory course in the Netherlands (2026): 10 compared
Ten English courses and apps for the CBR car theory exam side by side: price, access, practice exams, English video, guarantee and app, from their own sites.