Driver's licence

Valid driving licence

If you want to drive a car when living in the Netherlands, you will need a valid driving licence. If you have a valid driving licence from your country of origin, you can use this driving licence up to 10 years after the date of issue in your country of origin. After this period, you will have to go to your municipality to exchange your driving licence for a Dutch driving licence. For more information, call the National Vehicle and Driving Licence Registration Authority (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer, RDW): 0900-0739. Or check www.rdw.nl/englishinformation.

Bringing a car

Do you bring your car with you to the Netherlands? As a resident, you can choose to keep your foreign registration number or to choose a Dutch registration number.

Keeping your foreign registration number:

  • You will have to pay motor vehicle tax (mrb) immediately. The tax is paid via the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst). Call the Tax Information Line: 0800-0749. Or check www.belastingdienst.nl/english.
  • You must take out car insurance immediately. This is possible in the Netherlands or in your country of origin. If you take out car insurance in your country of origin, you will have to pay motor vehicle tax in the Netherlands and in your country of origin.
  • You can apply for an exemption from private motor vehicle and motorcycle tax (bpm). The tax is paid via the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst). Call the Tax Information Line: 0800-0749. Or check www.belastingdienst.nl/english.

Applying for a Dutch registration number:

Were you granted an exemption from filing a private motor vehicle and motorcycle tax return? If so, you can apply for a Dutch registration number with the National Vehicle and Driving Licence Registration Authority (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer, RDW). Your car will have to be inspected for this. For more information, call the RDW: 0900-0739. Or check www.rdw.nl/englishinformation.

Periodic vehicle inspection

Cars must be checked for safety and environmental pollution. The frequency of such checks depends on the age of the car, the weight
of the car and the type of fuel used. For more information, call the National Vehicle and Driving Licence Registration Authority
(Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer, RDW): 0900-0739. Or check www.rdw.nl/englishinformation.

Exemption from mrb

Sometimes, you do not have to pay any motor vehicle tax (mrb). For example if you work for a foreign company. You must apply for this exemption to the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst). Call the Tax Information Line: 0800-0749. Or check  www.belastingdienst.nl/english.