Apply for a driver's license

Would you like to renew your driver's license because it is about to expire? Or have you added a category? You can easily and quickly arrange this online via the RDW. You can then pick up your driver's license at the town hall after just two working days. Are you applying for a (moped) driver's license for the first time? Or has your driver's license been lost or stolen? Then make an appointment with the municipality.

Rule at RDW

Make an appointment

Approach

Renew digitally

Would you like to renew your driver's license? Or have you added a new category? You can do this quickly and easily online at the RDW.

You can have a passport photo taken byan RDW photographer or in an RDW photo booth. This can also be done in another municipality.
The photographer or photo booth will send your passport photo and signature digitally to the RDW.
The RDW will send you an email or text message.
You can renewyour driver's license digitally at on the RDW website. You can pay with iDEAL.
After receiving a notification, collect your driver's license from the municipality. Bring your old driver's license with you. You do not need to make an appointment.

Applications to the municipality

You must always make an appointment to apply for a driver's license at the municipality if:

You passed your driver's license exam for the first time.
You want to exchange a driver's license. (For example, exchanging a foreign driver's license)
Your driver's license is lost, stolen, or severely damaged
you need a driver's license quickly.

Bring to your appointment

a photo taken in accordance with the rules (no older than 6 months)
your proof of identity
Debit card or cash. You pay for your driver's license when you apply. Please pay by debit card.
A health certificate, if applicable.Request this online at from the CBR.
your old driver's license, if you want to renew or replace your driver's license.

Costs

Rates for 2025

€52.10 (online) to apply for a driver's license
€13.80 extra if you report loss or theft to the municipality
Free of charge if you report the loss or theft online to the RDW
€39.65 extra for urgent requests
€45.25 health declaration for people aged 75 and over

Rates for 2026

€53.65 (online) to apply for a driver's license
€14.20 extra if you report loss or theft to the municipality
Free of charge if you report the loss or theft online to the RDW
€39.65 extra for urgent requests
€46.90 health declaration for people aged 75 and over

Please pay by debit card.

You can apply for a health declaration (self-declaration) with a medical certificate online at the CBR. Only apply on theCBR website. Other websites sometimes charge additional fees.

Description

You need a valid driver's license to drive a car or motorcycle on public roads. You can only apply for your driver's license once you have passed your driving test.

Validity

A driver's license for a car or motorcycle is valid for 10 years. Are you over 65 years of age? Then your driver's license will be valid for a shorter period. This is because you must undergo a medical examination from the age of 75. Read more about your driver's license from the age of 75 on Rijksoverheid.nl.

Foreign driver's license

Was your driver's license issued by another EU country or an EFTA country rather than the Netherlands? If so, you may use that driver's license in the Netherlands as long as it is valid.

17 years

If you are 17 years old, you can apply for a youth driver's license. This allows you to drive a car with a supervisor sitting next to you. To do so, you must apply for a supervisor pass from the National Road Traffic Authority (RDW). Read more about the youth driver's license at 2todrive.nl.

Moped license

Would you like to ride a scooter, moped, or motorized bicycle on public roads? Then you will need a moped license.

You also need a moped license for:

electric bikes that also have pedal assistance above 25 km per hour (such as some fat bikes or speed pedelecs)
electric bikes with a throttle (such as some fat bikes). It doesn't matter how fast the electric bike can go.
microcars

A Canta is a vehicle for disabled people, just like a mobility scooter. You do not need a driver's license to drive one.

Do you already have a driver's license for driving a car or motorcycle? Then that already counts as a moped license. You do not need to apply for a special moped license.

Requirements

The main Requirements applying for a driver's license are:

You have passed your driving test or you have a Dutch driver's license.
You have Dutch nationality, or the nationality of another country. EU country or an EFTA country. If any of these situations apply to you:
- You have a valid residence permit.
- You have Ukrainian nationality and are covered by the Temporary Protection Directive.
- You are in the Netherlands on the basis of Association Decision 1/80 of the EEC/Turkey Association Council.
You lived in the Netherlands for at least 184 days in the past year.
You must apply for your driver's license or new category within three years of your driving test. Otherwise, you will have to retake the test.
You are 18 years of age or older, or
You are 17 years old and you have a companion pass. You can apply for a companion pass via the RDW website.

Lost or stolen?

Has your driver's license been lost or stolen? Report this online to the RDW(Dutch Vehicle Authority) at . Then go to the municipality to apply for a new driver's license. You do not need to report this to the police.

Term

After 5 working days, you can collect your new driver's license from the municipality. You have 3 months to collect your driver's license.

Urgent request

Is five working days too long? Then apply for your driver's license with an urgent request. If you apply for the driver's license before 2 p.m., it will be ready after two working days at the latest. You will have to pay extra for an urgent request.

Have you lost your driver's license? In that case, an urgent application is not always possible. Please inquire about this at the municipality.

You do not need to make an appointment for collection.