A driver's license shows that you are authorized to drive a motor vehicle. Each vehicle has its own driving license category. Your license shows which categories you are authorized to drive vehicles.

A new driver's license is usually valid for 10 years. A driving license with category C, C1, D, D1 and/or E is valid for 5 years. Are you older than 65 years? Then your driving license is not valid for as long. This is because you must have a medical examination from the age of 75. Read more about your driving license from age 75 on Rijksoverheid.nl.

Has your driving license not been issued by the Netherlands, but by another EU country? Then you may use that driving license in the Netherlands as long as it is valid.

You apply for a driver's license at municipality if:

• you passed a driving test for the first time.
• you have passed a new category.
• your driver's license is about to expire.
• your ability to drive is impaired (for example, due to an accident or illness).
• You want to exchange a driver's license (for example, a foreign or military driver's license).
• your driver's license is lost or stolen.
• your driver's license is damaged.

With a driver's license issued after May 25, 2018, you can also log in to government websites. Read more about it on the RDW website.

Renewing your driving license online at the RDW

All information about renewing your driving license directly with the RDW can be found on their website.
Read that information carefully and/or watch the video before you apply. You will receive an email after 2 working days that you can pick up your driving license at municipality . You do not need to make an appointment.

Note: You can only renew online if you are in possession of a valid Dutch driving license. If you have reported online to the RDW that the driving license is missing/stolen then online renewal is not possible. Then make an appointment at municipality to apply for a new driving license. 

Report loss or theft

You can report this in 2 ways:

• Digitally at the RDW. This notification is free of charge (Note: online application for a new driving license at the RDW is then not possible. Make an appointment at municipality to apply for a new driving license).
• At the municipality. The processing of your report does incur a fee. 

You must first report the loss or theft of the driver's license before applying for a new license. 

Exchange foreign driving license

Did you obtain the driving license outside the Netherlands? You can exchange the driving license for a Dutch driving license in some cases. Check the RDW to see which documents you need for your appointment at the municipality. Schedule your appointment online. 

During the exchange, you may not drive on public roads. If you do, you will be fined. You will have to show your driving license during a road check. 

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

• You lived in the Netherlands for at least 184 days in the past year.
• You apply for your driver's license within 3 years of your driving test. Otherwise, you must take the exam again.

Check on CBR.nl whether you need to complete a Health Declaration. CBR then assesses whether you are fit to drive. Sometimes CBR needs more information. Then, for example, you need to be examined by a doctor. Or take a driving test.

Do you want to exchange a foreign driver's license? Then additional conditions apply .

The age at which you may apply for a driver's license depends on the type of license. 

If you are 17 years old, you can apply for a youth driving license. You may then drive a car with a coach next to you. To do this, you need to apply for a supervisor pass at the Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW). Read more about the youth driving license at 2todrive.nl.

After 5 business days, you can pick up your new driver's license at municipality. You have 3 months to pick up your driver's license.

Does 5 working days take too long? Then apply for a driver's license through the urgent procedure. If you apply for the driver's license before 2 p.m., it will be ready after 2 working days at the latest. You will then pay a surcharge.

Is your driver's license missing? Then an emergency procedure is not always possible. Please inquire about this at municipality.