Driving licenceNetherlands
Traffic rules
Netherlands
1. Driving licence
A driving licence is an official document authorising a person to drive one or more specified categories of motor vehicle. It may contain conditions, restrictions, category codes and expiry dates that determine which vehicles the holder may drive.
Drivers must hold a licence that is valid for the vehicle category and jurisdiction concerned. A licence may be provisional, full, restricted, suspended or withdrawn, and additional qualifications may be required for professional driving.
Which driving-licence entitlement is needed for an ordinary car in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, category B is the usual entitlement for an ordinary passenger car (subject to vehicle-mass, seat and other licence conditions). A different entitlement may be needed for motorcycles, heavy vehicles, trailers or passenger transport.
🔗 rdw.nl • RDW — foreign driving licences, visitors versus residents and underlying valid licence
Can a visitor drive in the Netherlands using a driving licence issued abroad?
A valid, full driving licence issued by another EU country is recognised for the vehicle categories it authorises, subject to the local minimum age. A learner licence or temporary replacement certificate is not automatically recognised across borders. For licences issued outside the EU, check national recognition rules.
🔗 rdw.nl • RDW — foreign driving licences, visitors versus residents and underlying valid licence
Does an International Driving Permit replace the original licence in the Netherlands?
No. A valid full EU driving licence is normally sufficient for driving elsewhere in the EU; an IDP does not replace it. Non-EU licence holders should check national requirements and carry the underlying licence with any recognised permit.
🔗 rdw.nl • RDW — foreign driving licences, visitors versus residents and underlying valid licence
