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Exchanging a foreign driving licence in the Netherlands

If you want to exchange your old driving license for a Dutch one, there are strict criteria to adhere to.

You will have to fulfil the following criteria:

You are a registered resident of the Netherlands with a valid residence permit (if applicable).
You are a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland; or you are from a country with a special driving licence agreement (see below); or you benefit from the 30% ruling (see below).
Your non-EU/EEA driving licence is valid at the time of the application.
If your EU/EEA licence is expired, it may be exchanged, provided you have a declaration from the agency in the country where the driving licence was issued in which they state they have no objection with you receiving a Dutch driving licence.
You obtained your current driving licence while being a resident of that country for at least half a year (185 days). Possible evidence for this fact: complete copies of your passport (including blank pages), airplane tickets, or salary/tax documents.

Countries with special licence exchange agreements

Taiwan, Israel: category B, passenger vehicle
Japan: category IB, passenger vehicle and motorcycle in excess of 400 cm3
Singapore: class 2, motorcycle in excess of 400 cm3; and Class 3, passenger vehicle
South Korea: ordinary licence, second class
Canada, province of Quebec: class 5
Andorra, Aruba, Jersey, Isle of Man, Monaco, Netherlands Antilles: all categories

If you have previously had a Dutch driving licence (valid after 30 June 1985), you only have to prove the conditions for the categories you did not have on your previous driving licence.

Countries with special licence exchange agreements Taiwan, Israel: category B, passenger vehicle Japan: category IB, passenger vehicle and motorcycle in excess of 400 cm3 Singapore: class 2, motorcycle in excess of 400 cm3; and Class 3, passenger vehicle South Korea: ordinary licence, second class Canada, province of Quebec: class 5 Andorra, Aruba, Jersey, Isle of Man, Monaco, Netherlands Antilles: all categories If you have previously had a Dutch driving licence (valid after 30 June 1985), you only have to prove the conditions for the categories you did not have on your previous driving licence.

30% ruling and the Dutch driving licence

You can also exchange your driving licence for a Dutch one if you are eligible for the 30% ruling, regardless your country of origin. The 30% ruling is a tax advantage for highly skilled migrants that have moved to the Netherlands to fulfil a specific role in an organisation. If you are eligible for this ruling, the above rules for converting a driving license also apply to you. Find out more about the 30% ruling.