Exchanging a foreign driving licence

Do you live in the Netherlands and have a foreign driving licence? Then you may temporarily continue to drive in the Netherlands with your foreign driving licence. After that, you must exchange your foreign driving licence at the local council. Whether this is possible depends on the country where the driving licence was issued. Check the conditions for conversion and make an appointment at the GemeenteLoket. The RDW will assess your application.

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Applications

First check below whether you can exchange your driving licence. If you meet the rules and conditions, come to the GemeenteLoket to submit your application. Make an appointment first and bring all the required documents with you. Read the drop-down menu 'Bring to your appointment' at the bottom of this page to find out which documents these are.

When to exchange?

If you are going to live in the Netherlands, you may continue to drive with your foreign driving licence for a while. How long exactly depends on the country where you obtained your driving licence. Check the RDW website to see how long you may continue to drive with a foreign driving licence. 

Are you eligible?

Rules

The rules for exchanging licences vary from country to country. First check the RDW website to see whether you can exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dutch driving licence.

Conditions

The following conditions also apply:

  • You are registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) of the municipality of Maastricht.
  • You must hand in your foreign driving licence when you apply.
  • You are not allowed to drive a vehicle until you have obtained your Dutch driving licence.
  • A military driving licence must be exchanged within 3 years.
  • You may need a health certificate (Gezondheidsverklaring). Check this on the CBR website.
    • Your driving licence
    • A passport photo that meets the requirements of the national government and is no more than 6 months old.
    • Valid passport/identity card
    • If applicable to you: the expatriate tax scheme - see the 30% ruling of the Tax and Customs Administration
    • If applicable: a health certificate
    • Does your driving licence contain characters that are not used in the Netherlands, for example Greek or Japanese? If so, please bring a translation. The translation must be done by a certified translator, the embassy or the consulate.

  • For 2026

    The cost of exchanging a foreign driver's license is the same as applying for a regular driver's license and amounts to €53.65.

  • The local authority will forward your application and all the necessary documents to the RDW. If everything is in order, the RDW will send you a letter confirming that your application has been approved. You can then collect your Dutch driving licence from the GemeenteLoket.

    Collection

    • You do not need to make an appointment. You can collect your Dutch driving licence from the GemeenteLoket without an appointment.
    • Please bring your valid passport or identity card with you.
    • Collect your new driving licence within 3 months.