Rules for driving tests

Published by:
Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO
Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO

Do you have a driving school in the Netherlands and is your student ready to take a theoretical test, a practical driving test, or an intermediate test? You need to register with the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen, CBR) to book their test.

Register your driving school

To be able to book tests, you must be registered as a driving school with CBR. You register your driving school with CBR (in Dutch). You will then receive the application agreement, which you will need to complete (in twofold) and return. You also need to send in an application form and a copy of your WRM competence card. You complete your registration by paying the entry fee.

Requirements for booking tests

Registered driving schools can book theoretical, practical, or intermediate tests for their students through mijn.cbr.nl when:

  • your student has authorized you, and
  • your student has submitted a declaration of health (in Dutch), and
  • your student has reached the required age for the test. To take the practical test for a category B driving licence for instance, your student must be at least 17 years old.

Students can also book theoretical tests themselves for the passenger car (B), motorbike (A), and moped (AM) categories.

You can attend the practical driving test, for example as a translator for your student, if you show your WRM competence card. You are only allowed to directly translate questions from the examiner. You may not otherwise disrupt the driving test.

Requirements for driving school vehicles

Your student will take their practical or intermediate driving test in your driving school vehicle. CBR sets requirements for driving school vehicles in general (in Dutch). Specific requirements for the vehicle used for practical driving tests also apply. These requirements are, among others, clearly visible pedals for the examiner and additional left- and right-hand side external mirrors.

Also, from 1 November 2026, all vehicles used for practical driving tests must have well-functioning climate control.

2toDrive: earlier driving test

The 2toDrive initiative allows you to teach young people to drive from age 16.5. They can also take the theory test at the age of 16. The resulting certificate remains valid for 1.5 years. After their 17th birthday, your students can take the practical driving test. If they pass, they are allowed to drive before their 18th birthday. They must however be accompanied by a coach registered with the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW, in Dutch) until they are 18. After their 18th birthday, the regular rules apply.

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