Driving licence exchange is required in some cases. Whether you’ll need a Dutch driving licence depends on the duration of your stay, and from which country you hold your existing one.

When your driving license is issued in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Iceland, the exact date of issue influences the steps you need to take:

– If your driving license was issued before January 19th 2013, you are allowed to drive in the Netherlands as long as it is valid, with a maximum of 10 years. If it’s older than 9 years, you are allowed to drive here for 2 years (count from the date you registered at the Town Hall).

– If your driving license was issued after January 19th 2013, you are allowed to drive in the Netherlands as long as it is valid, with a maximum of 15 years.

You are allowed to drive in the Netherlands with a valid non-EU/EER driving license for 185 days (six months) after the first registration at the Dutch town hall. Before the six months have passed, you need to have exchanged it for a Dutch one. Otherwise you will be driving illegally, which may result in a considerable fine. In case of an accident your insurance company may not cover the damages.

Settle Service can provide clear instructions and coordinate and (if agreed) accompany the needed appointments for the exchange. Check out our Driving Licence Service. We help you make sure that you drive legally in your new home country!