Anyone wanting to drive a car or motorcycle in the Netherlands must be in possession of a valid driver's licence, and the driver must be at least 18 years old (21 years for drivers of heavy vehicles like buses).
If you come to live in the Netherlands, it depends on the country that issued your driver's licence whether you may make use of your foreign driver's licence in the Netherlands. In some cases the driver's licence that you obtained in a foreign country can be exchanged for a Dutch driver's licence. This option is not available to citizens of all countries; sometimes it will be necessary to take a driving test.
An exception is made for employees of international organisations in The Hague or people holding a diplomatic status and their immediate family. They do not need to exchange their foreign driver's licence for a Dutch one.
Would you like to find out which rules apply to your situation? Please visit the website www.rijbewijs.nl/nl/english.asp or the website of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management at www.verkeerenwaterstaat.nl/english/. These websites also provides more information about the road traffic signs and regulations in the Netherlands.
For additional information you can contact the
Customer Service Centre of Wageningen, phone (0317) 492
534.