Driver's License

Need your driver's license fast? Make a rush application. Keep in mind the additional costs.

• Call 14 079 to make an appointment.
• There is no need to make an appointment for pickup.
• After your appointment at the front desk, the rush application goes into effect.
• Application before 2 p.m. at the counter > collect passport the next working day from 11 a.m. onwards.
• Application after 2 p.m. at the counter > passport collection after 2 working days.

Emergency application after missing driver's license

Has your missing driving license been issued by a municipality other than Zoetermeer? Then it is not possible to urgently apply for a new driving license unless you have another valid document (for example, a Dutch passport or ID card).

Reporting online

• You can report the loss or theft online 24/7 through the RDW website.
• You will receive immediate confirmation of the declaration.
• After this, you can apply for a new driver's license.
• To do so, make an appointment online to apply for and pick up your driver's license (see "Make an Appointment").
• Has your missing driving license been issued by a municipality other than Zoetermeer? Then it is not possible to urgently apply for a new driving license unless you have another valid document (for example, a Dutch passport or ID card).

Report in person at city hall

• You report the lost or theft at the Public Square counter. You can immediately apply for a new driver's license.
• To do so, make an appointment online to apply for and pick up your driver's license (see "Make an Appointment").
• Has your missing driving license been issued by a municipality other than Zoetermeer? Then it is not possible to urgently apply for a new driving license unless you have another valid document (for example, a Dutch passport or ID card).

Driver's license damaged or unreadable?

• You must have the driver's license replaced.
• You will get a driver's license that is valid until the same date as your old license.

• 2toDrive allows you to get your car driver's license before you turn 18.
• From 16 and a half years you can start driving lessons. From age 17 you can take driving tests.
• Have you passed? Then you may drive with a companion until you are 18 years old.
• Before you apply for the driver's license, you must first apply for the companion pass. After this, you can apply for your driver's license at the municipality.

You must be medically examined before you can apply for your driver's license if:

• You want a truck or bus driver's license (category C or D).
• You are 75 years of age or older.
• You have a physical or mental disability.

For more information, visit the website of the Central Bureau of Driving Licenses (CBR).

Due to the huge ammount of applications, CBR recommends submitting the Health Declaration 6 months before your driver's license expires via My CBR. Especially if you expect to need to see one or more medical specialists.

Have you obtained an additional driving qualification? If so, you must renew your driver's license. You can arrange this online at: Driver's license, renew online. On your new license, the obtained category will be added.

Code 95 required on driver's license for C categories

Code 95 is a mandatory indication on the driver's license of professional drivers from the EU and working in the EU. The code is valid for 5 years.

For more information, visit the CBR | Occupational Driver C and/or D website or the RDW | Certificate of Professional Competence website .

With a foreign driver's license, you can only continue to drive in the Netherlands for a certain period of time. After that, you must exchange your foreign driver's license for a Dutch one.

Exchange is only possible if your driver's license is still valid and from a country mentioned in the following lists:

• Country in the European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
• RDW | Foreign driver's license exchange | Countries suitable for exchange

In certain cases, you first must undergo a medical examination. This is mandatory if you have a driver's license that is not from an EU/EFTA country. More information can be found on the RDW website.

Are you in the Netherlands for work (expat)? You may fall under the so-called 30% rule of the Tax Office. You can exchange your foreign driver's license (from any country) for a Dutch driver's license. This is only possible if the foreign driver's license is still valid.

In that case, to apply for a Dutch driver's license, you need a "Decision Proof Rule" (declaration) from the Tax Office. You apply for this together with your employer.

Notice! You must make 2 separate appointments:

•  1 appointment to apply for your driver's license
•  1 appointment to pick up your driver's license

Apply

Appointment driver's license application

Collection

Notice! You must pick up a requested driver's license within 3 months. Otherwise, it will be destroyed.

Driver's license pickup appointment

Driver's license lost or stolen

Appointment driver's license application

Foreign driver's license

Foreign driver's license exchange appointment

The municipality forwards the application with all documents to the National Office for Road Traffic (RDW). We will call you when you can pick up your driver's license.

Change or delete appointment?

Once you have made an appointment you will receive a confirmation e-mail. This e-mail also contains a link that allows you to change or delete your appointment.

Are you changing your appointment? Please remember to delete your other appointment!

Do you no longer have the e-mail? Call 14 079. A staff member can change or delete the appointment for you.

Applications > Pick up

Notice! Different pickup dates apply during vacation periods and holidays see: Pickup dates 2025.

When applying for driver's license

• A valid identifictation document or residency document.
• Your (old) driver's license (if you have one).
• An accurate looking color passport photo.
  • At the time of application, the photo must be no older than 6 months.
  • Passport photo requirements are attached to the photo .
  • A headscarf is allowed, but the face and eyes must be fully visible. Also, the headscarf must be even and single-colored. It also has to be in contrast with the background.
• Younger than 18? If so, you must first apply for a companion pass. After that you can apply for your driver's license at the municipality. The companion does not have to come with you to the appointment.

Upon collection of driver's license

• The pickup receipt you received during the application.
• A valid identification document.
• The old driver's license (if you have one).

You pay the fee when you apply for your driver's license. At the counter, you can only pay by debit card or cash.

Validity

The validity of your driver's license B (passenger car) depends on your age.

• Are you under the age of 65? Then your driver's license is valid for 10 years.
• Are you between the ages of 65 and 70? Then your driver's license is valid until your 75th birthday.
• Are you between the ages of 70 and 75? Then your driver's license is valid for 5 years.
• Are you over 75 years old? Then your driver's license is valid for a maximum of 5 years.
• License C (truck) and license D (bus) are valid for up to 5 years.
• Have you been medically examined because of a physical or mental disability? Your driver's license is valid for less than 10 years until you are fit to drive again.

New chip on driver's licenses

Driver's licenses have a new chip. With this chip you can log in to DigiD. If you want a new driver's license without this chip, you must send a letter to the RDW. Do this 5 days before you renew your driver's license. For more information, visit the RDW website.