Does anybody have any advice on how to go about getting a drivers licence in the Netherlands? I'm from the States and have my license there, but have been here for a few years, and still haven't gotten one in Amsterdam.

I haven't the first clue of what office to go to to register for one, or if the test is in Dutch, etc. etc....

Does anybody know any details on this?

Thanks in advance!!
~Amber

http://www.rdw.nl/nl/voertuigeigenaar/alge...ing_the_rdw.htm
http://www.rijbewijs.nl/nl/english.asp

There you go!

Hello,

How difficult is it to get the licence?

If I have a licence in another country, do I need to study or prepare for the pratical and theorical tests?

Thanks in advance..

You can automatically swap your license within your first 6 months of living in the Netherlands. Otherwise, you will have to do the test again. You can see more info here: http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/living/offici...driving-licence

Depending on the reason for your move and where you are from. Those here for Dutch partners cannot (unless they are from the Canadian province of Quebec).

You can only change if you are from the European Union, and I am from Brazil.
Was anybody in the forum tested?

I wasn't, but I knew many who were. As far as I know, you have to do the theory test, register at a driving school, where they determine how many lessons you need prior to the test.

In other words, you basically have to start all over again, but I know a couple of people who were ready for the practical exam after only a few lessons. But then I also know experienced drivers who had to take the test more and once, and it isn't cheap!

Hint: exaggerate your head movements when checking your blind spots...apparently they are really picky about that here...

My wife, being an Americano had to take the test here. But there's like a special fast-track procedure for people who have high-falutin' jobs in senior management positions. So she got her exam date really quickly and passed after just a couple of lessons.

The test itself was also a doddle, no theory test, they just took her out for a few minutes just to check that she wasn't a danger to the general public, and then brought her back.

Is that still available? For some reason, I seem to remember that disappeared around five years ago or so...

Yeah that sounds like one of this nudge nudge wink wink things

Or one of those "pre-Rita" things...

This rules are really non sense. I am driving already, my drivers licence is valid for 6 months. If I was a danger for the public then I should not be able to drive at all! After 6 months of driving, then I need to prove that I know how to drive. And if I didn't know before, at that time I'd have learnt already.

Truth be told, Dutch driving authorities frown upon a US driving license. My brother was told by his NL driving instructor that he could...and this is verbatim..."Frame your US (California) drivers license and hang it above your bed".

I still wonder how the province of Quebec were able to have a "special arrangement" that allows them to trade their licences in...The only place in North America!

That's entirely possible, this would have been about ten(ish) years ago. It certainly wasn't a 'nudge nudge' thing. It was organized by the Holland International Distribution Council.

maybe because it was French and the Dutch couldn't read it???

I am so confused by this issue myself.
From UK - full clean licence. I believe I can continue to drive until 70 or something. It's a paper licence, dont know if I should trade in for a UK card licence first? But I dont live there. It is an offence in UK to have an address on it that is out of date! I have 4 UK addresses since the one on my licence.

I have shown it (paper) over here and it was accepted but I hear Spain doesn't like them.

In another forum here, and I went to the Gemeente too; from what i can gather at least for a UK licence. Can trade-it-in at Belastingdienst (i think), more or less over the counter, but i would loose van, lorry, minibus, small motorbike etc
Unless I have a medical, and then I get the equivalent new licence??????

But I am a bit unsure of giving in my document and getting something inferior

Going for your drivers licence here is like taking part in a lottery ..

Seeing as I left the UK when I was 16 and spent 5 years travelling from place to place i had never had a driving licence before i settled in the NL.

I had a brilliant instuctor who also gives advanced lessons to police and army people and he thought I was ready to take my test after only 8 lessens, 4 weeks and another 4 lessons later( total 12 lessons ) I took the test and failed although I drove brilliantly, according to my instuctor who went along in the back seat. Second test and 8 lessons later ( total 20 lessons ) failed again for a couple of very minor errors. ... 6 weeks and 6 lessons, later the third test I was very tired from working double shifts for the previous two weeks and very nervous seeing as I had failed the last two tests. I drove like someone taking their first lesson and Passed ..

Why ..? the examiner was gay and flirting with me from the moment we got into the car, I played along and got my licence

There used to be a fast-track accelerated test procedure for experienced drivers. The program was ended when it was discovered that the test examiners were taking bribes to pass people who couldn't pass the regular test.

Christian Barth, Esq.
www.expatlaw.nl

There is another way to change a license, but it is conditional. If you've been headhunted by a company (so hired outside of the NL) you become eligible for the 30% tax ruling - if so you can switch over your license if you are from a 'developed' country. There is no time restriction! I have lived here for 3 1/2 years, and I've only just changed my license - but I have switched it over. AND its good for all members of your family (so my wife can change hers as well).

My license was issued in Canada (BC) and all they wanted was proof that when my license was first issued, that I lived in Canada for 6 months (or 185 days) - I got my license when I was 17, so used my highschool transcripts. It was a bit of a pain in the ass because I had to phone up BC and work out a way to get my drivers abstract, but it all worked out ok.

For those that asked before - Quebec drivers can change it over because their rules are fairly similar to what they have here - for example, you can't make a right hand turn at anytime - you have to wait for the light. Also, Quebec licenses are set up based on if you can drive a standard/automatic when you take your test (like here), whereas the rest of Canada I believe is still debating it.

But now I have a question:

Does anyone know if your drivers history rolls over to the NL - does it count on your insurance? I'm accident free for 13 years - we just bought a car and insurance costs at least double when I start from 0!

Thanks!