Hi there

My husband and I recently relocated to the Netherlands. We have been living here for almost five months now. My husband was “recruited” by the current company he works for, from South Africa were we used to live. When we arrived here he applied for the 30% tax ruling. A few weeks ago we found out het the application was successful, and that the rule will be applied to his salary as from the end of this month.

We have heard stories from other people who relocated that once you qualified for this tax deduction, there are other benefits as well. One of them being able to get a Dutch driver’s license more easier. At the moment we both have international driver’s licenses, but they are only valid for a period of one year. One person even went as far to say that all my husband needs to do, is go and swap his South African driver’s license for a Dutch one. Is this true? Are there some benefits regarding your driver’s license once you qualified for the 30% tax ruling?

Thanks everyone

True, if you are here on 30% ruling both you and your husband can swap your driver's licence for the Dutch drivers licence, it should be fully valid. Both your husband and you can swap the driver's licence. You need to make the copy of your licence in the city hall they will put a stamp on so you can drive while you wait. They say it should take ~ 2 weeks, but it took a little lnger for me. No big deal. Maybe you can do it one at a time, so one of you will always have original or Dutch driver's licence.
I hope if you have international driver's licence, that you also have SA driver's licence, because that is the one you need to swap.
I hope this helps, please let me know if you have other questions.

Hi, I've just arrived in the Netherlands on a Kennismigrant and am also looking to apply for the 30% tax thing. I was wondering if you got any further with exchanging your driver's license? Was it possible? I'm so unkeen to have to redo my drivers!

Just read my post above! It doesn't matter which country you are coming from. Wait for the 30% ruling letter first, though!

Thanks muchly. Still awaiting my bsn number and then will begin the application for the ruling.