The CBR theory exam in English: a guide for expats
What the Dutch car theory exam looks like, what it costs in English, the ID you need, and the road to your licence after it
Short answer: yes, you can take the CBR car theory exam in English at every exam centre. In 2026 it costs €57.00. You get 30 minutes for 50 questions and need 44 correct to pass. Book it in Mijn CBR with your DigiD, bring a valid ID that matches your BRP registration, and you then have 1.5 years to pass the practical exam.
The theory exam is the first hurdle for anyone who cannot simply swap a foreign licence for a Dutch one. Many expats can, so check that first in our driving licence exchange guide. If your country has no exchange agreement with the Netherlands, you start like a Dutch 17-year-old: theory exam, lessons, practical exam.
That is a real investment, so it is worth deciding early whether you need a car at all. Our guides to public transport and cycling in the Netherlands show how far many expats get without one.
Table of contents
Who needs the Dutch theory exam?
| Your licence | Theory exam needed? |
|---|---|
| EU or EEA licence | No, you can drive on it or exchange it |
| Licence from a country with an exchange agreement | No, exchange it at your municipality |
| Other foreign licence, and you have the 30% ruling | No, the 30% ruling allows an exchange |
| Other foreign licence, no 30% ruling | Yes, theory and practical exam |
| No licence at all | Yes, theory and practical exam |
A non-EU licence is valid here for 185 days after you move. After that you may not drive on it, and your car insurance may not pay out. Start lessons well before day 185 if you need to keep driving. Our guide to insuring a car on a foreign licence explains that risk in detail.
Can you take the CBR theory exam in English?
Yes. CBR offers the car theory exam in English at all its exam centres, at a surcharge of €6.50. You choose English when you book. The questions and answers are in English, but road signs and Dutch terms in the study material stay Dutch, so learn the signs visually and know words such as voorrang (priority) and inhalen (overtaking).
Other languages
For any language other than Dutch or English you take an individually supervised exam with an interpreter. You book the interpreter through one of the agencies CBR approves, at least 2 weeks before the exam; you cannot bring your own. If the interpreter is not booked in time, the exam does not go ahead.
Source: CBR, can I take the theory exam in another language? (Dutch).
What the exam looks like since April 2025
CBR renewed the car theory exam on 7 April 2025. The three separate parts were merged into one exam, and the photo-based hazard perception section disappeared. Older practice material and forum posts often still describe the old format.
| Item | Current exam |
|---|---|
| Questions | 50 scored questions plus 2 test questions that do not count |
| Pass mark | At least 44 of 50 correct |
| Time | 30 minutes (45 with extra time) |
| Question types | Traffic rules, insight and short silent animations of traffic situations |
| During the exam | You can change answers, go back and mark questions for review |
| Validity of a pass | 1.5 years |
CBR says the new exam is neither easier nor harder than the old one: the pass mark was set to keep the level the same. Arrive 15 minutes early and check in at the desk.
Source: CBR, renewed theory exam from 7 April (Dutch).
How much does the theory exam cost in 2026?
| Exam type | Time | Price 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (Dutch) | 30 minutes | €50.50 |
| English | 30 minutes | €57.00 |
| Extra time (Dutch) | 45 minutes | €64.00 |
| English with extra time | 45 minutes | €70.50 |
| Individually supervised, or with an interpreter | 45 minutes | €118.50, plus the interpreter's fee |
Source: CBR, tarieven 2026 (Dutch). English with extra time is the base price plus both surcharges.
CBR offers extra time for people who need more time, for example because of dyslexia or another condition, and refers to a dyslexia statement when you ask for a refund of the surcharge afterwards. Check the conditions in Mijn CBR before you book it.
Booking and ID rules for expats
- Make sure you are registered in the BRP and have a BSN and DigiD.
- Log in to Mijn CBR with DigiD and book the car (B) theory exam, choosing English and, if you want it, extra time. A driving school can also book it for you.
- Bring a valid ID and your reservation number to the exam centre.
Which ID counts
- The details on your ID must match your registration in the BRP.
- EU, EEA or Swiss citizens: a valid passport or national ID card.
- Everyone else: a valid Dutch residence document, or a valid passport together with a valid residence sticker or an article 9 letter from the IND.
A passport on its own is not enough for a non-EU citizen. If your residence card is being renewed, check what the IND gave you in the meantime before you book. You can sit the car theory exam from age 16.
Source: CBR, what is a valid identity document? (Dutch).
How to prepare in English
Most people combine a theory book with online practice exams. Make sure both cover the format used since April 2025, with animation questions, and are in English if that is the language you will sit the exam in.
- Priority rules are where expats lose most points: traffic from the right has priority at equal junctions, and cyclists are traffic too.
- Signs and road markings such as shark teeth (haaientanden) and the blue zone signs differ from many countries.
- Cyclists, mopeds and trams appear in many situations, so study how they interact with cars.
- Practise under the real time limit: 50 questions in 30 minutes leaves about 36 seconds each.
Dutch car theory books in English
Check the edition date before you buy: it should mention the exam renewed in April 2025.
Browse theory books on Amazon.nlAffiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
Living here helps too. Cycling teaches you Dutch priority rules from the other side, and our cycling safety guide covers the situations that also come up in the exam.
After the theory: lessons and the practical exam
Health declaration first
Fill in the health declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring) in Mijn CBR at the start of your lessons. It costs €46.90 in 2026, and CBR usually responds within 4 weeks. Your driving school cannot book the practical exam until CBR has declared you fit to drive.
Costs of the full route
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Health declaration | €46.90 |
| Theory exam in English | €57.00 |
| Driving lessons | 80% of learners pay €54 to €78 an hour; about 42.5 hours on average |
| Optional interim test (tussentijdse toets) | €143.50 |
| Practical exam | €143.50 |
| Licence from your municipality | Up to €53.65 |
| Average total according to CBR | About €3,625 |
Sources: CBR tarieven 2026 and CBR, costs of getting a licence (both Dutch). Lessons are the variable part: the average includes resits.
The practical exam and language
The practical exam is conducted in Dutch. You may bring an interpreter: a sworn interpreter with a valid interpreter's pass, or your own instructor if they speak your language and Dutch well and hold a valid WRM pass. Your driving school must register the interpreter when it books the exam. Since 2018, relatives and friends may no longer interpret. Many driving schools teach in English, so ask about this when you choose one.
Once you pass, apply for the licence at your municipality. Remember that new drivers are held to a stricter alcohol limit of 0.2 per mille for their first 5 years. Next steps are covered in our guides to buying a car and parking in Dutch cities.
Insuring your first car as a new driver
A new Dutch licence usually means starting without Dutch claim-free years. Allianz Direct publishes which foreign no-claims statements it accepts and lets you choose a €0, €250, €500 or €1.000 deductible, so you can see the trade-off before you buy.
Affiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
Compare more than one quote: our car insurance comparison explains WA, WA+ and all-risk cover and how claim-free years work.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the CBR theory exam in English?
Yes. The car (B) theory exam is available in English at all CBR exam centres. It costs €57.00 in 2026: the standard €50.50 plus a €6.50 surcharge for English. Other languages are only possible with an interpreter from an approved agency, booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
How many questions are on the Dutch car theory exam?
Since 7 April 2025 the exam has 50 questions plus 2 test questions that do not count. You need at least 44 correct answers to pass, and you have 30 minutes, or 45 with extra time. Some questions use short silent animations of traffic situations instead of the old photo-based hazard section.
How much does the theory exam cost in 2026?
€50.50 in Dutch, €57.00 in English, €64.00 with extra time, €70.50 in English with extra time, and €118.50 for an individually supervised exam or an exam with an interpreter, plus the interpreter's own fee. These are CBR's 2026 tariffs.
How long is a passed theory exam valid?
1.5 years from the day you pass. You must pass the practical exam within that time, or take the theory exam again.
What ID do I need for the theory exam as an expat?
A valid identity document whose details match your BRP registration. If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, bring a Dutch residence document, or your passport together with a valid residence sticker or article 9 letter. Without valid ID you cannot sit the exam.
Do I need to take the Dutch driving test if I have a foreign licence?
Only if your licence cannot be exchanged. EU and EEA licences can be exchanged directly, as can licences from countries with an exchange agreement and licences of people who have the 30% ruling. A non-EU licence is valid in the Netherlands for 185 days after you move here; after that you need a Dutch licence.
Can I take the practical driving exam in English?
The practical exam is conducted in Dutch. You may bring an interpreter: a sworn interpreter with a valid interpreter's pass, or your own driving instructor if they speak both languages well and hold a valid WRM pass. Family members and friends are not allowed to interpret.
How much does it cost to get a Dutch driving licence from scratch?
CBR estimates the average total at about €3,625, mostly driving lessons. 80% of learners pay €54 to €78 per lesson hour and need about 42.5 hours on average. Fixed CBR costs in 2026 are €46.90 for the health declaration, €50.50 or €57.00 for the theory exam and €143.50 for the practical exam.