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Contents
- 1. CBR exam fees 2026 at a glance
- 2. Theory exam: standard, English, extra time and interpreter
- 3. Practical exam and interim test
- 4. What a driving licence costs in total
- 5. Waiting times for the practical exam
- 6. Retakes: how long you must wait
- 7. Step by step: from theory to licence
- 8. FAQ
- 🇳🇱 Dutch Corner
- Sources
Prices, fees and rules in this article were checked on 28 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked pages before you decide.
The CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen), the Dutch driving test authority, raised its fees for 2026 by an average of 3.6%. According to the CBR, the car theory exam now costs €50.50 and the practical car exam €143.50, up from €48.75 and €138.50 in 2025. The theory exam in English costs €57.00. On top of these fees come driving lessons and the driving school’s own charges, and the CBR’s latest survey puts the average total cost of a car licence in the first half of 2026 at €3,625. This guide lists the official CBR fees, the waiting times the CBR reports, the retake rules and the steps to a Dutch licence.
1. CBR exam fees 2026 at a glance
The CBR announced the 2026 fees on 14 October 2025, after approval by the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management. The CBR says its fees cover costs and are set without a profit motive. The 3.6% average rise equals the increase in the consumer price index, and includes 0.3 percentage points for delivering licence suspension decisions in person.
| CBR product (car, category B) | 2026 fee | 2025 fee |
|---|---|---|
| Theory exam (also motorbike A and moped AM) | €50.50 | €48.75 |
| Theory exam in English | €57.00 | Not listed in the sources used |
| Theory exam with extra time | €64.00 | Not listed in the sources used |
| Theory exam with an interpreter, or individually supervised | €118.50 | Not listed in the sources used |
| Practical exam car (B), interim test (B-TTT) and car with trailer (BE) | €143.50 | €138.50 |
| Practical exam for candidates with exam anxiety (faalangstexamen) | €202.00 | Not listed in the sources used |
| Health declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring), medical assessment | €46.90 | €45.25 |
| Licence card from the municipality | Up to €53.65 (urgent: €39.65 extra) | Not listed in the sources used |
Source: CBR, “Tarieven CBR 2026 gemiddeld 3,6 procent hoger” (14 October 2025) and “Wat kost het halen van een autorijbewijs?”, checked 28 October 2026.
2. Theory exam: standard, English, extra time and interpreter
The CBR charges a fixed price of €50.50 for the car theory exam. Extra costs can apply: postage if you apply by post, and a fee if your driving school books the exam for you. The other options, according to the CBR:
- In English: €57.00. The standard car theory exam can be taken in English.
- With extra time: €64.00. This is the standard fee plus a €13.50 surcharge. If you have a dyslexia statement, you can reclaim the surcharge via Mijn CBR within 14 days after the exam.
- With an interpreter or individually supervised: €118.50. You arrange and pay the interpreter yourself.
The CBR advises taking the theory exam after you have started driving lessons.
3. Practical exam and interim test
The practical car exam costs €143.50, and so does the optional interim test (tussentijdse toets). Your driving school pays this fee to the CBR. The CBR explains that the school also charges you for administration, use of the car, the instructor’s presence and, often, a lesson just before the exam, so the price you pay the school is higher than the CBR fee.
In 2025 the CBR temporarily stopped offering the interim test to free up exam slots. In February 2026 it reported that the test was back in Zeeland, Limburg and six other provinces, and that the Randstad would follow before 1 April.
4. What a driving licence costs in total
The CBR asks candidates who have just passed how many lessons and exams they needed and what they paid. Its figures:
| CBR survey | Average total cost | Lessons |
|---|---|---|
| Candidates who passed in 2025 (published 27 March 2026) | €3,320 | 41 lessons on average |
| First half of 2026 (survey July to August 2026) | €3,625 | 42.5 lesson hours on average |
Source: CBR news item of 27 March 2026 and CBR cost page, checked 28 October 2026.
For the 2025 group, the CBR broke the €3,320 down into €2,528 for lessons, €120 for theory exams (on average 2.5 attempts), €505 for practical exams (on average 2 attempts, plus driving school costs and a lesson before the exam) and €165 for other costs such as the health declaration, interim test, photos and the licence card. For the 2026 survey, the CBR reports that 80% of candidates paid between €54 and €78 per lesson hour. It notes that lesson length differs per school (for example 50 minutes or 90 minutes), and advises comparing pass rates as well as prices when choosing a school.
5. Waiting times for the practical exam
On 6 February 2026, the CBR reported that its booking times (reserveringstermijnen) for the car exam had been well under the agreed seven weeks at every location by the end of 2025. During the COVID-19 period they had risen to as much as 22 weeks. The CBR credits the temporary suspension of the interim test, which freed 75,000 slots for regular exams.
For the current situation, the CBR publishes maps on its website showing, per exam location, from when there are at least four weeks in a row with enough exam slots. Your driving school can see the exact available slots, so you set the exam date together with your instructor.
6. Retakes: how long you must wait
- After failing the practical exam: you may take the exam again from the 14th day after the exam date.
- After an exam stopped for dangerous driving: for the car exam you must wait at least 15 weeks, according to the CBR’s FAQ. There are no exceptions.
The CBR’s 2025 survey found that candidates needed on average 2.5 attempts for the theory exam and 2 for the practical exam.
7. Step by step: from theory to licence
- Choose a driving school. The CBR suggests comparing lesson length, price and pass rates.
- Start lessons, then book the theory exam via Mijn CBR (€50.50, or €57.00 in English).
- Fill in the health declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring) via Mijn CBR. The CBR lists it among the costs of getting a licence; it is used to assess whether you are fit to drive.
- Optionally take the interim test (€143.50 plus school costs).
- Your school books the practical exam (€143.50 plus school costs).
- After passing, apply for the licence card at your municipality (up to €53.65 in 2026).
If you already hold a licence from another country, you may not need to take exams. See our guide to exchanging a foreign driving licence in the Netherlands. Once you drive, our guide to Dutch traffic fines lists the official amounts.
8. FAQ
How much is the CBR theory exam in 2026?
€50.50 for the standard car theory exam, or €57.00 in English, according to the CBR.
How much is the CBR practical driving exam in 2026?
The CBR fee is €143.50. Your driving school adds its own costs for the car, the instructor and administration.
Can I take the Dutch theory exam in English?
Yes. The CBR offers the standard car theory exam in English for €57.00.
How long is the waiting time for the CBR driving test?
The CBR reported that booking times were well under seven weeks at all locations at the end of 2025. Check the CBR’s location maps or ask your driving school for current slots.
How much does a Dutch driving licence cost in total?
On average €3,625 in the first half of 2026, according to a CBR survey of exam candidates. Most of this is driving lessons.
When can I retake the practical exam?
From the 14th day after a failed exam. If the exam was stopped because of dangerous driving, you must wait at least 15 weeks for the car exam.
🇳🇱 Dutch Corner
| Dutch | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| het rijbewijs | driving licence | Ik wil mijn rijbewijs halen. (I want to get my driving licence.) |
| het theorie-examen | theory exam | Het theorie-examen kost €50,50. (The theory exam costs €50.50.) |
| het praktijkexamen | practical exam | Mijn praktijkexamen is volgende maand. (My practical exam is next month.) |
| de rijschool | driving school | De rijschool plant het examen. (The driving school schedules the exam.) |
| de rijles | driving lesson | Ik heb twee rijlessen per week. (I have two driving lessons a week.) |
| de tussentijdse toets | interim test | De tussentijdse toets is een oefenexamen. (The interim test is a practice exam.) |
| afrijden | to take the driving test | Ik rijd morgen af. (I take my driving test tomorrow.) |
Sources
- CBR: Tarieven CBR 2026 gemiddeld 3,6 procent hoger (14 October 2025, checked 28 October 2026)
- CBR: Wat kost het halen van een autorijbewijs? (checked 28 October 2026)
- CBR: B-rijbewijs halen kostte vorig jaar gemiddeld 3.320 euro (27 March 2026)
- CBR: Wachttijd auto-examens eind 2025 overal ruim onder de zeven weken (6 February 2026)
- CBR: Wanneer kan ik praktijkexamen auto doen? (checked 28 October 2026)
- CBR: Wanneer mag ik herexamen doen? (checked 28 October 2026)
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