Where to exchange a foreign driving licence in the Netherlands

Applications start at your municipality, so pick your city

Only your municipality can send an exchange application to the RDW, so you apply where you are registered. Where you book, whether you phone first and when you collect the new licence once the RDW has checked your application all depend on the municipality.

1 office in Haarlem
  • Haarlem

    Gemeente Haarlem — Publiekshal Raakspoort

    Zijlvest 39, 2011 VB Haarlem

    Book an exchange appointment, then watch for the letter, which either gives a decision or asks for missing documents.

    Prepare your foreign licence, compliant colour photo and any old Dutch licence. Follow RDW’s checklist for translations, CBR (Dutch driving test and medical fitness assessor) health evidence and an applicable tax-authority expat ruling. The Haarlem exchange fee is €53.65. Check the rules for driving while your licence is held by RDW (Dutch vehicle and driving licence authority) before planning travel. If your licence was issued outside the EU/EFTA and is nearing expiry, start the exchange process with the municipality before it expires. RDW says supplementary documents such as CBR health clearance can follow later; confirm submission arrangements with the municipality. If relying on the Ukrainian temporary-protection driving exception, check your status and RDW’s current guidance before applying ordinary driving deadlines. For an exchange, check the tax ruling and document-validity requirements separately: permission to drive with an expired Ukrainian licence does not guarantee that it can be exchanged.

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Exchange a foreign driving licence

For newcomers with a licence from another country: who can exchange, what to bring and what happens if an exchange is not possible.

Exchange a licence in the Netherlands