As a rule, residents of the Netherlands are required to have a Dutch driver’s license. There are a number of exceptions, however, to this rule. If you have a license issued by one of the member states of the European Union, you may use this license for up to one year after registering in the Netherlands. If you have a license from a country outside of the European Union, you may drive on your foreign license for 6 months from when you register as a resident of the Netherlands. After this period you will either have to pass a Dutch driving test or exchange your license. The exchange of driving license is only available if your driving license is still valid.

Exchanging your license, how does it work?
When you are entitled to the 30% tax ruling, you or your family member(s) may exchange your foreign driver's license. At the city hall you can request the forms for exchanging your license.
Apart from the request forms you'll need the following documents:
- A letter from the tax office in Heerlen saying you or your family member(s) are entitled to the 30% ruling benefits
- Your original, valid driver's license
- A copy of your registration with the city hall
- A statement of capability
- Two identical, recent passport photos

After payment of city hall fees’ the entire request will be sent by city hall to the Ministry of Transport.

Note:
You can only exchange driving licenses issued in following countries if they are valid for the listed driving license category.

o Taiwan – B – passenger car - Netherlands driving license category B.
o Israel – B – passenger car - Netherlands driving license category B.
o Singapore – class 2 – motorbike more than 400 cubic cm – and class 3 - passenger car – Netherlands driving license categories A and B
o Andorra– passenger car - Netherlands driving license category B.
o South Korea – second class ordinary license –Netherlands driving license category B.
o Canadian province of Quebec – class 5 - Netherlands driving license category B.

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