FAQ & Tips

It doesn’t matter whether you currently hold a valid driver’s license from abroad. To join our crash course for the Dutch driving license, what truly matters is that you have enough previous driving experience to participate safely and effectively.

The best way to find out if this intensive driving course in the Netherlands is right for you is to book a non-binding Intake test. After this test, you’ll receive a detailed and personalized report by email — including all requirements for the Dutch driving exam, your areas for improvement, and a realistic timeline to obtain your Dutch driver’s license.

The Intake is completely obligation-free, so you can decide afterwards if and how you’d like to continue.

Our intake is comparable to the practical exam at the CBR. All exam components are covered during this ride.

This way we can assess whether you can pass the Dutch practical exam in as little as a week with the help of our program. Or that you need a number of more driving lessons and/or a mock exam at the CBR.

Yes, we recommend that you pass the theory exam before taking the Intake test.

A solid understanding of traffic rules and right-of-way principles is essential for effective driving. By completing the theory exam beforehand, you'll be better prepared to apply this knowledge during your practical lessons and the Intake Test.

This approach not only enhances your confidence but also allows us to tailor the Arrive & Drive™ programme more effectively to your needs.

If you'd like assistance in preparing for the theory exam, feel free to ask!

Already passed it?
Great! But double-check that you still know the (priority) rules, it really pays off during your Intake.

Knowing and applying priority rules is the most underestimated factor when it comes to quickly obtaining your Dutch driving license.

Anticipatory driving behaviour is essential for safe driving—and it's also a key factor in passing your practical exam at the CBR.

Anticipation means proactively assessing traffic situations, predicting potential hazards, and adjusting your driving accordingly. This skill not only enhances safety but also demonstrates to the examiner that you are a competent and responsible driver.

During the CBR practical exam, examiners pay close attention to your ability to anticipate and respond to dynamic traffic conditions. Effective anticipation can make the difference between passing and failing.

Using all mirrors consistantly while driving in car is also free of costs at LesDirect. 😉

During the Intake and mock exam, we often see the following mistakes:

• ⛔ Braking too often without reason
• ↪️ Taking turns too wide or cutting left corners
• 🐢 Taking too long to return to the maximum speed
• 🚀 Approaching unclear situations too quickly
• 👀 Poor observation when swerving or performing manoeuvres
• 🧱 Not yielding correctly in right-of-way situations
• 🧠 Difficulty applying theory in real traffic
• 🔁 Inconsistent mirror use and blind spot checks
• 🔁 Tension while driving, affecting decisions and performance

Yes that is allowed. If you pass the CBR Practical Exam B in a manual car, you are allowed to drive a manual car, automatic/electric car.

If you pass your driving test in an automatic car, your licence will be restricted to automatic vehicles only (indicated by code 78). This means you are not permitted to drive a manual (stick-shift) car.

However, you can upgrade your licence to include manual vehicles at any time. To do this, you'll need to take and pass a practical driving test in a manual car. There's no need to retake the theory exam. Once you pass the manual practical test, the restriction will be removed, allowing you to drive both manual and automatic vehicles.

This flexibility enables you to start driving sooner with an automatic licence and, if desired, expand your driving capabilities later on.

The CBR mock exam is a practice driving exam offered by the CBR.

A mock exam is a practical driving exam conducted by a CBR examiner. It mirrors the actual driving test, providing a realistic experience without the pressure of passing or failing. This test is not mandatory but is highly recommended for several reasons:

• Familiarisation: It helps you become accustomed to the test environment and procedures.

• Feedback: The examiner provides valuable insights into your driving skills, highlighting areas that need improvement.

• Exemptions: If you perform special manoeuvres correctly during the TTT, you may be exempted from repeating them in your actual driving test.

Research indicates that taking a TTT can increase your chances of passing the final driving test by up to 20%. 

It will reduce stress and boost your confidence.

Or to help you understand what is expected of you during the actual exam.

A CBR examiner will assess your driving skills based on the same criteria as the final exam. Your driving instructor joins you in the car, so you’ll both get a clear picture of what still needs improvement before the real test.

Can I skip certain parts of the real exam if I do well?

es! If you perform the special manoeuvres (such as parking or turning) correctly during your mock exam, you’ll receive an exemption for these parts during your actual practical exam. One less thing to worry about!

According to the CBR regulations, you can take your first re-examination after at least two weeks. Depending if you have had followed our advise we can schedule your re-take also directly after two weeks.

Otherwise, you will still have to follow our advise first before you may do a re-take as soon as possible.

The examiner will assess the following 7 key areas:

1. Moving off

2. Driving on straight and curved roads

3. Handling intersections

4. Merging and exiting

5. Overtaking and changing lanes

6. Special road sections such as roundabouts

7. Special manoeuvres*

*If not already exempted during your mock exam.

Yes, you take the practical exam in the same car that you use during your driving training on public roads.

On your first training day, you'll drive different cars. This helps improve overall vehicle control and, in the case of manual transmission, develop a better feel for clutch control.

A practical exam can be scheduled within approximately one week if:

1. You have passed the theory exam and your knowledge (especially of priority rules) is fully up to standard;

2. Your intake test shows that the standard program is sufficient for you;

3. Your intake test shows that the standard program plus a maximum of 3 to 4 additional driving hours is sufficient;

4. You are fully available at the exam location where capacity is currently available.

In the fastest scenario, where the standard program meets your needs, we can schedule an exam date within one week after your start date.
If you need a few more lessons and you're flexible, it's still possible to complete the process in about a week.

Note:
If you need more than 7 driving hours after the initial one-day training, expect the process to take a bit longer than one week.

Make sure to choose the right category: manual or automatic.
If you haven’t driven a manual car for a while, it's best to choose automatic.

Switching back to manual often takes more time and effort than expected. If you're unsure, automatic may be the smarter and more efficient choice — especially if your goal is to get your Dutch license quickly and with confidence.

Note:
To speed up the process toward your Dutch driving license, you can first pass the practical exam in an automatic car.
After gaining a few weeks or months of driving experience in the Netherlands, you can return for a few manual lessons and retake the exam in a manual  car — allowing you to drive both.

The Arrive & Drive™ program has manual, automatic transmission and electric cars available.

We welcome expats and internationals from all over the Netherlands.
Pickup starts from the central NS stations in Eindhoven, Venlo, or Maastricht.

Of course! Expats living throughout the Netherlands know where to find us!

We have a pick-up and delivery service from Eindhoven, Venlo or Maastricht Central Station. We can also arrange an overnight stay if desired.

The one-day training focused on driving skills and insight takes place at our RBWE Driving Skills Center, located at the paddock of Motorsport Circuit Raceway, Peelweg 47, Ysselsteyn.
The training runs from 10:00 to 17:00.

• The session is led by a certified driving ability expert

• Lunch, drinks, and a positive learning environment are included
  
  

If you're arriving by car, you're welcome on site from 10:00 AM.
When you enter the premises, you can park your car about 500 meters further on the right-hand side along the fence.
Our reception area will be on your left-hand side.

Absolutely! All lessons are conducted in English to ensure clear communication.

Not always – it depends on your recent driving experience.
If you haven’t driven regularly for several years — especially while living in the Netherlands — it’s unrealistic to expect to pass your Dutch driving exam in as little as a week.

Even with prior experience, driving in the Netherlands has its own rules and challenges. That’s why we always recommend a proper intake to get you fully prepared and confident.