Minimum age for a car driving licence in the Netherlands (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: Category B can be obtained from 18, and from 17 with a coach, for driving in the Netherlands only.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence18 years [1]
Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence17 years [1]
Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licenceFrom 17 a driver may hold a licence with an escort pass (begeleiderspas) and drive with a named coach until age 18. The coach must be at least 27 and have held a valid Dutch car licence for at least five years. [2]
Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The escort pass allows driving in the Netherlands only.
  • The RDW and Rijksoverheid pages on foreign licences state no minimum age for visitors.

Sources

  1. RDW: Rijbewijscategorieën | RDW (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. RDW: Begeleiderspas aanvragen en coach aanmelden | RDW (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.