Before you start

Registered in the BRP at an Amsterdam address with a BSN — you cannot start the exchange before this
A foreign driving licence that is still valid (not expired, not suspended)
For the test-free route: an active 30% ruling decision (beschikking) — or your sponsoring family member's ruling if you are their partner/adult child at the same address
For non-EU/EEA licences: in most cases a Certificate of Fitness (VvG) from the CBR, obtained via a health declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring)

Step-by-step

1
Register in the BRP and get your BSN first
Book a registration appointment at an Amsterdam Stadsloket. This is the gate: the 185-day clock to exchange runs from your municipal registration date, and the gemeente cannot lodge a licence exchange before you are registered. Do this in your first week.
In personWho: You, at an Amsterdam StadsloketWeek 1; appointment usually within daysFree
2
Check which route applies to your licence
On rdw.nl confirm your status: EU/EEA = exchange freely. Non-EU from a designated country (UK, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, Quebec/Alberta and others) = exchangeable, but check the category limits (many give car category B only). Hold the 30% ruling = exchange any licence regardless of country, no test. Otherwise = you must take the Dutch theory + practical exam.
OnlineWho: You, via the RDW exchangeability checkSame dayFree
3
Get a CBR health declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring) if required
For non-EU/EEA exchanges (including the 30%-ruling route) you normally need a Certificate of Fitness. Buy and complete the Gezondheidsverklaring online via Mijn CBR. If you declare no issues, approval is usually quick; if the CBR wants extra medical info it can take up to ~4 months, so start early. The certificate is valid for 1 year. EU/EEA swaps usually skip this.
OnlineWho: You, via Mijn CBRDays if no follow-up; up to ~4 months if a medical review is triggered€46.90 (CBR, 2026)
4
Apply at the Amsterdam gemeente; it forwards to the RDW
Go to a Stadsloket with your foreign licence, passport/ID or residence permit, a recent passport photo, your 30% ruling decision (if using that route) and your CBR fitness certificate. The gemeente takes your application and sends it to the RDW; you surrender your foreign licence. The new Dutch licence is ready to collect about a week after the gemeente's letter.
In personWho: You, at an Amsterdam Stadsloket; processed by the RDWRDW approval ~2-4 weeks; collect ~5 working days after the letter~€65 issuing fee (Amsterdam)

Documents you’ll need

Valid foreign driving licence (sworn translation if it uses a non-Latin script)
Valid passport, ID card or Dutch residence permit, plus BSN / BRP registration
Recent colour passport photo (Dutch photo-matrix standard)
30% ruling decision (beschikking) — for the test-free route — and/or the CBR Certificate of Fitness for non-EU exchanges

Things most newcomers don’t know

The 30% ruling lets you (and your partner and adult kids at the same address) swap ANY foreign licence for a Dutch one with zero tests — the single biggest perk in this whole process.

Normally a US, Australian, Indian, Chinese or Brazilian licence is non-exchangeable and means sitting the full Dutch theory and practical exam. The ruling turns that into a paperwork exercise — one of the most valuable and least-known benefits of the 30% ruling.

Source: RDW; ACCESS NL

Exchange while the ruling is still active — but the resulting Dutch licence is permanent.

The test-free privilege ends the moment your 30% ruling expires. Wait too long and you lose the shortcut and may face the full test. Once exchanged, the Dutch licence keeps its normal 10-year validity regardless of the ruling.

Source: RDW

Being from a 'designated country' often gets you category B (car) only — not your motorcycle or truck entitlements.

Newcomers from the UK, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan etc. assume a full swap, but the RDW list restricts categories per country. Motorcycle (A) or larger categories may be dropped, forcing a separate Dutch test for those.

Source: RDW; IamExpat

Your foreign licence is only legal to drive on for 185 days from your registration date — even from a designated country.

Miss that window and you are required to take the Dutch exams even if your country had an exchange agreement, because the right to exchange lapses with the grace period. Register and start the exchange early.

Source: IamExpat; RDW

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming a US, most-Canadian, Australian, Indian or Chinese licence can be swapped: without the 30% ruling these are non-designated and require the full Dutch theory + practical test.
Letting the 185-day grace period expire: you then lose the right to exchange (even from a designated country) and must take the Dutch exams — a costly, months-long detour.
Forgetting the CBR health declaration: for non-EU/30%-ruling exchanges the gemeente needs your Certificate of Fitness, and a triggered medical review can take up to ~4 months.
Bringing a licence in a non-Latin script without a sworn (beëdigd) translation, or a passport photo that fails the Dutch standard — both get you sent away.