Cost of a driving licence in the Netherlands 2026: €3,625 on average

What does a driving licence cost on average in 2026?

In July and August 2026 the CBR asked almost 1,400 candidates who had just passed what their licence had cost. Those who passed in the first half of 2026 spent €3,625 on average. A year earlier it was €3,320. The CBR names the sharp rise in fuel prices as a possible main reason. The region, the type of car and the length of a lesson also make a difference.

Where does most of the money go?

Driving lessons. The average candidate took 42.5 lessons. 80% of candidates paid between €54 and €78 for an hour’s lesson. So the number of lessons you need decides most of your bill.

The exams themselves cost less, but they add up if you need more attempts. Candidates took the theory exam 2.6 times and the practical exam 2 times on average. Every theory attempt you don’t need saves €50.50. Every practical exam you don’t have to retake saves €143.50 plus what your driving school charges.

Fixed CBR and municipality fees in 2026

The CBR amounts are the same for everyone. What your driving school adds on top differs per school, and your municipality sets its own price, up to the maximum.

You pay for the practical exam and the interim test through your driving school, which passes it on to the CBR. Your driving school may also charge its own costs, for example for admin, use of the car or a lesson just before the exam. Ask in advance what your school charges.

How to keep the costs down

• Don’t compare driving schools on price alone. The CBR advises looking at their pass rates too, with the driving school finder (rijschoolzoeker) on cbr.nl.
• Check what a lesson package includes: how many lessons, and how long is a lesson? At one school it is an hour, at another 50 minutes or an hour and a half.
• Book your theory exam yourself through Mijn CBR. Other websites often charge more, and a driving school that books for you often charges service or admin fees.
• Watch for extra theory costs: an exam in English, with extra time, individually supervised, or in the evening or at the weekend costs more.
• Prepare well for theory. The average is 2.6 attempts, so every attempt you save is money in your pocket.
• Does an offer look too good to be true? According to the CBR, it often is.