On 1 January 2021 the transitional arrangement between the EU and Great Britain will expire, and Brexit will be final. Because there is still no Brexit deal, this could also have consequences for British lease car drivers who are staying in the Netherlands for an extended period of time.
Avoid a driving exam
There is a transitional arrangement in place until 31 December 2020, under which all current EU agreements and rules still apply to the UK. However, in the event of a No-deal Brexit, this transitional arrangement will expire and the rules for countries outside the EU will apply from 1 January 2021. This means that if you come to live in the Netherlands before 31 December, you may continue to drive with your British driving licence until the end of this year. Thereafter, the rules will switch to those applying to driving licences issued in a country other than an EU Member State. This would mean you would have to take a new exam to get a Dutch driving licence.
It may therefore be wise to exchange your driving licence for a Dutch driver’s licence before 31 December. All information about this can be found at https://www.government.nl/topics/brexit/question-and-answer/will-my-eu-driving-licence-still-be-valid-in-the-united-kingdom-after-brexit or https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-netherlands#driving.
Brexit deal
If a Brexit deal does eventuate, it’s possible that exchanging a British driving licence after the transitional arrangement may be included in it. However, this is by no means certain. We therefore advise you to play it safe and exchange your licence. This will prevent you having to find out that it is no longer possible to exchange your driving licence during the holidays and that you will have to take another driving exam.
Other foreign driving licences in the Netherlands
If you have a driving licence issued in one of the countries of the European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and you live in the Netherlands, you may continue to drive in the Netherlands for another 15 years. You can then choose to replace your foreign driving licence with a Dutch driving licence, without any further restrictions.
If you have a driving licence issued in another country, you can use this for 185 days after coming to live in the Netherlands. After that you are only allowed to drive in the Netherlands with a Dutch driving licence. In order to obtain this Dutch driving licence, you will have to take another theoretical and practical exam at the CBR.