A pair of black trainers and a cardboard box on a wooden bench
Photo: via Kampus Production

On the day itself you only bring three things. The real work happens in the weeks before: your theory, your health declaration and the authorisation for your driving school. Here you see what has to be arranged beforehand and what goes in your bag that morning.

What to arrange beforehand

Three things have to be in order before your test can go ahead. They all take some time, so don't start on them in the week of your test.

A valid theory certificate

Your theory result is valid for one and a half years, counting from the day you passed. It has to be valid when we book your test and still valid on the day itself. You don't need to bring it: the examiner can see in the system that you passed.

An approved Gezondheidsverklaring

You fill in this health declaration yourself at mijn.cbr.nl with your DigiD, and you pay for it straight away; the amount is on the CBR's cost page. The CBR tells you within about four weeks what happens next, so arrange it well in advance. How filling it in works, you read in Sorting out your Gezondheidsverklaring.

Your driving school authorised

With your DigiD you give us permission at mijn.cbr.nl to book your practical exam. As soon as that is done, you and we both get a confirmation by email. Without that authorisation we cannot book a date. Step by step, it's in Authorising your driving school with the CBR.

What goes in your bag

Three things come with you: your valid ID, the confirmation of your practical exam and the Zelfreflectie form. You download that self-reflection form from the CBR or ask us for it. Fill it in beforehand and print it out; after the drive you go through it with your examiner.

Which ID is valid? Choose your nationality.

You have Dutch nationality

Bring a Dutch passport, a Dutch ID card or your Dutch driving licence. The licence may be expired.

You are from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland

Your passport or ID card from that country is fine, and so is a valid Dutch residence document or a Dutch driving licence, even if it has expired.

You are from outside the EU

Bring your foreign passport with a valid residence sticker or a valid article 9 letter, or your Dutch residence document. A Dutch travel document for refugees or foreigners works too, as does a Dutch driving licence.

It always has to be the original document, in your name and with a passport photo.

The day itself

Make sure you are at the test centre in good time. Arriving late can cost you your exam and your booking.

Beyond that there is little to do. We pick you up and you take the test in the lesson car you practised in. Wear shoes that let you feel the pedals, switch your phone off or to silent and don't plan anything tightly after your test. How the exam itself goes, you read in How the practical exam works.

Sources: CBR: what to bring to the practical exam, CBR: valid identity documents

Driving licence help offers general explanations. For your own situation, the CBR, the RDW and other authorities are decisive. Also read the disclaimer (in Dutch).