Everyone living in the Netherlands who wants to drive a car must possess a valid driving license. Unfortunately, foreign residents can only use their original licenses for a limited period, varying from 185 days to a year, depending on where the license was obtained.
After the end of this transition period, you need a Dutch driving license. This can be obtained by passing a theory exam and driving test. For holders of a non-exchangeable driving license, category B (passenger cars) it is possible to take what is known as the special 'accelerated' test. This test takes into account that an applicant has driving experience. If, however, one fails this test, the regular theory exam and driving test has to be taken.
Taking one's driving test again takes time and money. Is it worth it, what are the problems, and what do the Dutch driving instructors think of the influx of foreign students?
When asked about the language barrier for international students in particular, the instructor from the Multinational driving school claims: 'It doesn't exist. My school offers lessons in world languages like German and English.' Also the regular written exam can be replaced by an oral version.
But not only language can be an obstacle for foreigners who already have a driving license. Angelo Poledda from driving school Brünen, asserts: 'How many lessons anyone needs, depends on driving experience and personality, but also on the country of origin. People from, for example, Yugoslavia or Morocco will need several lessons to learn Dutch driving rules. But almost everyone from Africa needs more than 20 lessons."
One PhD-student from India with several months of driving experience in his own country needed 15 lessons. He claims: "I had very little knowledge of the rules when I started with the practical lessons and therefore had some difficulty getting used to them. This is because I was not used to any rules when driving in India. Matters were made worse by the fact that in India we drive on the opposite side of the road as compared to the Netherlands. I got hold of a theory book in English from the driving instructor. After a few lessons I was quite comfortable with the rules.
'In my opinion, for a student, learning to drive in the Netherlands is a luxury. The lessons are expensive and the test itself costs a lot. It does not cost a lot of time. A lesson is roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour depending upon the driving school. In my case I had to put in a total of 20 hours. That is nothing compared to the benefits that you enjoy when you are allowed to drive in the Netherlands.'
