Learn. Practice. Pass.

The driving theory exam for the car driving licence consists of 50 questions and is taken on a computer with a touchscreen.

There are several types of questions:

• open questions (enter a number)
• multiple choice (three options)
• multiple response questions (multiple answers can be correct)
• yes/no questions
• drag questions (drag a number to the road user that has priority)
• hotspot questions (click on the correct image)

The questions may include images and short video animations. You can practise all question types in the course.

The exam result is valid for 1.5 years. You must get your driving licence within that period, otherwise you need to retake the theory exam.

During the English CBR theory test you can still encounter Dutch words that are not translated.

These are the 15 most important words to recognise:

• APK - vehicle inspection / MoT test
• Autoweg - expressway
• Bebouwde kom - built-up area
• Bromfiets - moped
• Snorfiets - low speed moped
• Erf / woonerf - home zone / residential zone
• Fietspad - cycle path
• Voorrang - priority / right of way
• Voorrang verlenen - give way / yield
• Kruispunt - intersection
• Rotonde - roundabout
• Rijstrook - lane
• Vluchtstrook - hard shoulder
• Parkeerschijf - parking disc
• Uitrit - driveway exit

The theory exam consists of 50 knowledge and insight questions.

Knowledge questions are, for example, about traffic rules, legislation, facts and vehicle requirements.

Insight questions are about applying traffic rules correctly and making the right decisions in traffic.

This is what you can expect at the centre where the exam is taken:

1. Make sure you are present 15 minutes in advance. Don't forget your ID and reservation number.
2. Enter your reservation number in the check-in kiosk.
3. Put your belongings in the locker (coats, bags, watches, electronic devices, including mobile phones, and metal objects, like keys).
4. Wait till it's your turn. Your number will appear on the information screen.
5. When it's your turn, walk to the counter where an employee checks your ID and gives you a table number.
6. Take your seat at the table with your table number and place your ID on the table.
7. Enter your reservation number and check if your email address is correct.
8. Press 'start' and follow the instructions on the screen.
9. You will see the test results directly after finishing the test.
10. You will receive the test results later by e-mail.

The theory test takes approximately 30 minutes.

You can also book a theory test with extra time. In that case you get 15 minutes extra.

You can make an appointment for a theory test in English on the website of the CBR (cbr.nl).

These are the rates for 2026:

• Theory exam € 50,50
• Theory exam in English € 57
• Extra time surcharge € 13,50
• Surcharge evening / weekend € 6,25
• Individual supervised theory exam € 118,50
• Theory exam with a translator € 118,50 (excluding the fee of the interpreting service)

When you have finished the theory exam, you will immediately see the results on the screen.

You will be able to see how well you have scored. If you reserved the exam yourself, you will also be sent the results form by e-mail later on.

On TheoryExamen.nl you can learn in several languages, but the official CBR theory exam is only available in Dutch and English.

If you want to take the CBR exam in a different language, you have to book the CBR exam with a translator.

You also need to book a translator at a translation company appointed by the CBR. We advise you to book a translator in time so you are sure there will be a translator available for your exam.

In the government exam, you cannot see which questions you answered incorrectly.

The government says about this that wrongly answered questions are often remembered and it is therefore not a good way to prepare for your next exam if you have failed.

Also, you will get different questions on the next government exam. In addition, the government wants to protect the content of the government exams because some people have used the viewing of the wrongly answered questions for wrong purposes.

You do receive a result document by email where you can see in which subjects you had mistakes. This way, you will know which subjects you need to learn extra if you had not passed.