How does the Dutch car theory exam work?

The Dutch car theory exam takes 30 minutes and has 50 exam questions. You pass with at least 44 right, so you can make 6 mistakes. Below you’ll find how the exam is built up and what happens on the day itself, so nothing on the day comes as a surprise.

Taking the exam in English? You can, and it is the same exam. Here is how the English exam works.

How many questions do you get?

You answer 52 questions. 50 of them count for your result. The other 2 are test questions.

CBR fact, checked on 16 October 2026. The theory exam has 50 questions. It also contains 2 test questions that don’t count for the result, so you answer 52 questions in total. Before the exam starts, you first answer 2 practice questions. Those don’t count either. Source: cbr.nl.

The CBR has switched to a new exam system at all its theory locations. You start the exam in a new way, but the questions cover the same material.

CBR fact, checked on 16 October 2026. The CBR has switched to CAS, a new system for running theory exams, at all 20 of its theory locations. The content of the exams hasn’t changed. At the desk you get a slip with an exam code, you pick a free seat in the exam room and start the exam with that code. The screen looks a little different. The 2 practice questions fall within the exam time. Source: cbr.nl and cbr.nl.

So the 2 practice questions come out of your 30 minutes. They still don’t count for your result. On the day, just follow the instructions on the screens and from the staff.

How many mistakes can you make?

You can make 6 mistakes in the 50 exam questions.

CBR fact, checked on 16 October 2026. You need at least 44 of the 50 exam questions right to pass. The 2 test questions don’t count. Source: cbr.nl.

With 7 or more mistakes in the exam questions, you fail.

What changed on 7 April 2025?

On 7 April 2025 the Dutch car theory exam got a new format. If you find tips online about three parts or a photo test, they describe the old exam.

CBR fact, checked on 16 October 2026. Until 7 April 2025 the exam had 65 questions in three parts: hazard perception (25 questions), knowledge (12) and insight (28). Each part had its own pass mark and all three had to be passed. Since then it has 50 questions in one continuous test, and you pass with at least 44 right within 30 minutes. You get one result. The photo test is gone: the CBR now tests hazard perception with animated videos without sound. Source: cbr.nl.

How long does the exam take?

The regular exam takes 30 minutes.

CBR fact, checked on 16 October 2026. The regular theory exam takes 30 minutes. The exam with extra time and the individually supervised exam both take 45 minutes. Source: cbr.nl.

Plan for more than 30 minutes for the whole visit. Signing in and checking in take time too.

What kinds of questions are there?

You answer every question on a computer. The CBR uses these types:

• Drag question: you drag numbers to the right places in a picture, for example to show who goes first, second and third.
• Single drag question: you drag one tick mark to the right place in the picture.
• Fill-in question: you type a number with the keyboard that appears on the screen.
• Hotspot question: you tap the right answer in the picture.
• Yes/no and multiple choice question: you pick yes or no, or one answer from two or more options.
• Multiple response question: more than one answer can be right.

The CBR shows an example of each type on cbr.nl. Practise all of them before you go. Then you won’t lose time on the controls during the exam.

What do you bring?

You bring a valid ID; your reservation number is in the email from the CBR.

CBR fact, checked on 16 October 2026. Bring a valid ID. The details on it must match the Personal Records Database (BRP) of your municipality, or you can’t take the exam. Your reservation number is in the letter or email from the CBR. Wear clothes that are allowed at the theory exam. Source: cbr.nl.

What happens on the day

Be at the exam centre 15 minutes early. Then you go through these steps:

1. Sign in at the kiosk. You enter your reservation number and check your details.
2. Wait. The screens in the waiting room show your reservation number with a status. At “Spullen in de locker” (things in the locker), you put everything except your ID in a locker. At “Ga naar start examen” (go to start exam), it’s your turn and you go to the desk.
3. Check in. A security officer uses a handheld scanner to check that you have no devices on you. At the desk, staff check your ID and give you a table number.
4. The exam. You put your ID on the table, enter your reservation number, check that your email address is right and choose “Start”.
5. Your result. You see it on the screen right after you finish.
6. Home. You collect your things from the locker.

The CBR also has a video of the whole visit on its page about the theory exam.

Go in well prepared

Practice exams show you how close you are to 44 out of 50. Taking your exam from 1 October 2026? Then also read what changes in the questions on driver assistance systems. And once you pass, this is how long your result stays valid. Failed before? Here is how to prepare differently for the retake.

Want to study in English from start to finish? Practise with the online car theory course.

See the courses in English.