Is the Dutch theory exam hard? How often people pass at the CBR

The Dutch theory exam is very passable, but you do need to practise for it. In 2025, 40.0% of car theory exams were passed. For the motorcycle it was 62.8% and for the moped 44.7%. Those figures come from the CBR’s 2025 annual report.

How many people pass the theory exam?

For the car, about 4 in 10 theory exams are passed. For the motorcycle it is just over 6 in 10.

CBR fact, checked on 30 October 2026. In 2025 the CBR held 637,447 car (B) theory exams. 255,192 of them were passed, which is 40.0%. For the motorcycle (A) it was 62.8% and for the moped (AM) 44.7%. In 2024 it was 39.7% for the car, 62.2% for the motorcycle and 44.3% for the moped. Source: CBR annual report 2025 (Dutch).

Look at what the CBR counts. The percentage is about exams, not people. If you fail and take the exam again, you count twice. So a low percentage doesn’t mean that 6 in 10 people never get their theory.

The CBR doesn’t publish a separate pass rate for the exam in English in this report.

Is the new car exam easier?

The pass rate for the car went up a little after the new exam.

CBR fact, checked on 30 October 2026. Since 7 April 2025 the CBR has used a renewed theory exam for the B licence. According to the CBR, this led to a slight rise in the pass rate, so candidates needed fewer (re)takes on average. Source: CBR annual report 2025 (Dutch).

The difference is small, from 39.7% in 2024 to 40.0% in 2025. You still need to practise properly.

Why do so many people fail?

You can only make a few mistakes. For the car you pass with 44 of the 50 questions right, so with 7 mistakes you fail. The limit is different for the motorcycle and the moped. You can find it per category in how many mistakes you can make.

On top of that you only have 30 minutes. If you practise at home without a clock, the time can catch you out on the day. So take your practice exams against the clock too. How to do that is in making the most of practice exams.

Do you have dyslexia? Then you can ask for extra time. How that works is in extra time for dyslexia in the Dutch theory exam.

And if you fail anyway?

You’re far from the only one, and you can simply try again. Look at where your mistakes were and practise exactly those topics. What to do after failing the car theory exam shows how to tackle the retake differently.

How to give yourself a better chance

Learn the material first. Then practise with exams until you are well under the limit. Can you do that a few times in a row? Then you’re ready!

See the courses in English.