Learner drivers in the Netherlands applying for their driving licence will benefit from updated CBR medical assessment procedures for ADHD and autism starting December 1, 2025. This article clarifies the removal of automatic specialist referrals during a specific transition period, aiming to streamline the application process. Understanding these health declaration requirements is essential for a smooth journey towards obtaining your Dutch driving licence.
Obtaining your Dutch driving licence is a significant milestone, and understanding the requirements set by the CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen) is crucial. For individuals with ADHD and autism, the medical assessment process has historically involved specific procedures. However, recent changes, effective from December 1, 2025, are set to simplify this for many applicants. This article delves into these updates, explaining how they affect the Dutch driving licence application process and what you need to know as you prepare for your theory and practical exams. Understanding these nuances ensures a smoother path towards acquiring your licence, avoiding unexpected delays or confusion.
The CBR is the official body responsible for assessing the suitability of individuals to drive in the Netherlands. This involves evaluating not only theoretical knowledge and practical skills but also physical and mental fitness to drive safely. The Gezondheidsverklaring (Health Declaration) is a cornerstone of this process, where applicants answer questions about their health. For certain conditions, this declaration has historically triggered a referral to a medical specialist to further assess driving fitness. This ensures that all drivers on the road can operate their vehicles safely, protecting themselves and others.
A significant shift is occurring in how the CBR handles driving licence applications from individuals with ADHD and/or autism. Starting December 1, 2025, applicants who declare ADHD and/or autism on their Gezondheidsverklaring will, during a specific transitional period, no longer be automatically referred to a medical specialist for these conditions, provided no other medical issues are present. This change is a precursor to broader regulatory updates that aim to remove these conditions from the mandatory health declaration altogether by April 1, 2026. This interim measure is designed to streamline the process and provide clarity for a substantial group of applicants who have previously faced additional steps.
The primary goal of these changes is to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens and waiting times for applicants with ADHD and autism, while still ensuring road safety.
The period between December 1, 2025, and April 1, 2026, is a crucial transition phase. During this time, the CBR will implement the new approach regarding ADHD and autism. If you declare these conditions on your Gezondheidsverklaring and have no other reported medical issues that would necessitate further assessment, you will not be required to undergo the specialized medical examination for these specific conditions. This is a practical adjustment based on the CBR's assessment that the conditions themselves, when managed and without other complications, do not inherently pose an unacceptable risk to driving safety, allowing for a less stringent assessment for this period.
This practical step is part of the CBR's ongoing effort to adapt its procedures to current understanding and to make the driving licence application process more efficient and accessible. It acknowledges that many individuals with ADHD and autism are perfectly capable of driving safely. The CBR's medical advisors have determined that, during this interim period, waiving the immediate mandatory medical review for these conditions is responsible and beneficial for applicants.
Regardless of these upcoming changes, accurately and truthfully completing the Gezondheidsverklaring remains a legal obligation for all driving licence applicants. This declaration is your formal statement about your physical and mental health. It includes various questions designed to identify any potential health issues that could affect your ability to drive safely. It is imperative that you answer all questions honestly. Failure to do so can have serious consequences, potentially leading to the revocation of a licence even after it has been issued.
If you have any doubts about how to answer a question or whether a specific health condition might impact your driving, it is always best to consult with your doctor or your driving school beforehand. They can provide guidance and help you understand the implications of your health status concerning driving regulations in the Netherlands. For the AM (moped) driving licence, a Health Certificate is not required, allowing applicants for this specific licence category to bypass this particular step.
Always consult with a medical professional or your driving school if you are unsure about any aspect of the Health Declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring). Providing inaccurate information can lead to significant penalties.
The changes introduced on December 1, 2025, are part of a broader regulatory evolution. The anticipated complete removal of ADHD and autism from the Gezondheidsverklaring by April 1, 2026, signifies a further simplification. This means that, in the near future, declaring these conditions will not automatically trigger any medical review process related to them when applying for a standard driving licence. This is a significant development that will benefit many individuals, aligning the medical assessment process more closely with the reality that these conditions do not universally impede safe driving.
The CBR continuously reviews and updates its procedures to reflect current medical knowledge and best practices in road safety. These forthcoming changes underscore a move towards a more nuanced and individualized approach to medical assessments for driving licences, focusing on conditions that demonstrably impact driving ability.
While these medical assessment changes directly impact the application process for your driving licence, they are essential knowledge for learner drivers preparing for their theory exam. Understanding how the CBR operates, including its medical assessment procedures, forms part of a comprehensive understanding of traffic rules and regulations in the Netherlands. The theory exam may include questions that test your awareness of general licensing requirements and the importance of declaring health conditions. Therefore, staying informed about such changes ensures you are well-prepared not just for the theoretical test, but for the entire journey of becoming a licensed driver.
Q1: When do these new rules for ADHD and autism medical assessments take effect? A1: The new rules for the transitional period begin on December 1, 2025. The conditions are expected to be fully removed from the Gezondheidsverklaring by April 1, 2026.
Q2: Do I still need to mention ADHD or autism on my Health Declaration? A2: Yes, until they are fully removed from the form. However, during the transitional period (Dec 1, 2025 - Apr 1, 2026), if these are your only reported health conditions, you will likely not need a medical specialist referral.
Q3: What if I have ADHD and another medical condition? A3: If you have ADHD or autism along with other medical conditions that require a medical assessment, the standard procedure involving a specialist referral will still apply to those other conditions.
Q4: Does this affect my theory exam? A4: Directly, no. The theory exam focuses on traffic rules, signs, and safe driving behaviour. However, understanding licensing procedures is part of your overall preparation as a future driver.
Q5: Where can I find the official Health Declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring)? A5: You can fill out the Gezondheidsverklaring online via the official CBR website (mijn.cbr.nl).
These new regulations signify a positive step towards a more streamlined and accessible driving licence application process in the Netherlands, particularly for individuals with ADHD and autism. By staying informed about these changes and completing your Gezondheidsverklaring truthfully and thoroughly, you can navigate the requirements with greater confidence.
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Explore related topics, search based questions, and concepts that learners often look up when studying ADHD/Autism Licence Medical Rules. These themes reflect real search intent and help you understand how this topic connects to wider driving theory knowledge in the Netherlands.
Find clear and practical answers to common questions learners often have about ADHD/Autism Licence Medical Rules. This section helps explain difficult points, remove confusion, and reinforce the key driving theory concepts that matter for learners in the Netherlands.
The new rules, removing automatic specialist referrals for ADHD and autism during a transition period, take effect from December 1, 2025.
The Gezondheidsverklaring (Health Declaration) is a form submitted to the CBR where you declare your physical and mental health to assess your fitness to drive.
The CBR anticipates that ADHD and autism will be removed from the Gezondheidsverklaring altogether around April 1, 2026, following the current transitional measures.
These changes primarily affect the medical assessment process for obtaining or renewing your driving licence, not the content or requirements of the theory exam itself. However, obtaining a licence is the end goal.
During this period, if you declare ADHD or autism on your Gezondheidsverklaring and have no other underlying medical conditions, you will generally not be referred for a specific medical examination for these conditions by the CBR.