Confused about which vehicles your Dutch driving licence permits you to operate? This guide clearly outlines the entitlements for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, and BE, covering everything from mopeds and cars to motorcycles and vehicles with trailers. Understanding these specific rules is vital for safe driving and for passing your CBR theory and practical exams.
Navigating the different driving licence categories in the Netherlands can seem complex, but understanding them is fundamental to safe and legal driving. Each licence category, from mopeds to cars and motorcycles, grants specific entitlements and comes with its own set of rules and requirements, all governed by the CBR and Dutch traffic legislation. This guide will demystify these categories, detailing precisely which vehicles you are permitted to operate with each licence, helping you avoid common misconceptions and ensuring you are fully prepared for your theory and practical exams.
The Dutch driving licence system is structured into several primary categories, each designated for a particular type of vehicle. These categories are not always mutually exclusive, and understanding their relationships and specific limitations is crucial. For instance, obtaining a licence for a more powerful vehicle may automatically grant you entitlements for less powerful ones, while some categories have specific practical exam choices that affect your future driving privileges.
The AM driving licence is specifically for light, motorised vehicles that operate at lower speeds. This category is essential for anyone wishing to legally ride a moped, a snorfiets (which typically travels at lower speeds than a moped and often doesn't require a helmet), a speed pedelec (a faster electric bicycle), or a brommobiel (a small, car-like vehicle for those who cannot obtain a standard car licence). To obtain this licence, candidates must pass both a theory and a practical driving test at the CBR. It's important to note that the practical exam can be taken on either a two-wheeled moped or a brommobiel. If you opt for the brommobiel practical test and pass, you will be restricted to driving only brommobielen; however, passing the test on a two-wheeled moped grants you the entitlement to drive all vehicles within the AM category, including brommobielen. A significant advantage is that if you already possess a Category B (car) or Category A (motorcycle) licence, you automatically receive an AM licence, allowing you to drive all vehicles in this category without further testing.
A small, four-wheeled vehicle, similar to a small car, that can be driven with an AM driving licence. It has specific speed and dimension limitations.
The motorcycle driving licence is divided into three subcategories, each corresponding to different levels of engine power and performance. The A1 licence is for light motorcycles, typically those with an engine capacity of up to 125 cc and a maximum power of 11 kilowatts (kW). The A2 licence is for medium-duty motorcycles, with a maximum power of 35 kW. The unrestricted Category A licence permits the operation of the most powerful motorcycles. The age requirements for these licences vary: you can typically take the theory exam from age 17 for A1, and the practical exam from age 18. For A2, the practical exam can be taken from age 20, and for the unrestricted A licence, from age 21. It is possible to obtain the A licence directly if you are 24 or older. However, if you pass the Category A practical exam between the ages of 21 and 24, you will receive a temporary code 80 on your licence. This code restricts you to riding Category A2 motorcycles and three-wheeled motorcycles until you have held the licence for two years or reach the age of 24, at which point the restriction is automatically removed. Holders of a full Category A licence are permitted to ride all motorcycles within categories A1, A2, and A.
The Category B driving licence is the most common and is required to drive passenger cars and vans. This licence allows you to operate vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,500 kg, provided they do not carry more than eight passengers in addition to the driver. For those aged 18 or older, the B licence also permits towing light trailers. The permissible weight for a trailer is up to 750 kg, or if the trailer weighs more than 750 kg, the combined weight of the car and trailer must not exceed 3,500 kg. A notable update allows holders of a Category B licence to drive electric or sustainably fuelled trucks or camper vans up to 4,250 kg after completing an additional training course, though trailer towing is not permitted under this specific exemption. Crucially, obtaining a Category B licence automatically grants you Category AM entitlements, meaning you can also ride mopeds, snorfietsen, speed pedelecs, and brommobielen.
The maximum total weight of a vehicle, including its payload (passengers and luggage), as specified by the manufacturer. This is a key figure for determining which driving licence category is required.
For those who need to tow heavier trailers than permitted by a standard Category B licence, the BE licence is necessary. With a BE licence, you can drive a car towing a trailer with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,500 kg. This category is essential for individuals who regularly tow larger caravans, horse trailers, or heavy-duty utility trailers. The distinction between the B licence trailer rules and the BE licence is primarily the maximum weight of the trailer and the combined MAM of the car and trailer.
It's common for confusion to arise regarding the overlapping entitlements between different driving licence categories. For instance, the Category B licence is quite encompassing when it comes to lighter vehicles.
One of the most significant overlaps is that obtaining a Category B (car) driving licence automatically includes the entitlements of Category AM. This means that once you pass your car theory and practical exams, you are legally permitted to ride mopeds, snorfietsen, speed pedelecs, and brommobielen without needing a separate AM licence or test. This provision simplifies matters for many drivers who may occasionally use these smaller vehicles.
While holding a higher motorcycle licence category (like A) grants you the entitlements for lower categories (A1 and A2), the reverse is not true. An A1 licence holder can only ride light motorcycles within those specific power limits. They cannot legally operate a medium-duty (A2) or heavy (A) motorcycle without passing the relevant subsequent tests. Similarly, an A2 licence holder can ride light and medium-duty motorcycles but requires further testing for the unrestricted A category. The code 80 restriction, as mentioned, is a temporary measure for younger drivers obtaining the unrestricted A licence.
Always double-check the specific power (kW) and engine capacity (cc) limits for each motorcycle category (A1, A2, A) as these are precise figures used in exam questions and legal enforcement.
Understanding these vehicle entitlements is not just about legal compliance; it's a core component of the Dutch driving theory exams administered by the CBR. Exam questions often test your knowledge of these specific distinctions, particularly concerning:
Failure to correctly identify which licence is needed for a particular vehicle can lead to incorrect answers in the theory test and, more seriously, to driving without the correct licence, which carries significant penalties.
Never assume you are allowed to drive a vehicle simply because it appears similar to one you are licensed for. Always verify your entitlements against the official categories and vehicle specifications.
To provide a clear overview, here is a summary of the primary vehicles you can drive with each licence category:
It is crucial to remember that this is a simplified overview. Always consult official sources and your driving licence for precise details and any specific restrictions or codes that may apply to your licence. Understanding these nuances is fundamental to safe driving and for successfully passing your CBR theory and practical examinations.
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Find clear and practical answers to common questions learners often have about Dutch Licence Categories & Vehicles. This section helps explain difficult points, remove confusion, and reinforce the key driving theory concepts that matter for learners in the Netherlands.
Yes, with a Dutch Category B driving licence, you automatically also receive Category AM entitlements, allowing you to drive mopeds, snorfietsen, speed pedelecs, and brommobielen.
The primary difference is the power and engine capacity of the motorcycle. A1 is for lighter motorcycles (up to 11 kW), A2 for medium-powered motorcycles (up to 35 kW), and A for the most powerful motorcycles with unlimited power.
With a Category B licence, you can tow a trailer up to 750 kg if the combined weight of the car and trailer does not exceed 3,500 kg. For heavier trailers or combinations, a BE licence is required.
If you pass your Category AM practical exam specifically in a brommobiel, your licence will be restricted to only driving brommobielen. You will not be permitted to drive two-wheeled mopeds, snorfietsen, or speed pedelecs.
A standard Category B licence covers passenger cars and vans up to a maximum authorised mass of 3,500 kg. For heavier trucks, you would need categories C1 or C.