Not only studying: This is what you need to fix before cbr theory exam
You’ve got your theory exam scheduled at the CBR. Exciting! But let’s be honest—it’s also a little stressful, right? Maybe you’ve already tackled hundreds of practice questions, or maybe you still need to get started. Either way: being well-prepared is half the battle. And that doesn't just start with studying, but also with knowing what to bring, what to expect, and—most importantly—what not to forget.
Let’s go through it step-by-step, just like you’re hearing it from a friend who took the exam themselves last week.
📋 What to bring to your theory exam?
You don’t need to bring much, but what you do bring is absolutely essential:
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A valid ID.
No photos on your phone, no copies! It must be the physical card. And take note: expired really means expired. The CBR is very strict about this—if it’s expired, you won’t be allowed to take the exam.
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Your reservation number.
You can find this in your confirmation email from the CBR or on "Mijn CBR." You can check it there by logging in with your DigiD → Mijn reserveringen. All your exam details will be listed there.
Pro tip: If you booked the exam yourself, you’ll automatically receive two email reminders (9 days and 2 days in advance). If your driving school arranged it, you’ll only get that last email, so make sure to put it in your calendar.
🏢 What happens when you walk into the CBR?
The first thing you’ll see is the registration terminal (the big screen near the entrance). You type in your reservation number there. (Memorize this number; you’ll need to enter it again in the exam room). One of these three messages will appear on the screen:
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‘Aangemeld’ (Registered) – You’re checked in; just wait until you are called.
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‘Spullen in de locker’ (Put items in locker) – It’s almost your turn! Put your belongings in a locker: phone, coat, watch, keys; everything except your ID.
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‘Ga naar start examen’ (Go to exam start) – This is it. Report to the desk and say "Start examen."
Then comes security: they use a hand scanner to check that you don’t have any electronic devices on you. It might seem like overkill, but honestly, if you’ve prepared well, you don’t need to cheat. After that, a staff member will check your ID and assign you a table number.
Sensitive to noise? No problem—when entering the exam room, you can grab earplugs from the holder on the wall.
💡 Small but important details
Once you are at your table, place your ID down and enter your reservation number again. Check if your email address is correct and click Start. Simple as that.
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What can you take into the room?
Essentially only your ID and potentially the earplugs. Everything else goes into the locker. And yes, they do check.
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Be on time.
Not "just in time," but preferably 15 minutes early. Those few minutes of peace before you start can really make the difference between panic and focus. Plus, you need time for the lockers and security, which takes more than 5 minutes.
😬 What if you lost your ID?
That's a bummer—you won't be able to take the exam, but you might be able to get a refund. You will need two documents:
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A declaration of loss from your municipality (or a copy of a police report).
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A copy of the application for your new ID from the municipality.
Report the loss to the CBR via cbr.nl/contact no later than the day of your exam. Then, fill out a form via Mijn CBR → Nu aanvragen → Examengeld terugvragen.
Note: Oddly enough, for the reason, you must select “I was so ill that I could not take the exam.” (That really is the correct option, as strange as it sounds.)
You will then receive your exam fee back, minus administrative costs. In 2025, that is:
€48.75 – €12.25 = €36.50 refund.
🔄 Rescheduling your exam?
You can reschedule for free up to 7 days before your exam—up to three times. This is handy if you need a bit more study time.
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Example: Is your exam on June 9th at 3:00 PM? You can reschedule until June 1st at 3:00 PM.
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Within those 7 days, you can only reschedule to an earlier slot, and only if there is space. Honestly, that rarely happens, so don't count on it.
However, it’s often smart to just go for it, even if you don’t feel 100% ready. On Theorio, we offer short, intensive packages that allow students to go through the full theory and practice exams in one or two days. You can try this for free at app.theorio.nl.
Did your driving school book for you? Then you cannot reschedule it yourself; you’ll have to call them. Also, you cannot plan an exam yourself while a driving school has an exam scheduled for you.
Footnote: Evening and weekend exams are slightly more expensive (about €6 extra). If you move such an exam to a cheaper time slot, that amount will be refunded to you within two weeks.
💶 2025 Cost Overview
| Exam Type | Price |
| Standard Car Theory (B) | €48.75 |
| Exam with extra time | + €13.00 surcharge |
| English exam | + €6.25 surcharge |
| Evening/weekend exam | + €6.00 surcharge |
| Individually guided exam | + €65.25 surcharge |
| With interpreter | €114.00 (excl. interpreter costs) |
🎯 Final word: A mental tip
Do you know what most people forget? Rest. Everyone talks about practice, road signs, and tricky situations—but almost no one says: sleep well, eat something light, and breathe.
Your brain simply works better when it isn't wired on caffeine or exhausted. The night before, do one or two practice exams, and then do something relaxing. No stress, no endless cramming.
And if things go wrong? It’s really not the end of the world. Many people only pass on their second or third attempt. What matters is that you come prepared, know what to bring, and sit behind that screen with a calm mind.
Want to increase your chances? Practice with exams that actually look like the CBR's. At Theorio, you can take three free practice exams that are up-to-date and at the exact level of the real thing. There's a good chance you'll recognize the questions later!
👉 Try them for free at app.theorio.nl.
Good luck! 🍀 And remember: the CBR doesn't look at your nerves, only at your knowledge.
