Driving licence B: validity and what you may drive

What is a B driving licence?

The B licence is the Dutch driving licence for cars. You may drive on your own from the age of 18.

Are you 17? Then you may already drive with 2toDrive. A coach who is listed on your accompanying pass always sits next to you. This applies until you turn 18. You may only drive once you actually have the licence, not straight after the exam.

A B licence is usually valid for 10 years. Your age or a medical reason can make that shorter. The expiry date is on your own licence.

How long are you a novice driver?

As a novice you may have at most 0.2 per mille of alcohol in your blood. Read more about the alcohol limit for novice drivers.

What can you drive with a B licence?

With a B licence you may drive a car that may weigh at most 3500 kg, with at most 8 passengers besides you.

It is about the maximum authorised mass: how much the vehicle may weigh according to its registration, with people and load inside. An empty van or camper does not become lighter on paper.

Allowed with B:

• A car or van up to 3500 kg.
• At most 8 passengers. See how many people you may carry with a B licence.
• A light moped, moped, speed pedelec or brommobiel, because B includes AM.
• A trailer, if the weights are right. See which licence you need to tow a trailer.

Not allowed with B:

• A motorcycle, not even a 125cc motorcycle or one with a sidecar. You need A1, A2 or A. See riding a motorcycle with a B licence.
• A camper or van that may weigh more than 3500 kg. There is one exception: some electric or other alternatively fuelled vans and campers up to 4250 kg. Only if you have held a B licence for at least 2 years, and without a trailer.
• A lorry (licence C) or a bus (licence D).

Does a car licence include a moped licence?

Yes. A B licence always includes category AM, the moped licence. So with B you may also ride a light moped, moped, speed pedelec and brommobiel. This also applies if you got your car licence a long time ago.

You do need the rules for those vehicles: where you ride, how fast you may go and when a helmet is required. You find them under mopeds, e-bikes and motorcycles. A motorcycle is not part of AM.

Is the moped licence with a car licence being abolished?

No. Some people think AM will soon no longer come with a B licence. That is not true: there are no such plans. The Dutch government and the CBR still say in 2026 that you get AM automatically with B.

The new EU driving licence directive of October 2025 is about other things, such as heavier vehicles with B. It does not apply here yet.

Can you drive with an expired driving licence?

No. After the expiry date on your licence you may not drive until you have a new licence.

Does the police ask for your licence and has it expired? If it expired less than a year ago, you get a normal traffic fine of €130. If it expired more than a year ago, the public prosecutor imposes a penalty order of €430. That is a heavier punishment. Sources: OM fines database (Boetebase) (2026 amounts) and Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM): driving licence.

So renew your licence in time. Often you can do that online at the RDW. You then collect the new licence at your town hall. Are you 75 or older? Then you also need a health declaration to renew. See Dutch government: renewing your licence.

Carry your original licence

When you drive, carry your original driving licence and your registration card (or a valid paper registration document). A photo or copy does not count. If you cannot show your licence, the fine is €110 (2026). Is a document damaged? Have it replaced.

You do not need to carry your insurance or APK on paper: the police check them digitally. Are you 17? Then also carry your accompanying pass.

What is the fine for driving without a licence?

Do you drive a car without a licence, or without a licence for that type of vehicle? Then the public prosecutor gives you a penalty order of €430. That is more than a normal traffic fine. These are the 2026 amounts:

Every fine also has €9 in administration costs. Source: OM fines database (Boetebase), amounts from 1 January 2026.

What happens if you drive without a licence more often?

Are you caught again within 4 years? Then you have to go to court. The prosecutor then asks for a fine and a suspended sentence. The third time within 4 years, he asks for a sentence you really have to serve. Source: Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM): driving licence.

Driving while your licence has been taken away

Do you drive while you are disqualified, or while your licence has been confiscated or declared invalid? That is even more serious. The prosecutor then asks for 2 weeks in prison the first time, 3 weeks the second time and 4 to 6 weeks after that. He can also ask for a new driving disqualification. Source: OM guideline 2019R015 (in force since 1 January 2020).

You can also lose your right to drive, for example through alcohol, driving far too fast or dangerous driving. Are you a novice? Then after two serious offences the police report you to the CBR. The difference between a driving ban, confiscation, disqualification and invalidation is explained under alcohol and losing your licence.

Also behind the wheel of a towed car

A car that is being towed is still being driven. The person behind the wheel therefore also needs a valid driving licence. Never leave more than 5 metres between the cars. Read more under breakdowns.