Changing Your Driving Licence
After a name change or change to your gender registration, an existing driving licence remains legally valid until it expires, but the document will no longer correspond to the BRP. In such cases, it is practical to apply for a new driving licence. Unlike a passport and identity card, a Dutch driving licence does not state gender.
When should you apply for a new driving licence?
You are not legally required to apply for a new driving licence after a name change, but during police checks or abroad, a different name can lead to misunderstandings. A driving licence is also a commonly used form of identification when accessing services; keeping your documents consistent helps prevent difficulties with banks, landlords and healthcare providers.
The procedure
You apply for a new driving licence at the municipality where you are registered:
- Make an appointment with Civil Affairs.
- Bring a recent passport photo that meets the requirements for driving licences.
- Hand in your old driving licence.
- Pay the applicable fee (the amount varies by municipality).
- The driving licence is produced centrally and sent by post, usually within five to ten working days.
More information is available on the website of the Dutch government.
No gender designation
A Dutch driving licence does not state gender. This is a choice made by the legislature and differs from a passport and identity card, which do contain an M or F. In practical administrative terms, this means that a new driving licence can be applied for after a name change, without first having to update your gender registration.
Validity abroad
A Dutch driving licence is valid in all EU countries and in many countries outside the EU. If the name on your driving licence differs from the name on your passport, this may lead to questions from car rental companies or at border crossings. It is advisable to keep your documents synchronised as much as possible.
Categories and endorsements
When applying for a new driving licence, your existing driving licence categories and any medical endorsements are automatically transferred from the Central Driving Licence Register (CRR). You do not need to take a new theory or practical test.
Important note: medical endorsements
Biological sex information may be relevant to the CBR assessment of your fitness to drive, for example in relation to certain medication- or hormone-related indications. Hormone therapy (cross-sex hormones) can affect blood pressure and mood, and — in the case of testosterone — driving ability during the adjustment phase. This falls outside the scope of a legal name change, but is often an overlooked practical consideration during a transition.