Nervous about your theory exam? How to stay calm

Nerves are normal

A little tension is good: it keeps you sharp. Only when nerves take over do they start costing you points. That is called test anxiety. Nerves often come from uncertainty: you do not know exactly what to expect, or you doubt whether you know the material well enough. You can do something about both.

Tell yourself: "I find this exciting, and that is fine." Fighting your nerves usually only makes them bigger.

How the CBR theory exam works

The better you know what will happen, the less room there is for nerves. This is what your exam day looks like:

1. Be on time. The CBR advises arriving about fifteen minutes before your exam. Plan your journey with time to spare so you do not have to rush.
2. Bring your ID. A valid identity document is the only thing you take into the exam room. Your coat, phone and watch go into a free locker.
3. First, 2 practice questions. Before the exam starts, you get 2 practice questions to get used to the screen. They do not count.
4. 50 questions in 30 minutes. You tap or drag the answer on a touchscreen. There are also 2 test questions that do not count.
5. 44 correct = pass. So you can make 6 mistakes. One difficult question is not a disaster.
6. Instant result. Afterwards you see on your screen straight away whether you passed. You also get the result by email.

You can take the exam in English, with the same format. Read more about how the new CBR exam works.

In the week before your exam

• Practise under real conditions. Do at least one full practice exam with a timer, without breaks or looking things up. Then you know what 30 minutes feels like and nothing surprises you on the day. Start with our free practice exam.
• Work on your weak topics. After each practice exam, check which topics went wrong, such as priority rules or traffic signs, and revise them.
• No new material the night before. Cramming late mostly makes you tired and unsure. Briefly go over your summary at most, and get a good night's sleep.
• Get everything ready. Your ID, the route and your departure time. The less you have to arrange on the day, the calmer your head.

During the exam: keep your head clear

• Breathe calmly. Notice your breathing getting high and fast? Breathe in through your nose for 4 counts, hold for 7 and breathe out slowly through your mouth for 8. That helps many people calm down. Do it before the first question and as often as you need.
• Read the whole question. Nerves make you rush. Read the question and all answers, and watch out for words like "not" and "always".
• Hazard perception: think like a driver. Ask yourself what you would really do in that situation: brake, release the accelerator or nothing. If you doubt for long, your first instinct is often right. More tips in hazard perception tips.
• Do not get stuck. If you do not know an answer, choose the best option and move on. With 6 mistakes allowed, not everything has to be perfect. Dwelling on one question mostly costs you calm for the next one.
• Do not look around. Someone finishing earlier says nothing about your exam. Everyone gets different questions.

Struggling with test anxiety? This is what the CBR offers

Is it more than normal nerves, for example because you froze in earlier exams? The CBR has two adapted theory exams:

You book both exams yourself in Mijn CBR. They cost more than the standard exam; you see the current price when booking. The requirements are the same: you still need 44 of the 50 questions right.

Failed? That is not the end

If it does not work out the first time, Mijn CBR shows the topics where you made mistakes. You do not see the questions themselves, but you do see what to work on. Practise those topics and book a new exam once you pass practice exams comfortably. Many people pass the second time precisely because they now know what to expect.

Nervous about your driving test?

Nervous about the practical driving test after your theory? There are options for that too:

• Interim test (tussentijdse toets): a practice exam at the CBR so you get used to the situation. If you do the special manoeuvres well, you are exempt from them in your real exam.
• Exam for test anxiety (faalangstexamen): this takes 1 hour and 20 minutes in total, of which 35 minutes is driving, the same as a normal exam. The extra time is for a calm start and for a time-out, which you may ask for during the drive. The requirements to pass are the same. You request it through your driving school, after passing your theory exam. It costs more than a normal exam; see cbr.nl for the current price.
• A mistake does not mean failing. Stalled the engine? Restart calmly, look around carefully and drive on safely. How you handle a mistake tells the examiner a lot.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to be nervous about the theory exam?

Yes. Almost everyone is. Knowing how the exam works and practising under real conditions helps most.

Is there a theory exam for people with test anxiety?

Yes, the individually supervised theory exam: alone with a CBR staff member, with 45 minutes instead of 30. You book it in Mijn CBR; a surcharge applies.

How many mistakes can you make?

You need at least 44 of the 50 questions right, so you can make 6 mistakes. The 2 test questions do not count.

When do you get your result?

Right after the exam, on your screen. You also receive it by email.

Sources: the information about the exams and the procedure comes from cbr.nl (checked on 25 October 2026). Zielaan is independent and not affiliated with the CBR.