Getting a category B licence cost €3,625 on average in the first half of 2026
Candidates who got their category B (car) driving licence in the first half of 2026 spent €3,625 on average. They needed an average of 42.5 driving lessons to get the pink card.
What does a driving licence cost in the Netherlands in 2026?
New research by the CBR shows that candidates who got their category B licence in the first half of 2026 spent an average of €3,625. Compared with last year, when the average was €3,320, that is an increase of 9.2 percent. The average number of driving lessons needed also rose: from 41 to 42.5 hours.
To pass the theory exam, candidates took the exam 2.6 times on average. The practical test was passed slightly faster, with an average of 2 attempts.
How the costs add up
The CBR gives the following overview of the average costs:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Driving lessons (42.5 hours × €54–€78/hour) | € 2,785 |
| Theory exam (avg. 2.6 × €50.50) | € 135 |
| Practical test (avg. 2 × €143.50 + driving school costs) | € 530 |
| Additional costs (health declaration, interim test, etc.) | € 175 |
| Average total | € 3,625 |
High fuel prices push costs up
According to the CBR, the sharp rise in fuel prices may be the main reason the average cost of a driving licence rose by 9.2 percent compared with last year. 80% of candidates paid between €54 and €78 per lesson hour.
Price differences can also depend on the region where a driving school operates, the type of lesson car and the length of a lesson. Besides prices, the CBR advises looking closely at driving schools' pass rates when choosing one, using its driving school finder (rijschoolzoeker).
How was this research done?
From July to August 2026, almost 1,400 candidates who had just got their licence took part in the research on the cost of getting a driving licence. As part of the ongoing CBR customer satisfaction survey, they were asked three extra questions about the number of lessons, their price and the number of exams they needed.
How can you save on your licence costs?
Now that the total cost of a driving licence keeps rising, it is smarter than ever to save where you can. One of the most effective ways? Pass your theory exam first time. On average candidates take the theory exam 2.6 times, and every extra attempt costs you €50.50. By going into the exam well prepared, you not only save on exam fees, you can also start your driving lessons sooner.
With Zielaan you practise with 1,500+ exam questions, realistic CBR-style practice exams and detailed theory explanations, also in English. That improves your chances of passing first time, and saves you hundreds of euros on resits.
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Save on your theory: pass first time!
Every resit costs €50.50. Prepare as well as possible with our CBR-style exam questions and practice exams, so you pass first time and do not pay more than you need to.
View Theory Packages & Start NowSource: CBR.nl: B-rijbewijs halen kostte eerste helft 2026 gemiddeld 3.625 euro (in Dutch)
