The CBR Theory Exam: Everything You Need to KnowPassing the theory exam is the first real milestone on your way to a Dutch driving licence. Before you can book your practical driving test, you need a valid theory certificate. This guide covers exactly how the CBR theory exam works, what happens on exam day, and what your results mean.
Exam Format
The CBR car theory exam is a computer-based test taken on a touchscreen. You will answer 50 questions covering both knowledge and insight. Knowledge questions test your understanding of traffic rules, legislation, facts, and vehicle requirements. Insight questions assess your ability to apply those rules and make sound decisions in real traffic situations.
To pass, you need at least 44 out of 50 correct answers.
Types of Questions
The exam uses six different question types:
- Open questions — type in a number as your answer
- Multiple choice — pick one answer from three options
- Multiple response — select all correct answers (more than one may apply)
- Yes/no questions — straightforward true-or-false style
- Drag questions — drag a number to the road user who has priority
- Hotspot questions — tap or click on the correct image
Questions may include photographs and short video animations showing traffic situations.
What Changed on 7 April 2025
Before 7 April 2025, the theory exam had 65 questions split into three separate sections: hazard perception, knowledge, and insight. Each section had its own pass requirement.
From 7 April 2025, the hazard perception section was removed entirely. The exam now consists of one continuous set of 50 knowledge and insight questions with a single pass threshold of 44 correct answers.
This is the current format in use today.
What to Expect on Exam Day
Below is a walkthrough of the process at the CBR exam centre. Plan to arrive roughly 15 minutes before your scheduled time, and bring a valid ID (passport, identity card, or residence permit) along with your reservation number.
- Check in and store your things. Enter your reservation number at the self-service kiosk, then put all personal items — coat, bag, phone, watch, keys, belt — into a locker. Your ID is the only thing you keep.
- Wait for your number. An information screen in the waiting area will display your number when the exam room is ready.
- Verify your identity at the counter. A CBR staff member checks your ID and tells you which table to sit at.
- Settle in at your assigned table. Place your ID face-up on the desk, enter your reservation number on the touchscreen, and confirm your email address.
- Start the exam. Press "start" and work through the questions at your own pace.
- Get your result on the spot. The screen tells you immediately whether you passed or failed. A detailed result form follows by email.
Duration and Extra Time
The standard theory exam takes approximately 30 minutes.
If you need more time, you can book a theory exam with extra time. This gives you an additional 15 minutes, for a total of about 45 minutes. There is a surcharge for this option (see prices below).
An individually supervised exam is also available for candidates who need additional support. This option also includes 15 minutes of extra time.
Prices and Booking
Book your theory exam directly through the official CBR website at cbr.nl. This is also where you fill in your health declaration (gezondheidsverklaring).
2026 Exam Rates
Standard exam:
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Theory exam (Dutch) | € 50,50 |
| Theory exam in English | € 57,00 |
Surcharges (added to the base price):
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Extra time (+15 min) | € 13,50 |
| Evening or weekend session | € 6,25 |
Special arrangements:
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Individually supervised theory exam | € 118,50 | Includes 15 min extra time |
| Theory exam with a translator | € 118,50 | Interpreter's own fee not included |
Watch out for unofficial booking websites. Some third-party sites charge extra fees on top of the CBR price. Others claim to offer faster booking, but exams booked through them are often cancelled and rescheduled at the last moment. Always book directly at cbr.nl.
Results and Validity
Understanding Your Result Form
After completing the exam, the screen immediately tells you whether you passed or failed. You also see a colour-coded breakdown per subject area:
- Green — no mistakes in that section
- Orange — 1 mistake
- Red — 2 or more mistakes
If you booked the exam yourself, you will also receive this result form by email.
How Long Is Your Result Valid?
Your theory certificate is valid for 1.5 years (18 months). You must obtain your driving licence within this period. If you do not, the certificate expires and you will need to retake the theory exam.
Taking the Exam in English
The CBR offers the theory exam in English at a slightly higher price (€ 57 instead of € 50,50). You can book it on cbr.nl just like the Dutch version.
However, a handful of Dutch terms appear in the English exam because they have no direct English translation. These fall into two broad categories:
Road and zone types:
| Dutch term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Autoweg | Expressway — a road class between a regular road and a motorway |
| Erf | Home zone — a residential area where pedestrians have priority |
Vehicle types and inspections:
| Dutch term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| APK | Algemene Periodieke Keuring — the mandatory periodic vehicle inspection (similar to the UK MoT) |
| Brommobiel | Microcar — a small, slow four-wheeled moped vehicle |
| Snorfiets | Low-speed moped — limited to 25 km/h |
Familiarising yourself with these terms beforehand will stop them from tripping you up during the exam.
Also keep in mind that traffic signs with sub-plates (onderborden) may contain Dutch text. Make sure you study the section about sub-plates so they do not catch you off guard.
Taking the Exam in Another Language
The CBR theory exam is only available in Dutch and English. If you need the exam in a different language, you must book it with a translator (tolk).
Here is how it works:
- Reserve the "theory exam with translator" option on cbr.nl (€ 118,50, excluding the interpreter's own fee).
- Separately book a translator through a translation company appointed by the CBR.
- Book the translator at least 2 weeks before your exam date to ensure availability.
The translator sits with you during the exam and translates the questions. The interpreter fee is set by the translation company and is not included in the CBR exam price.
Why You Cannot View Your Wrong Answers
Unlike practice exams, the official CBR exam does not let you see which specific questions you answered incorrectly. The government has given several reasons for this policy:
- Misremembering: Research shows that candidates often misremember incorrectly answered questions, which leads to learning wrong information rather than correcting mistakes.
- Different questions each time: Every exam draws from a large question bank, so you will get a different set of questions on your next attempt anyway.
- Protecting exam content: In the past, some candidates used viewed questions for purposes that undermined the integrity of the exam system.
What you do receive is the colour-coded result form showing which subject areas contained mistakes. Use this to focus your study on the topics where you scored red or orange before retaking the exam.
