Dutch car theory exam 2026: what has changed?

Updated on 26 October 2026

The Dutch car theory exam has looked different since April 2025, and new material was added in 2026. Here is what changed, with the source on cbr.nl for every point, and what it means for how you prepare.

One exam instead of three parts

Until 7 April 2025 the car theory exam had 65 questions in three parts, each with its own pass mark: hazard perception (25 questions), knowledge (12) and insight (28).

Since 7 April 2025 it is one continuous exam of 50 questions. You have 30 minutes and you pass with 44 correct answers. According to the CBR this pass mark is comparable to the old exam: not easier and not harder.

Source: CBR-nieuws: vernieuwd theorie-examen B vanaf 7 april (20-02-2025) · CBR: Hoe gaat het theorie-examen voor de auto?

Hazard perception: clips instead of photos

The separate hazard perception part with photos has gone. Many questions now have a short animated clip of a realistic traffic situation, without sound. You say what is going to happen or what you would do.

These questions mainly test whether you spot danger in time and predict correctly what others are going to do.

Source: CBR-nieuws: vernieuwd theorie-examen B vanaf 7 april (20-02-2025)

More types of questions

Besides yes/no and multiple-choice questions, you can get these formats:

• Drag question: you drag numbers in the right order to the right place in the image.
• Single drag question: you drag one tick to the right place.
• Fill-in question: you type in a number.
• Hotspot question: you tap the right answer in the image.
• Multiple-response question: more than one answer can be correct.

Source: CBR: Wat voor soort vragen krijg je tijdens het theorie-examen?

New in 2026: driver assistance systems (ADAS)

Since 1 April 2026 the CBR has to test driver assistance systems. There were already questions about them, for example about cruise control and ABS, but they were mostly about the symbols on the dashboard and about sustainable driving.

Since 1 October 2026 the questions focus more on how you drive when you use such a system. They are based on the Rijprocedure B (the Dutch guide to driving procedure): the introduction and the "Rijhulpsystemen" (driver assistance systems) section at the end of chapters 1 and 2. The number of exam questions stays the same.

The CBR advises you to check that your study material has been updated for this.

Source: CBR-nieuws: rijhulpsystemen in het theorie-examen auto (17-08-2026)

Cost and validity in 2026

The exam costs €50.50 at the CBR; in 2025 it was €48.75. With extra time you pay €64.00, in English €57.00. A pass is valid for 1.5 years from the day you pass.

Source: CBR: Wat kost het halen van een autorijbewijs? · CBR-nieuws: tarieven CBR 2026 (14-10-2025) · CBR: Hoe lang is het positieve resultaat van mijn theorie-examen geldig?

In which language can you take the exam?

The exam is available in Dutch and in English. For another language you take the individually supervised exam with an interpreter, for €118.50. You arrange and pay for the interpreter yourself, through a recognised agency and at least 14 days before your exam.

Source: CBR: Welke soorten theorie-examens zijn er? · CBR: Wat kost het halen van een autorijbewijs?

What does this mean for how you prepare?

• Practise against the clock. You answer 52 questions (50 plus 2 test questions that do not count) in 30 minutes: about 35 seconds per question on average.
• You may get 6 questions wrong in total, from any topic. There is no separate pass mark per part any more, so a weak topic costs you points on the whole exam.
• Practise with traffic situations, not just rules: in every situation, ask yourself what is going to happen and what you would do.
• Check that your study material covers the driver assistance systems from the Rijprocedure B.

Source: CBR: Hoe gaat het theorie-examen voor de auto? · CBR-nieuws: vernieuwd theorie-examen B vanaf 7 april (20-02-2025) · CBR-nieuws: rijhulpsystemen in het theorie-examen auto (17-08-2026)

Practise in the same format

At Verkeersvragen you practise with exam tests of 50 questions in 30 minutes, with 44 correct to pass. After you hand in, you see the explanation and the article of law for every answer. The trial test is free and works without an account. Verkeersvragen is not part of the CBR.

All facts about the exam come from cbr.nl, checked on 25 October 2026.