Anyone who wants to get their driver’s license this year will have to dig deeper into their pockets again. From an analysis of AutoWeek Based on CBR figures, it appears that candidates for a theory exam now pay 63 percent more than ten years ago.
The costs of other components have also risen sharply since 2016. The practical exam became almost 50% more expensive in the same period and the same applies to driving lessons. Due to all the price increases, a driving license became approximately one thousand euros more expensive in total.
Rising costs
In 2016, a theory exam for a driving license still cost 31 euros. In 2026 the rate will be 50.50 euros. That is an increase of almost 63 percent. The practical exam increased from 98.25 to 143.50 euros in the same period – an increase of more than 46 percent. In addition, there are a range of other costs, including a mandatory health declaration that now costs 46.90 euros.
These increases are well above inflation. Since 2016, consumer prices in the Netherlands have increased by about a third. The costs of a theory exam increased almost twice as fast in the same period. The practical exam also became more expensive considerably faster than the average price of goods and services.
“The theory and practical exam are mandatory parts of the driving license and there is little room for candidates to save on this,” says Marco Gorter, car expert at AutoWeek. “That is precisely why price increases for these exams have a direct impact on what it ultimately costs to be allowed to drive legally. That is why it has become even more important to get your driver’s license in one go. This way you can get on the road sooner and keep a lot of money in your own pocket.”
Increasingly large investment
The exam costs are only part of the total expenses for obtaining a driver’s license. Driving lessons have also become more expensive in recent years due to rising wages, higher fuel prices and increasing operating costs for driving schools. According to recent estimates, candidates now spend an average of between 3,000 and 3,300 euros to obtain their driver’s license.
For comparison: figures from the Central Bureau of Driving Licenses (CBR) showed that Dutch people spent an average of 2,300 euros on obtaining their driving license in 2018. This means that driving licenses have become around a thousand euros more expensive in less than ten years.
Driving license ownership among young people
At the same time, according to CBS, driving license ownership among young people is still lower than before the corona pandemic. Although more and more young people eventually get their driver’s license, many postpone this step for longer. Rising costs may play a role in this.
“Getting a driver’s license has become considerably more expensive in recent years,” says Gorter. “For many young people, a driver’s license is still the key to more freedom and independence. At the same time, we see that the financial threshold is increasing. The combination of more expensive exams and higher tuition prices makes obtaining a driver’s license a greater investment than ever. Given the constant price increases over the past ten years, it seems that prices will only increase in the future.”
By our colleagues from AutoWeekan independent platform for car enthusiasts and buyers.
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