Netherlands
Driving Abroad
Last verified August 15, 2026
Written for U.S. passport holders
License Requirements
- As a visitor, you can drive on your valid U.S. license for up to 185 days from your arrival, since the Netherlands allows non-EU/EFTA licenses for that period.
- An International Driving Permit isn't strictly required if the license categories on your U.S. license are clearly marked (A, B, C, D, E), but the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) recommends getting one anyway if there's any ambiguity, and it must be obtained in the U.S. through AAA or AATA before you travel.
If You Stay Longer
- The 185-day allowance is a hard cutoff, not renewable by leaving and re-entering. If you move to the Netherlands rather than just visiting, you generally need to exchange your U.S. license for a Dutch one within that window.
Road Basics for Americans
- Like the U.S., the Netherlands drives on the right side of the road, so the basic flow of traffic will feel familiar.
- Speed limits and distances are posted in kilometers (km/h), not miles. A 100 km/h limit is about 62 mph; a 50 km/h limit, common in towns, is about 31 mph. Cyclists have extensive dedicated lanes and strong right-of-way protections; watch for bike traffic more than you would at home.
The Gotcha
The Netherlands' 185-day allowance for a U.S. license is more generous than most Schengen countries covered here, but it's tied to your actual move-in date, not to how long you've technically been 'in the country' on paper. Track the date from your arrival carefully if you're settling in rather than just visiting.
Sources
This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change, so check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.
- Driving with a foreign driving licence (RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer, Netherlands Vehicle Authority))