Occupational competence of professional drivers

All professional drivers employed in the EU must comply with the EU Directive on professional competence. Pursuant to this Directive, professional bus and lorry drivers must have a valid code of professional competence (code 95). In the Netherlands, this code is included on the driving licence.

Training requirements

In order to be issued the code of professional competence, you must acquire a basic qualification from the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen, CBR), for which you have to pass various tests. The basic qualification is valid for five years. In addition, you must also attend at least 35 hours of refresher training at a training institute approved by the CBR each year.

Dispensations

If you have an EU driving licence bearing the code of professional competence or an EU driver qualification card, you do not require the basic qualification in the Netherlands. You can exchange the proof of professional competence at the Government Road Transport Agency (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer, RDW). In addition, dispensations apply to certain groups of drivers and vehicles. For more information, please contact the CBR.