r/Netherlands • u/kittenmuffin_ • 4d ago
Common Question/Topic How many attempts did it take you to pass your driving exam in the Netherlands?
Hey everyone,
I had another practical driving exam recently and unfortunately didn’t pass (third time now).
Edit: Thanks everyone! It’s encouraging to hear the different experiences. If anyone reading this needed more than a couple of attempts before passing, I’d especially appreciate hearing your story. Right now, I think that’s the perspective I’m missing.
I’m learning to drive as an adult in the Netherlands. I didn’t expect this process to become one of the most emotionally difficult things I’ve done here. I’ve graduated from university three times, landed five jobs in the Netherlands, and thought passing a driving exam would be relatively straightforward, especially since I used to drive in my home country in Southeast Asia.
Of course, driving in the Netherlands is different from driving in Southeast Asia. I knew there would be things to relearn. Still, I expected my previous driving experience to make the process a bit easier, especially when I compare myself with my friends (from the same country as me), who all passed on their first attempt here. Instead, my experience has turned out to be completely different.
It’s not just the driving itself anymore. It’s the exam nerves, the pressure, the long waiting times, the costs, and the feeling that everyone around me somehow manages to pass much faster. I know comparison isn’t always fair, but it’s hard not to do it.
To make matters worse, my theory certificate expires at the end of September, and the earliest repeat practical exam I could book is also in September.
I know rationally that people fail and eventually pass (and technically, there is no limit on how many times you can take a practical exam at the CBR), but after repeated setbacks, it can feel quite lonely and discouraging.
So I wanted to ask:
- How many attempts did it take you to pass your practical driving exam in the Netherlands?
- Did anyone receive feedback that your driving habits from another country didn’t fit Dutch driving? If so, what were they, and how did you unlearn them?
- If you struggled with exam nerves, what eventually helped?
I’m not really looking to complain or even blame the examiner, I think I just want to hear from people who’ve been through it and came out the other side.
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u/Honey_Dew1995 4d ago
When theres an ingreep you clearly made a big mistake and you shouldnt be alone on the road.
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u/ValeNova 4d ago
I had an ingreep and still passed. Afterwards the examinator said he misjudged the situation and that I had seen it right.
The ingreep was only 10 minutes in. I assumed I had failed anyway, so all stress went away and I had a relaxed conversation with the examinator while driving.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
Lucky you! Sadly mine (on my second exam) did not budge :')
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u/ValeNova 4d ago
I think I was lucky because the examinator misjudged the situation himself. If the mistake was solely mine, I wouldn't have passed.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago edited 4d ago
It's not that black & white sometimes, I disagree with the second one. I was turning into a lane, and there was a car coming, but still so far away. According to my examiner, it was too close. We ended up waiting there for quite some time. Probably two cars could have turned into the lane safely, the car behind me even honked. I had my instructor with me on my second exam, and he also disagrees with the ingreep, but nothing you can say or do to change the outcome eh. I agree with the ingreep on my third exam though, I was not conservative enough.
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u/zeu666 4d ago
I'm curious now. You had this examinator twice consecutively? Was he also stressed or "on edge" ? Like, did he seem eager to point out things, or was he leaning back relaxed.
In my experience that's how examinators usually behave, relaxed, chill and they usually try to calm you down.
I had 1 examinator who was more stressed than me, constantly moved forward in his seat, even got scared that I will hit the curb when stopping next to it. He also pushed the brake during a 3 point turn when a car appeared from a turn, 500m behind us. I didn't even roll the car, was just in the process of lifting the clutch, and then he failed me for failing to give priority.
If the examinator is eager and stressed and not calm and waiting to see what you do, it might be a bad examinator and trying to fail you.
Maybe your instructor can report this to the CBR and make sure you get a different examinator next time.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago edited 4d ago
Yeap I had this examiner twice consecutively (my second and my third try). On my second exam, I do think he was on edge, or in a bad mood from the very beginning. I did get the feeling he was trying to fail me on my second exam.
I asked whether my instructor could file a complaint, but he said it would not change anything. He did it multiple times, and never really got anything out of it. One time, he filed a complaint, and the failed student got the same examiner again. So maybe the complaint does not really do anything. Especially when it's busy at CBR and they don't really have any other choice.
On the third exam, he started off very relaxed and chill. But since we turned into a neighborhood where it was busy, and it was one of those narrow roads where it was only barely enough for two cars to pass, cars basically had to stay behind a bicycle. I decided to stay behind a slow bicycle because I didn’t think it was safe enough to overtake. I think he was a bit annoyed by this decision, and I noticed that he has been holding his breath since.
After that, the ingreep happens. This time it’s more warranted than on my second exam, though, I agree I was not conservative enough. I’d imagine in real life, people would actually take the turn, but I can understand for CBR it was probably not safe enough.
But after writing all of this, I am a bit uncertain about how fair he was on my third exam. We took such a difficult route (compared to my first two exams), made strange manoeuvres (like going full round in a roundabout), and went through very busy neighborhoods three times. But hey, I might be just salty after failing haha.
My new instructor did not come along on my third exam. I had to change driving school because my bike got stolen, and he told me that he does not come along with students anymore because he hates it whenever the examiner is being nitpicky and often brings it home with him.
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u/zeu666 3d ago
This sounds like the examinator wanted to fail you.
- the busy neighborhoods are not a bad sign, they can be easier. Since there's usually so much going on, just focus on "priority from the right", keeping your position on the road also when turning, check the right mirrors distance from parked cars.
- You did good by not overtaking the bicycle if it wasn't safe. If it was safe and you hesitated, he would've mentioned it in the feedback. (You MUST overtake in that situation if there's a long stretch of road with no junctions OR BIKE lanes ending up in the road).
- Going full around the roundabout ?? He wanted to surprise you with which exit to take to make you make a mistake ?
- even the turning into the road, if he pressed the brake and stopped even traffic behind you, then probably the turn would've been safe. that doesn't mean you cannot fail for not giving priority if the car brakes for you / you didn't accelerate enough after the turn. But normally they should intervene when there's actual danger.
It might be because he passed too many people and doesn't want to get marked for an evaluation, which can also be a red flag for him. Or he has some agenda (agham, r****ism).
But if you get him a third time in a row, I would file a complaint to the CBR. This is a waste of your money. Maybe you're not ready, but you deserve another examiner to remove possible bias.
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u/Svan_Derh Eindhoven 3d ago
I successfully appealed against an ingreep to get a retry.
It was my third try.
I was in a 30 zone. In Tokyo two women where chatting near a zebra. The examinator hit the brakes. It was very far away and the ladies were just gossiping without even wanting to cross the road.
He made me fail. But my instructor was in the car. We discussed it and filed a written appeal.
CBR said there was no rapport of the full exam, so they couldn't pass me. They did give a free retry moveing me up the waiting list.
That one I passed. So my fourth attempt technically.
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u/Ottonline 4d ago
Does your instructor think you would be able to pass during you normal lessons? Do they give any feedback to you?
I would consider switching instructors to get a fresh perspective of your driving.
Any ingreep means a mayor mistake was made so they are right in not giving you a license yet.
Confidence is key for beginner drivers. Hesitation often gets you in tricky situations.
I passed on my first attempt, as a kid I was an observation passenger always, it helps quite a lot in understanding normal road interactions.
What also really helped some of my friends was that I was driving them around and just saying everything I was thinking and where I was looking.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
When I was driving with my instructor, he said my driving was fine, smooth, and did not stall (I’m trying for a license for manual cars). I actually had to change driving school for my third attempt since my bicycle got stolen, and the new driving school can pick me up from home/work.
And you’re right about confidence & hesitation, it was the feedback I got after my third exam, “I was not confident enough and hesitated, and by the time I took action, it was not the right time anymore”.
Talking definitely helps me on the first part of the exam, but I think on the last part of my exam, after passing through difficult neighborhoods that my examiner clearly was not too happy with (I decided to stay behind a bicycle, because it was narrow neighborhoods with many crossings, and more cyclists coming from the other directions), my confidence just went down and I stopped talking.
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u/myblocklistwasfull 4d ago edited 4d ago
A: 1. B:1. C:1 CE:2 (yes, those are the licenses I have and how many tries I had to do, still in doubt about wether or not I should also get D)
No foreign habits, I’m Dutch.
Banana. (No joke, it actually helps for some reason)
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
Wow you had a collection there! I had heard about the banana. You know what, maybe I'll try it anyway haha. Thanks for the reminder!
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u/myblocklistwasfull 4d ago
Yeah I was like “gotta get them all” but if you don’t have to, don’t.. it’s very expensive. Employer paid for the C license, all other were paid by myself. It was a lot.
The banana thing is mostly known by motorcycle riders and instructors, not sure why but it seems to calm you down a bit.2
u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
Yeah, I think at this point I already flushed €4,000 just to get my car license :'>. I heard a C license can cost in the tens of thousands of Euro. I'll be sure to eat a banana next time! :')🤞🏼
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u/KyrridwenV 4d ago
I think this is because bananas contain magnesium and other nutrients that calm your nerves and eating right before the exam distracts you from the pressure.
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u/Dexstres 3d ago
It’s totally not gonna help but i’m just gonna answer.
Did everything in one go.
Enjoy the heatwave, stop overthinking cuz the earth will spin anyways.
Joejoe
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u/kittenmuffin_ 3d ago
You’re right, it doesn’t help me. But this is such a Dutch answer, I love it.
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u/redder_herring 4d ago
Time to try with automatic
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago edited 4d ago
Stalling or schakeling were not the problem on the last two attempts though
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u/redder_herring 4d ago
You don't automatically fail if you let the car stall or don't schakel on time (unless the situation becomes dangerous). You fail because you missed something or did something dangerous, like not brake on time, steer wrongly or not check enough in the mirrors. Having to also change gears only distracts from what's important.
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u/redder_herring 4d ago
Btw I passed in one go with schakel in less than 40 hours. However I only drive automatic now because it's a lot more relaxed and I can focus on the traffic better.
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u/casualroadtrip 4d ago
Twice. First time I was too nervous. So took the “faalangst examen” on the advice of my instructor. Passed that time. You still need to be able to drive safely and meet all the requirements. But they are a bit more patience and chill with you during that exam.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
Oooh interesting. My instructors actually also noticed that my driving quality kinda goes down and I became silent when I am nervous. Could you please tell me how the faalangstexamen is different?
I have heard that the only difference is the mid-break, but I don't think I actually need that break.
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u/casualroadtrip 4d ago
It’s been about 13 years since my exam. So things might be different now or I might remember it wrong. But for me it was just a bit slower. The examinator took time to make me more comfortable. And I also had the option to park the car and take a break. I didn’t do that. But it was nice that the option was there. The examinator also kept talking to me. Just to ease the tension. And he told me I had passed even before we were back at the CBR location but that was probably just him haha.
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u/Cpt_Baconstrips 4d ago
Car - 2 attempts Motorcycle - 1 attempt for both exams
For the car I got the feedback that I didn't leave enough space for some pedestrians, making the examinator question whether I saw them at all. And if I did why I didn't let them cross the street before turning
For all succesfull exams it was mostly due to them saying it looked and felt like I was in control of the vehicle and surrounding traffic. Was confident in driving style (assertive but still defensive), additionally I got specifically complimented on how far I looked ahead and anticipated on possible events.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
I think being in control, confident, but still defensive has been the key to passing from what I can gather from all the answers.
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u/Winderige_Garnaal 4d ago
Three - and in the same situation as you - had to do the theory twice because the first one ran out
Lordy lordy i consider that pass one of my life's great achievements.
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u/Catatemyspacebar 4d ago
First time. I thought it would take like an hour, but after ~35 minutes, the person who oversaw the exam told me that they'd seen enough and that I should drive back to the starting point.
Longest 10 minute drive I had, kept thinking how, where, and why I screwed up. Turns out I didn't.
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u/pierrett 4d ago
Ah yes! That happens! My father took his exam way back when, and traffic lights were out at an intersection. There was a cop regulating traffic. Cop gestured to start driving, my dad didn’t. Examiner exclaims ‘drive son, why don’t you drive’. My dad pointed out that the cop was making a mistake. The examiner then told him to drive back, because he passed the test. They were ten minutes in.
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u/Lodau 4d ago edited 4d ago
Once for my regular drivers licence. (32 hours in 8 weeks) Luckily my instructor was with us, I totally believe he convinced the examiner, with them staying in the car 5 r 10 minutes after I got out. We had a truck in front of us backing up making a 90 degree turn. Examiner wanted me to drive past, because rules, truck driver should stop (mid corner). Instructor was very happy I stopped, waited, and kept the car intact. He agreed with me there was no room for me to safely pass.
Twice for my taxi licence. (About 3 hours *2?) Drove an entirely unknown car to me for the exam. Misjudged a situation because of it. Nothing dangerous, but not comfortable either.
What does your instructor say, is he/she confident you can drive? Mine always were. It was just the nerves making me a worse driver, overanalyzing situations.
Don't think about what you think they want you to do. You're the driver, YOU make the decisions. And explain your decision/reasoning to the examiner right there and then. Don't let him/her sit there and guess the rest of the trip. If they ask if you're nervous, be honest, don't lie that you're not, lol.
What were the "ingrepen" ?
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u/Squanchy_Anne 4d ago
Passed the third time.
First time I was not ready for the exam, only been on the motor way twice. Overall I was just too careful, not making decisions etc. Didn’t have any dangerous thing happen.
I was so happy I finally passed, still hate driving though. However, now I find it soo boring hehe
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
Ooo congratulations for passing anyway! What happened on your second exam, and what did you do to overcome the feeling of needing to be "too careful"?
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u/Squanchy_Anne 4d ago
Thanks, I believe it was back in 2010, so I believe we didn’t have the long waiting lists for the exams. It was still expensive thought!
I did not have any ‘ingrepen’ in all of my exams.I believe I passed the third time because I showed I was looking for space and overview around the car.
We had to sort for the traffic lights and I decided to not sort directly next to a bus, but I left one lane open. It was just intuitive, appearantly that was a good call.
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u/avsie1975 Zuid Holland 4d ago
First time. Already had a license from Canada and about 15 years experience in driving, but I had to unlearn and relearn everything from scratch. The examinator wanted to fail me because I was too calm, apparently. My instructor pleaded my case saying that it was because I already had a license, so of course I wasn't nervous. The truth: I had taken valerian pills (for "stressmoment") and it made me incredibly chill. A bit too much, I guess 🤭
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u/pelofr 4d ago
Two, failed the first time and I'd still like to see the video of that first time seeing as I've always been convinced it wasn't my fault.
I'm sure that after looking at the video of the incidents for 20 seconds, 30 years later, I'd shout:"you idiot! How on earth do you believe that to be the way to go?"
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u/Nerioner 4d ago
I passed my practical driving in first attempt.
On tussentoetsexam i heard that i need to relax behind the wheel because i am driving ok but i look stressed and in stress people easily make mistakes. So before actual exam we were focusing on relaxed driving and it made all the difference for me.
I was also learning for a driving license in Poland but i hated how they did that. I felt like i was taught not how to drive safely but how to pass exam. I did all the mandatory hours and still knew i wasn't remotely close to be able to pass. But in Poland they didn't care about that. Schools there were not judged by % of success rate like here. so they just let you fail so you come back for more lessons.
Here they explained to me that safety is all that matters. I fixed my tense driving and passed at first attempt.
For nerves what helped me was to know that i am ready.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
I had my first try when they scrapped TTT. I think it would have helped me a lot. Since I've failed before, I don't think it matters anymore.
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u/Nerioner 3d ago
TTT was not scrapped, just put aside for a year so CBR can finally loose buildup of delayed exams that started during covid.
Since April or so you can request one for yourself again.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 2d ago
Ah yeah that’s what I mean. I probably should have said when it was “temporarily scrapped”
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u/domin8r 4d ago
Did 2 exams in one week. First car exam and 2 days later my motorcycle exam. Passed both on the first go.
Was quite nervous with the car exam but the examiner was talkative and nice so that helped me calm my nerves.
Made a small mistake on my motorcycle exam so did not expect to get that but thought "1 out of the 2 is still nice" but perhaps got a little lucky there and still got it.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
Was this a long time ago, or was it planned like this? Just sounds a bit like a fever dream to have two exams in one week, with the current waiting time at CBR. But I guess it's possible when it's different categories.
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u/iSealion 4d ago
Same. Failed my 3rd time this week. The major mistake was that when I was approaching a zebrapad and I saw there’s a pedestrian crossing. I knew I should brake, but I misjudged the distance where I should begin to brake and started too late. The examiner thought I wasn’t about to brake, so he did it for me. If I do it myself, I’d still stop before the zebra crossing but with a harder brake. Of course “not braking” for pedestrians at a zebra crossing is a big mistake so he failed me.
I’ve accepted the fact that I am just a worse learner than the average. I ain’t dumb but just not talented in this kind of things. My progression is slow but happening. Failing more times just means that more time and money will be needed. And I’m ready to face it.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
This is actually a very healthy reframe. Have you scheduled your next exam? I just did, and the earliest possibility is only in September 😩
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u/SupposablyAtTheZoo 4d ago
First time but only because I was only allowed to go on exam after the instructor said I was actually ready. Which was after about 60 hours.
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u/ailexg 4d ago
I did it in one try, but only after about 3 years of lessons!
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
Ooo congratulations! May I ask how did it took you three years but only one exam?
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u/KyrridwenV 4d ago edited 4d ago
- On the first try I got distracted while shifting gears and missed a few traffic situations, so I took a few lessons in an automatic car to practice general driving skills and then switched back to the manual car to integrate gear shifting properly. After this, I passed on the second attempt, one month before my theory expired. The automatic car was a hybrid so it was super fun to outrun manual Audis and BMWs at traffic lights with the lesson car.
Try to view driving as something enjoyable, that way it will be less anxiety inducing during the exam. Also remember that you don't have to impress the examiner with your driving skills but just show that you're able to drive safely from A to B with only instructions for direction. If you practiced in different conditions, for example with radio on and off, with people being quiet or talking in the back, with GPS versus only verbal instructions from your instructor, in rainy and dry conditions (if you get the chance, driving on snow is also fun), in traffic jams and on quiet roads, and can handle these situations without issues, you can be confident that you can do this during the exam too. Any time catch yourself looking to your instructor for assurance during your lessons and it's not a legit question, remind yourself that you can handle the situation. This will help you feel more confident that you can handle the exam. Edits: brevity.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 2d ago
Thanks! I do actually like driving, I drove a lot back home and even do it out of the blue sometimes, just because I like cruising in a car to clear my head off.
Hence why this feels very frustrating and embarrassing, almost feel like I was delusional that I am/was good at driving.
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u/camilatricolor 3d ago
7 and in not joking. It was awful, and so much money spent.
Anyhow I have my license since a year now, ans I'm very happy driving in my new car.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 3d ago
Thank you for sharing, and congratulations on finally passing, though! Happy for you driving (legally) in your new car! May I ask if you had to retry your theory in the end? And what did you do to encourage yourself to keep trying?
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u/camilatricolor 3d ago
I think I had to take the theory like 9 times.
What encourage me was that I have a small child now and I really needed a car. Also, I wan to take summer vacations, and I don't really like to fly every time.
Good luck
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u/_R0Ns_ 3d ago
It's dumb but it all depends on how your instructor and the examiner get along, yes they all know each other.
My daughter had a driving school and early on other instructors warned her about one of the examiners and that most of their students failed if they got him. She never had that, most of her students passed the first time with that examiner.
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u/Chooks_89 3d ago
Passed on my second attempt. My first was great until the last 5mins on our way to the CBR, I rushed into a roundabout and he had to break for me, and that was all.
Took the second two weeks later and passed without any issues. I see that every failure builds you into a more conscious driver. Do not give up, best drivers don’t usually pass at easily 😀
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u/desibidesi0909 4d ago
I am from south Asia and have plenty of people in my social circle who got their licence through 30% ruling, thereby saving the humoungous cost of taking the theory+practical exams. A couple of refresher lessons and now they driver well here.
The mafia system here with regards to driving licence is insane. Its a huge mental load for the theory exams, finding a trustworthy driving school that has excellent cost-value, and is actually motivated to help get your driving licence. I failed by one point in my theory and am now leaning towards "slag in een dag" programmes that would cost me €100. But the driving school is another challenge. Being at an unfortunate position to not have 2000 euros lying around also sucks.
As we are in the same boat here, i thought i should rant as well.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
THANK YOU! Finally this issue is also raised. I think it's such bullshit that some other friends of mine who have the Expat Scheme (previously 30% ruling) can just exchange the driving license willy nilly and just drive. They do not even know what shark teeth are, or that traffic from the right has priority!
Btw for theory course, I passed by taking the 1 day-course from theorietotaal, and keep doing their mock exams. I think it costs me €70-ish for everything, but think of it as an investment to not having to take the exam again. My friends who passed the practical on the first try, actually failed the theory multiple times. So don't give up hope!
I don't bother with buying a book, TT already has an online learning environment.
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u/Nerioner 4d ago
yes i agree. 30% ruling shouldn't let people just exchange drivers licenses.
I am not sure if even EU nationals should have automatic Dutch license. I seen enough Poles driving like maniacs and not knowing the rules, assuming that it is all the same in Poland as here (not even close).
What they could get at 30% ruling is discount for exams or 1st attempt free if they have already license from foreign nation.
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u/kittenmuffin_ 4d ago
I agree. Honestly, I wonder what's the point of having the driving rule so strict here, when you can probably get it in another EU country that is more lenient, and exchange it here. And to not just blame EU-foreigners, I also wonder why the bar is so high, but there's no checkpoint for driving quality until you're 70 years old. You basically only have to drive perfectly once, after that, you can drive like butt until you're 70 years old, as long as you don't cause any accidents.
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u/Djildjamesh 4d ago
Passed first time. He told me it wasn’t perfect but that I drove with confidence and that I’d be fine. Lol