The CBR theory exam (theorie-examen) in English

The car theory exam is the one CBR exam you can take in English, at every exam centre. Here is what it looks like, the six words that stay Dutch, and why most people fail it the first time.

The exam in numbers

  • 50 questions, plus 2 test questions that do not count.
  • 44 correct to pass.
  • 30 minutes; 45 minutes with extra time or when individually supervised.
  • Fee: €57.00 in English (€70.50 with extra time).
  • 35.9% of English car theory exams were passed in 2025.

Sources: CBR, how the car theory exam works, CBR tariffs 2026, CBR open data 2025; read 6 September 2026.

Six words stay Dutch

The English exam is a translation of the Dutch one, but the CBR deliberately keeps six legal terms in Dutch, because that is how they appear on signs and in the law. Learn them before the exam; they are not explained on the day.

APK
the periodic vehicle inspection (MOT)
autoweg
a motor road (the blue square sign with a car), not a motorway
brommobiel
a microcar driven on a moped (AM) licence
erf
a living-street / home zone: walking pace, pedestrians may use the whole road
snorfiets
a light moped (blue plate, max 25 km/h)
speed pedelec
a fast e-bike (up to 45 km/h), treated as a moped

Source: CBR theorie-examenplan auto, chapter 6; read 6 September 2026. The short meanings are ours; the exam plan is the authority.

How to prepare

  1. Book the exam first, three to four weeks out, then book your course. The date becomes the deadline you study to. (Tip from the maker of this site, who passed this way.)
  2. Learn the Dutch signs and the six terms above. The questions test Dutch rules: priority from the right, cyclists, trams, the erf.
  3. Do timed mock exams. 30 minutes for 50 questions is 36 seconds each.
Theory.nl — CBR theory course in English →Only 35.9% of English car theory exams were passed in 2025, so prepare before you book. Practice questions, mock exams and video in English from about €20 a week online, plus a one-day class in English in eight cities. Recommended first-hand: the maker of this site passed with theory.nl, using the online course and the day class.

Source: CBR open data, 2025

English is not your language either?

Then you take the theory exam with an interpreter: an individual session, 45 minutes, booked through one of the CBR's contracted agencies at least 14 days ahead. How the exam with an interpreter works →

Source: CBR, theory exam in another language; read 6 September 2026.

Facts read on the CBR pages on 6 September 2026. Guidance, not legal advice; the CBR pages linked above are the authority.