What to Bring and Expect on the Day of Your Dutch Theory Exam

The day of your Dutch theory exam does not have to feel stressful if you know what to bring and what will happen at the exam centre.
This guide explains what to expect on the day of your CBR car theory exam, so you can arrive prepared and stay calm.

Key things to know in 60 seconds

What to bring to your theory exam

1) A valid identification document

• You must bring a valid ID to your theory exam.
• The personal details on your ID must match the details in the BRP of your municipality.
• If those details do not match, CBR can refuse the exam.

2) Your reservation number

• You also need your reservation number.
• This number appears in the email or letter you received after booking the exam.
• You use it when checking in at the exam centre and again at the exam desk.

3) Do not expect to bring your normal belongings inside

• Only your ID goes into the exam room.
• Other belongings such as your phone, jacket, bag, and other items must stay outside the room.
• This is why it helps to arrive calmly and organise your things early.

What happens at the CBR exam centre

1) Check in at the registration kiosk

• When you arrive, you check in using your reservation number.
• After that, you wait in the waiting area until your number appears with the next step.
• This is why arriving early is useful: you have time to settle in before your turn.

2) Put your belongings in a locker

• Before entering, you must place your belongings in a locker.
• Only your ID stays with you for the exam room.
• This reduces distraction and helps keep the exam process controlled.

3) Security check and ID check

• Before the exam starts, there is a security check.
• CBR uses a hand scanner to check that you are not carrying communication equipment.
• After that, your ID is checked and you receive your table number.

4) Take your seat and start on the computer

• You sit at the correct table, place your ID on the table, and enter your reservation number.
• Then you check your email address and start the exam on the screen.
• If you are sensitive to noise, CBR says you can take earplugs from the holder near the exam room entrance.

What the exam itself is like

1) Standard exam format

• The standard car theory exam is taken on a touchscreen.
• You answer the questions by tapping, selecting, or dragging the correct answer.
• This is useful to know in advance, because the exam is not a paper test.

2) Time limit

• The standard exam lasts 30 minutes.
• You can still change answers while your time is running.
• You can also move to earlier or later questions during the exam.

3) Number of questions

• The exam contains 50 scored questions plus 2 test questions.
• The 2 test questions do not count toward your result.
• Before the real questions begin, you also get 2 practice questions to get used to the system.

4) Pass mark

• You need at least 44 correct answers to pass the exam.
• This is why avoiding small careless mistakes matters so much.
• Many learners know enough to pass, but lose points through rushing.

5) Question types

• CBR uses different question styles.
• You may see drag questions, single-drag questions, fill-in questions, hotspot questions, yes/no questions, multiple choice questions, and multiple response questions.
• Being familiar with these formats makes the real exam feel less stressful.

Useful options if you need extra support

1) English theory exam

• The regular theory exam is also available in English.
• It is still taken on a touchscreen in the exam room.
• CBR says a few Dutch terms can still appear in the English exam.

2) Extra-time exam

• If you need more time, CBR offers a theory exam with extra time.
• That version gives 15 extra minutes, so you have 45 minutes total.
• For some candidates, a computer voice can also read out parts of the exam.

3) Individually guided exam

• CBR also offers an individually guided theory exam for some situations, such as strong exam stress or certain conditions.
• The content of the questions stays the same, but the setting is different.
• This version also gives 45 minutes.

Common mistakes to avoid on exam day

• Arriving too late and starting in a rush.
• Forgetting your ID or reservation number.
• Assuming all your personal details will automatically match if you never checked them.
• Panicking when you see a difficult question instead of marking it and returning later.
• Rushing because you think the time is shorter than it really is.

FAQ

Final tip

• The day of your exam should feel organised, not chaotic.
• If you arrive early, bring the right documents, and know what the process looks like, you already remove a lot of unnecessary stress before the first question even appears.