Getting a driving licence is a serious investment. According to new figures from the CBR, candidates paid an average of €3,625 for their Category B licence in the first half of 2026. That's just over €300 more than a year earlier.
Many people see that amount as fixed. But part of it is actually in your hands. How well you prepare for your theory affects how many exams you take and how many driving lessons you need. In this article, we show you where you can save.
Why Getting a Licence Keeps Getting More Expensive
In the first half of 2026, candidates needed an average of 42.5 driving lessons, compared with 41 in 2025. At the same time, lessons have become more expensive, most likely because of higher fuel prices. Most candidates now pay between €54 and €78 per lesson hour.
Exams add up too. On average, candidates take the theory exam 2.6 times and the practical exam twice before they get their licence.
Want to see exactly what makes up that €3,625? Take a look at our full overview of driving licence costs.
Saving 1: Pass Your Theory Exam the First Time
A theory exam costs €50.50. That doesn't sound like much, but because candidates take the exam 2.6 times on average, the average cost comes to €135.
| Number of attempts | Exam fees |
|---|---|
| 1 attempt | €50.50 |
| 2 attempts | €101.00 |
| 3 attempts | €151.50 |
| Average (2.6 attempts, according to the CBR) | €135 |
Pass the first time and you save around €80 in exam fees compared with the average.
There's more to it than that. Every retake means finding a new exam date and waiting again. You can't take your practical exam without a theory certificate, so if your theory is delayed, your whole journey is delayed. In the meantime, you'll often keep taking lessons to stay sharp. Good preparation helps you avoid those costs.
Saving 2: Get More Out of Every Driving Lesson
Driving lessons are by far the biggest expense: €2,785 per candidate on average. This is exactly where solid theory knowledge can make a difference.
During a lesson, you want to spend as much time as possible driving. If you don't know the traffic rules well yet, part of your lesson time goes to explanations. Think of questions like:
- Who has priority here?
- What does this sign or road marking mean?
- Which lane do I need on a multi-lane roundabout?
- What's the speed limit here?
Those explanations matter, but you're paying €54 to €78 an hour for them. If you already know the rules, your instructor can focus on what you can only learn in the car: steering, changing gears, observing, judging and deciding.
This is especially true if you learned to drive elsewhere or are new to Dutch roads. Rules such as giving way to traffic from the right, including cyclists, can take some getting used to. It's much cheaper to learn them before you get behind the wheel.
Hazard perception plays a role too. It's a fixed part of the theory exam, and it's exactly the skill you need in real traffic. When you spot hazards earlier, you drive more calmly and with more confidence.
How many lessons you save differs per person. But every lesson you don't need saves you €54 to €78 right away. Two fewer lessons already adds up to €108 to €156.
Saving 3: Be Better Prepared for Your Practical Exam
A practical exam usually costs between €250 and €350 per attempt, including driving school costs. On average, candidates take it twice.
During the practical exam, you show that you can apply the traffic rules safely and correctly. If you truly understand those rules, you don't have to think about them during the exam, which leaves more room to focus on the driving itself. Good theory knowledge doesn't guarantee a pass, but it gives you a strong foundation.
Example: What Could It Save You?
Say you pass your theory the first time, your knowledge helps you need three fewer lessons, and you avoid one retake. Your savings would look roughly like this:
| Saving | Amount |
|---|---|
| Theory exam passed first time (vs. average) | approx. €80 |
| 3 fewer driving lessons (at €65) | approx. €195 |
| One fewer practical exam retake | €250 to €350 |
| Total | €525 to €625 |
This is an example, and your situation may be different. But it shows how strong preparation can easily save you hundreds of euros.
How to Approach Your Theory the Smart Way
- Start early. Begin your theory before or at the start of your driving lessons, so you already know the rules when you get in the car.
- Practise with real exam questions. Practice exams show you exactly what to expect and where you still need to focus.
- Choose the approach that suits you. Prefer to learn everything in one go? The one-day theory course is a great fit. Rather study at your own pace? Go for the online theory course.
- Book your exam when you're ready. Booking too early often costs you an extra attempt.
- Give hazard perception extra attention. It's a skill you'll use in the car from day one.
Conclusion
A driving licence costs €3,625 on average in 2026, but that amount isn't set in stone. Passing your theory the first time saves you exam fees and waiting time. And a good understanding of the traffic rules helps you get more out of every lesson. That's how good theory preparation can easily save you hundreds of euros.
Want to pass your theory the first time? Nutheorie is here to help, with a one-day course or an online course.
Source of figures: CBR, first half of 2026.
