rijbewijskaart

Rijbewijskaart is the plastic driving license card used in the Netherlands. It is issued by the Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW) and represents the holder’s entitlement to drive under Dutch and European rules. The card replaced older paper licenses and is designed to be durable and easy to verify.

The card displays personal data such as the holder’s name, date of birth, photograph, and signature, along with the license number, issuing authority, and the dates of issue and expiry. It includes the driving privileges, listing the allowed vehicle categories (for example AM, A1, A, B, BE, C, D and related subcategories), and any restrictions or conditions (such as glasses or automatic transmission only). A machine-readable zone is typically present to facilitate automated checks, and security features such as holograms and other anti-fraud elements are used to protect against counterfeiting.

Usage and validity: the rijbewijskaart serves as proof of both identity and driving entitlement. Within the Netherlands it is commonly used as an official identity document for everyday situations, though it is not a substitute for a national identity card in all contexts. The card can also be used as travel identification within many EU/Schengen countries when a passport is not required for short trips, depending on local rules.

Issuance and renewal: new licenses are issued after meeting the necessary theoretical and practical requirements (and, for some categories or ages, medical or vision checks). Renewals occur before expiry and may result in a new card with updated data and validity terms.