CBR Theory Exam in English: Amsterdam and Other Locations

Searching for a 'CBR near me' is usually the first practical step after you decide to get a Dutch driving licence. The CBR runs theory exam halls across the country, and you choose your location yourself while booking. This guide explains where the main exam locations are, how to select one in MijnCBR, and what changes — and what doesn't — when you take the theory exam in English.

Where can you take the CBR theory exam?

Theory exams are held at dedicated CBR exam halls (theorie-examenlocaties), which are separate from the practical exam branches. Locations used by learners across the country include:

• Amsterdam — a convenient option for many learners in the Randstad; check MijnCBR for current availability.
• Rijswijk — the location most Den Haag learners use.
• Rotterdam — convenient for the southern Randstad.
• Utrecht — central and well connected by train.
• Eindhoven — the main option for Brabant.
• Arnhem and Nijmegen — for the eastern provinces.
• Zwolle and Groningen — for the north.
• Maastricht — for Limburg.

The list of open halls changes from time to time, so treat the options shown inside MijnCBR when you book as the authoritative list. Every hall uses the same computer-based exam, so your choice is purely about travel time and slot availability — never about difficulty.

Taking the CBR theory exam in English in Amsterdam

If Amsterdam is your preferred location, select it while booking in MijnCBR and compare the available dates before confirming. The booking flow shows whether English is available for your chosen exam and time. Plan the route in advance and use the exact address in your confirmation, because exam availability and venue details can change.

Do all locations offer the exam in English?

The theory exam is delivered on screen, and the language is a setting on your booking rather than a property of the building. You select English when you book, and the questions, answer options, and on-screen instructions appear in English at whichever hall you chose. A few road signs still carry their original Dutch wording — 'uitgezonderd' (except) is the classic one — because that is exactly how you would see them on the road.

How to pick your location while booking

1. Log in to MijnCBR with your DigiD.
2. Choose 'Theorie-examen B' (the car theory exam).
3. Set the exam language to English.
4. Pick the exam location from the list, then choose from the available dates and times at that hall.
5. Pay the current fee shown in MijnCBR to confirm the slot.

If your nearest hall has no slots for weeks, widen the search: a hall one train ride away often has space much sooner, and an earlier exam date is usually worth the extra travel.

What to bring on exam day

• A valid passport, ID card, or Dutch residence permit. Without valid ID you cannot sit the exam and the fee is not refunded.
• Your booking confirmation, so you know your exact time and hall.
• Arrive about 15 minutes early — the CBR is strict about start times.

Phones, bags, and notes go into a locker before you enter the exam room. You get a short instruction before the test starts, and your result appears on screen the moment you finish.

Choosing a location is the easy part

Wherever you sit the exam, you need the same core skills: recognising hazards, knowing the rules and applying them safely. Strong preparation comes from practising realistic questions by topic until you can explain why an answer is correct — not from searching for an easier exam hall.