Dutch & English
Bilingual Driving School

A Category B licence is the licence that allows you to drive a passenger car. During your training at RijCentraal you learn not only how to operate the car, but above all how to take part in traffic safely, independently and responsibly. Our driving lessons focus on good preparation for the CBR practical exam and on driving independently after you pass your test.

Yes, we offer both automatic and manual driving lessons.

A trial lesson is the best way to get to know RijCentraal, your instructor and our way of teaching. During the trial lesson we assess your current level, traffic awareness, vehicle control and learning pace.

Based on that, we can advise you personally on your training and the number of lessons that likely fits your situation. A trial lesson is therefore not just an introduction, but the start of a personal training plan.

That depends on the current availability of our instructors and your preferred lesson times. After you register we try to find a suitable instructor and schedule as quickly as possible.

Want to start soon? When you sign up, give several days and times when you are available.

We aim for you to have the same instructor as much as possible. A regular instructor knows your level, progress, strengths and areas to improve.

That way your lessons can build logically on each other. If an instructor is ill, on holiday or unavailable, another instructor may temporarily take your lessons.

Yes. You plan your lessons in consultation with RijCentraal and your instructor. We try to take school, study, work and other commitments into account as much as possible.

Availability may vary by instructor, day and time.

Yes, depending on availability, evening lessons are possible. Evening lessons are also useful because you gain experience in different traffic conditions and driving in the dark.

Within our service area, a suitable pick-up and drop-off location can be agreed in consultation.

When a female instructor is available, we try to respect your preference. Please state your preference when you register.

We believe every student should feel comfortable and safe during their training.

You may start car driving lessons from age 16½. You can take your theory test from age 16 and your practical test from age 17. If you pass before you turn 18, you may only drive with a registered coach and a begeleiderspas (supervisor pass) under the 2toDrive scheme until you are 18.

There is no fixed number of lessons that applies to every student. The number depends on your learning pace, age, driving experience, traffic awareness, concentration, regularity and confidence.

At RijCentraal we look at the individual student. During a trial lesson we can assess your level and give an initial estimate of the training that suits you.

That varies per student. Someone who drives several times a week can usually complete their course faster than someone who drives once a week, for example.

Your theory, personal development, availability and current CBR exam options also play a role.

For many students, regular lessons work best. One or two lessons per week helps what you have learned stick better.

If you want to progress faster and have enough time, multiple lessons per week may be possible.

Yes, when scheduling allows. This can be useful if you want to progress faster or follow a more intensive course.

Your instructor can work with you to decide which lesson frequency best matches your level and learning pace.

Longer lessons can be very helpful because there is more time to practise different traffic situations in a row. Especially in Amsterdam and the surrounding area, extra lesson time can be useful to train different types of roads, junctions, motorways and traffic situations.

However, the best lesson length depends on the student.

Yes. Not everyone needs to pass as quickly as possible. Some students learn better when the course is built up calmly and step by step.

At RijCentraal we therefore look at your level and learning pace.

An intensive course may be possible, depending on your starting level, availability, theory and exam options.

An intensive course does not mean that important parts are skipped. You must ultimately be able to drive independently and safely.

Yes. Have you already taken lessons at another school? You do not automatically have to start again.

During an intake or trial lesson we assess what you already master and what still needs work. We then create a suitable follow-up plan.

No. You can start practical lessons before you have passed your theory test.

We do advise starting your theory early. Theory knowledge helps you understand traffic situations faster during lessons and prevents unnecessary delays later in your course.

From what age can I take the theory test?

For Category B you may take the theory test from age 16. Car driving lessons may be taken from age 16½.

You arrange your theory test through the CBR. Preferably use the official CBR website directly for this.

Yes. Theory and practice reinforce each other. When you understand traffic rules, right-of-way situations, signs and safe behaviour, you can learn to anticipate faster during your lessons.

We therefore advise not treating theory and practice as completely separate.

You are ready for your practical exam when you can drive sufficiently independently, safely and responsibly and your instructor believes your level meets the exam requirements.

We look not only at how many lessons you have taken, but above all at what you can actually do.

Your instructor discusses your progress with you. When your level is sufficient, you can agree together when it is wise to plan the practical exam.

The goal is not to send you to the exam as quickly as possible, but to let you take part well prepared.

You must meet the current CBR requirements. These include, among other things, a valid theory certificate and the required health procedure. Always check the current CBR instructions before your exam. The Dutch government also confirms that for the practical exam, among other things, theory and a health declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring) are important.

With a Gezondheidsverklaring, the CBR assesses whether you are medically fit to drive a vehicle safely.
In some situations additional information or examination may be required. It is therefore wise to arrange this part of your course in good time.

A driving school needs authorisation from you for certain actions around your practical exam. This gives RijCentraal permission to carry out the necessary exam-related steps at the CBR on your behalf.

Always use the official CBR environment for CBR matters.

During the practical exam, the examiner assesses whether you can take part in traffic independently, safely and responsibly.

It is not only about steering, changing gear or parking. Observation, traffic awareness, decision-making, safety, independence and how you interact with other road users are also important.

Failing does not mean you start your entire course again.

After the exam we discuss which areas need extra attention. Lessons can then focus specifically on those points before you take the exam again.

Yes. If you did not pass, we can draw up a follow-up plan together and prepare you for another practical exam.

If you failed at another school and then want to switch to RijCentraal, we can first assess your current level.

Yes. Driving anxiety does not have to stop you from learning to drive.

Tell your instructor where you feel tension. The course can then be built up calmly and step by step, so your confidence and driving skills can develop together.

Established Amsterdam driving schools also treat driving anxiety and specific support as a separate part of their training.

Yes. If you struggle with specific situations such as motorways, merging, busy junctions, parking or driving in the city centre, extra attention can be given to those during your lessons.

Yes. Refresher lessons are for drivers who already have a licence but have not driven for a long time, feel uncertain, or want to practise specific traffic situations again.

Yes. Driving lessons are not only for students without a licence. Depending on our availability, specific skills and traffic situations can be practised in a targeted way.

Yes, when automatic lessons are available in RijCentraal's current offering. An automatic car can give some students more calm because they need to focus less on clutch and gear changes.

That differs per person. In an automatic you do not have to clutch and change gear yourself, so you can pay more attention to traffic, observation and anticipation.

A manual car requires more vehicle control, but depending on current licence rules it may offer different options after you pass.

When both options are available, that can be arranged in consultation. Sometimes during the course it becomes clear that a student develops more comfortably in an automatic.

Always discuss this with your instructor before you decide.

Depending on what is currently offered, at RijCentraal you can choose individual lessons or a lesson package.

Which option is most suitable and best value depends on your level and the training you need.

A lesson package gives you clearer upfront insight into the parts of your course and the associated costs.

When comparing packages, look not only at the total price but also at what is actually included.

When instalment payment is available for the package you choose, RijCentraal's current payment terms apply.

Contact us for the options that apply to your course.

If you end your course early, settlement is handled according to RijCentraal's lesson agreement and general terms.

Lessons already taken and other services already delivered or reserved may be settled separately. Always read the applicable terms carefully before buying a package.

Any remaining lessons are handled according to the terms of the package you chose and RijCentraal's general terms.

Yes. A scheduled lesson can be changed or cancelled according to RijCentraal's current cancellation terms.

Note the minimum cancellation period. If you cancel too late, the reserved lesson may be charged.

Contact us as soon as possible if you cannot drive due to illness. The current cancellation terms then apply.

If an instructor unexpectedly cannot work, we try to inform you as soon as possible and find a suitable solution or new appointment.

Safety always comes first. In extreme weather or traffic conditions it may be decided that a lesson cannot responsibly go ahead.

When that happens, we will contact you about your appointment.

Safety always comes first. In extreme weather or traffic conditions it may be decided that a lesson cannot responsibly go ahead.

When that happens, we will contact you about your appointment.

Yes. During your course we follow your development and discuss which areas are going well and which still need attention.

That way you know where you stand and we work purposefully towards independent driving.

Yes. Feedback is an important part of learning to drive.

Your instructor discusses what went well, what can improve and what to work on in the next lessons. That way you understand not only what to do, but also why.

During your course you drive in a variety of traffic situations and areas relevant to your development and exam preparation.

However, we do not train you to memorise routes. The ultimate goal is that you can drive independently and safely everywhere, including on roads you have never seen before.

Independent route planning and using navigation can be part of your course.

Traffic safety always remains more important than blindly following a navigation system.

Yes. Parking and other special manoeuvres are part of your development as a driver. You learn not only how to perform a manoeuvre technically, but also how to do it safely with attention for other road users.

Yes. When your level allows, attention is also given to driving on higher-speed roads, including merging, exiting, keeping distance, lane choice and safe anticipation.

RijCentraal provides driving courses in Amsterdam and the surrounding service area. Whether we can pick you up at your preferred location depends on current scheduling and the instructor's service area.

Contact us to check your postcode or pick-up location.

Within the service area this can often be arranged in consultation with your instructor.

For example, a lesson may start at home and, when scheduling allows, end at school, work or another agreed location.

Contact us and tell us which language you prefer. We will then look at which instructor and options are available.

Clear communication between student and instructor is important for a safe and effective course.

Ask about current options for English-language lessons when you register. In an international city like Amsterdam this is relevant for many students.

No. If you pass before you turn 18, you must drive with a registered coach and hold a begeleiderspas until you are 18. From age 18 you may drive independently.

2toDrive makes it possible to take driving lessons from age 16½ and to obtain your licence from age 17. Until you turn 18 you then gain extra driving experience under the supervision of a registered coach. The programme is intended to let young drivers build more experience under supervised conditions.

When this is agreed with the student and in line with applicable privacy rules, practical arrangements can be made for communication with parents or guardians.

At RijCentraal, a driving course is about more than passing the practical exam alone.

We work on safety, traffic awareness, independence, vehicle control and confidence. Every student learns differently. We therefore try to tailor the course to your level, pace and personal development.

Our goal is clear:

not only to pass your driving test, but to learn to drive for life.