Learner drivers in the Netherlands will learn about the CBR's decision to temporarily suspend the intermediate driving test (TTT). This article details how this measure is being used to shorten practical driving exam waiting lists and improve planning for your driving licence. It clarifies the practical implications for your exam journey and the CBR's strategy to manage testing capacity.
Article content overview
The Dutch driving test system, managed by the CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen), has implemented a significant temporary measure: the suspension of the Tussentijdse Toets (TTT), or intermediate driving test. This strategic decision, which began in April 2025 and is anticipated to last up to a year, aims to directly address and reduce the lengthy reservation periods for practical driving exams across the Netherlands. For learner drivers, understanding the implications of this TTT ban is crucial for effective planning of their driving licence journey and for accurately interpreting test availability. The CBR's initiative to reallocate examiners and optimize capacity is fundamentally reshaping the landscape of practical exam bookings.
The decision to temporarily suspend the Tussentijdse Toets (TTT) is a calculated move by the CBR to alleviate the considerable pressure on its practical exam scheduling system. Historically, the TTT offered candidates an intermediate assessment before their final practical exam, allowing them to potentially exempt themselves from certain parts of the final test if they performed exceptionally well. However, the demand for TTTs, coupled with the demand for final practical exams, contributed to growing waiting lists. By pausing the TTT, the CBR can redirect its examiner resources and administrative capacity towards fulfilling the backlog of final practical exam bookings, thereby aiming to achieve more uniform and significantly shorter waiting times nationwide. This measure directly impacts the overall efficiency of the driving examination process.
The primary and most immediate effect of the TTT ban is the reduction in waiting times for the final practical driving exam. The CBR has reported initial positive trends since the measure's inception in April 2025. In major urban centres like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Rijswijk, and Groningen, the reservation periods for category B (car) driving tests have already seen a notable decrease, with some areas now experiencing wait times as short as 12 weeks. This is a significant improvement compared to previous periods where waiting times could extend considerably longer. The CBR utilizes a new calculation method, introduced in March 2025, to report these reservation periods, indicating that the stated periods are minimums and actual booking opportunities might arise sooner depending on real-time availability.
The CBR's objective with the TTT suspension is to create more breathing room within the system, allowing driving schools and their students to plan practical exams with greater certainty and less delay. This aims to create a more stable and predictable environment for obtaining a driving license.
Beyond suspending the TTT, the CBR has actively engaged in reallocating its driving examiners. Examiners from regions experiencing lower demand or fewer TTTs have been strategically moved to busier areas with more substantial backlogs of practical exam bookings. This targeted approach to resource distribution is essential for standardizing waiting periods across the country. The goal is to prevent significant disparities in access to practical exams, ensuring that learner drivers in different parts of the Netherlands have a more equitable opportunity to book their tests within a reasonable timeframe. This proactive management of personnel is key to the success of the TTT ban.
The capacity that was previously dedicated to the Tussentijdse Toets is now being effectively utilized to offer more specialized driving exams. Categories such as BE (car with trailer), AVB (preparatory motorcycle skills test), AVD (practical motorcycle test), and AM2 (moped) are seeing a substantial increase in available examination slots during Summer 2025, compared to the previous year. This expansion of capacity for these specific categories demonstrates the CBR's commitment to addressing demand across all vehicle types. Furthermore, due to positive capacity forecasts, a limited form of anonymous reservation is being reintroduced for the BE-exam, providing more booking flexibility.
For learner drivers preparing for their Dutch driving licence, the TTT ban has direct implications for how and when you should plan your practical exam. While the theory exam remains a prerequisite and must be passed first, the improved waiting times for practical tests mean that the period between passing your theory and undertaking your practical exam can potentially be shorter. It is essential to stay informed about current reservation times and to book your practical exam as soon as you feel adequately prepared, considering the 18-month validity of your theory certificate. Your driving school will be a valuable resource in navigating these changes and advising on the optimal time to book your test.
Even with reduced waiting times, it's vital to continue your driving lessons and practice diligently. The goal is not just to pass the exam, but to become a safe and competent driver. The current system improvements should allow for more focused preparation without the added stress of excessively long delays.
While the temporary suspension of the TTT is yielding positive results, the CBR acknowledges the demand to reinstate it in areas where waiting times have significantly decreased. However, the organization emphasizes the need for more time to establish a stable national picture and ensure that progress is not undermined. The strategy is to achieve a consistent and manageable system across the board before considering the full reintroduction of the TTT. This measured approach ensures that the improvements made are sustainable and benefit all learner drivers in the long term. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for any aspiring driver in the Netherlands.
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The Tussentijdse Toets (TTT) is an optional intermediate practical driving test offered by the CBR in the Netherlands, designed to familiarize candidates with the exam process and allow them to potentially earn exemptions for certain parts of the final practical exam.
The CBR has temporarily suspended the TTT as a measure to increase the capacity for regular practical driving exams, aiming to significantly reduce the current long waiting times for candidates across the Netherlands.
By suspending the TTT, more examiners and slots are available for the final practical driving tests, which should lead to shorter reservation periods and make it easier to book your exam sooner.
The temporary ban on the TTT is expected to last up to one year from its start in April 2025. The CBR will assess the situation to determine if it can be reinstated or if further measures are needed.
If you were planning to take the TTT, focus your preparation directly on the final practical driving exam. The CBR's reallocation of resources aims to improve overall test availability, so continue with your driving lessons and prepare thoroughly for the main test.
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