CBR Car Theory B
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The CBR Car Theory B exam is the Dutch theory test for passenger cars (category B), administered by the Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen (CBR). Passing it is a legal prerequisite for taking the practical driving test in the Netherlands, so it is aimed at learner drivers, drivers converting a foreign licence, and anyone who needs a valid Dutch car theory certificate. The exam is delivered in Dutch or English at CBR test centres and consists entirely of multiple-choice questions. Content is grouped into six areas: traffic rules and priority, traffic signs and road markings, safe and responsible driving behaviour, vehicle control and manoeuvring, hazard perception and anticipation, and vehicle knowledge, maintenance and environment. Questions test judgement rather than pure recall, so many items present a short situation and ask what you should do or expect next. Prepare with the official CBR syllabus and a reputable self-study method, then practise under timed conditions until you consistently answer scenario questions correctly. The CBR publishes current details on question count, duration, fee, passing score and retakes on its own website; always check there, as these figures change. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the CBR.
What you'll study
About CBR Car Theory B preparation
What is the difference between Car Theory A and Car Theory B?
Category B covers passenger cars up to 3,500 kg, which is what most learner drivers take. The CBR also offers theory for other categories such as motorcycle and truck. Check the CBR site for which certificate your licence application requires before booking.
Is the exam only multiple choice?
Yes. The CBR car theory exam is made up of multiple-choice questions, many of them based on a short described situation or a picture-style scenario. There is no separate oral or practical component; the practical driving test is booked separately after you pass theory.
How many questions are there and how long do I have?
The CBR sets and periodically adjusts the number of questions and the time allowed. Because these details change, they are not stated here. Check the CBR website or your booking confirmation for the current format before your test date.
What score do I need to pass?
The passing score is set by the CBR and can differ between exam versions, with some questions weighted more heavily. Do not rely on a remembered number from a forum. Confirm the current requirement on the CBR site, and aim well above it in practice tests.
How difficult is it, and why do people fail?
Most failures come from misreading priority situations, rushing scenario questions, or memorising signs without understanding how rules interact. Hazard-perception items punish guessing. Practise explaining why each answer is right or wrong, and slow down on questions involving intersections, cyclists and emerging from driveways.
Can I retake the exam if I fail?
Yes, you can rebook, but the CBR applies rules on how soon you may resit and how many attempts are allowed within a period. The current retake policy and any waiting time are published by the CBR; check there rather than assuming you can book the next day.
In what language can I take the exam?
The CBR offers the car theory exam in Dutch and in a number of other languages, including English, with conditions attached. Availability can change, so confirm the language options and any extra requirements on the CBR website when you book.
How long is the theory certificate valid?
A Dutch theory certificate is valid for a limited period, and the practical test must be passed within it. The exact validity period is set by the CBR and can be adjusted, so check the current rule on the CBR site and plan your practical lessons accordingly.
In what order should I study the six topic areas?
Start with signs, signals and road markings, because they underpin priority rules. Then study traffic rules and priority together, since they are examined as one skill. Add safe driving behaviour and hazard anticipation, then vehicle control, and finish with maintenance and environment, which carries the smallest share.
How should I prepare in the final week?
Do full-length timed practice sets rather than topic drills, and review every wrong answer by writing the rule it tested. Re-read priority scenarios and overtaking rules, and avoid cramming new material the night before. Sleep well; hazard questions reward calm reading more than last-minute memorisation.