Automatic driving tests soar in Netherlands as electric cars gain ground

The number of automatic driving tests in the Netherlands has skyrocketed over the past decade. Last year, nearly 61,000 automatic driving tests were conducted, up from just over 8,200 in 2015, according to the CBR.

Despite this growth, the traditional manual-transmission exam remains dominant, accounting for roughly 88 percent of the 496,000 driving tests taken in 2025.

The increase in automatic exams is reportedly partly linked to the growing presence of electric vehicles, which do not require manual gear shifting. However, many students still prefer manual cars because electric models are often pricier than used gasoline or diesel vehicles.

A CBR spokesperson said, “That means driving schools hesitate to fully switch to automatic or electric cars because they fear losing part of the market. Most driving schools are one-person operations with only one lesson car, so they play it safe with a fossil-fuel manual car.”

After passing an automatic test, drivers receive code 78 on their license, limiting them to automatic vehicles. A full manual license allows drivers to operate any car, which remains the standard for most students.

European regulations may soon make automatic licenses standard in the Netherlands. Under the proposed rules, manual licenses would require additional lessons. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, together with the CBR and the RDW, is exploring options, with more clarity expected in the second half of 2027.

Germany already allows drivers to earn a full license after only automatic-car training, with extra lessons in manual cars if desired. Dutch industry groups, including Bovag and the Federatie Autorijschool Management (FAM), support a similar system, though they note potential fraud risks and the need for officially certified schools to provide manual lessons.

Pass rates reportedly show a clear difference between manual and automatic tests. Overall, B-license pass rates have hovered around 50 percent for years, up from 36 percent in 1993. Automatic tests had a lower pass rate of 38 percent in 2025. The CBR suggests this may be because automatic tests are often taken by students who struggle with driving and need multiple attempts.