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Driving licence seized: what happens next?

Dutch police have taken your driving licence. The prosecutor then decides whether to retain it or return it provisionally; check the decision.

Duration: 1:18

Further reading and sources

This video summarizes the main points. The full article provides more detail, exceptions and official sources. The information concerns adult suspects and does not replace advice about your case.

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Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

Dutch police have taken your driving licence. The prosecutor then decides whether to retain it or return it provisionally; check the decision.

During seizure, do not drive a motor vehicle, including a scooter or tractor. Arrange transport with someone else while the restriction applies.

Keep your documents and follow the prosecutor's decision. Receiving no letter does not mean you are allowed to drive again; ask about the decision.

Document specific work or caring responsibilities. Explain why alternative transport is insufficient, and provide evidence rather than relying on a general statement.

Discuss a request to the prosecutor or a complaint to the court. Prepare supporting documents; return of the licence is not guaranteed.

The Dutch driving authority, the CBR, can make separate decisions. Check all restrictions, even if the prosecutor returns your driving licence.

Read the full explanation on the Criminal Law in the Netherlands website.

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Understand the supporting sources

Sources and supporting information

Here you can find the sources for this page. Open the original publication for the full explanation, conditions and exceptions.

  1. Public Prosecution Service: regain driving licenseOpens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/r/rijbewijs-mijn-rijbewijs-is-ingenomen/ik-wil-mijn-rijbewijs-terugkrijgen
  2. Public Prosecution Service: instruction for seizure of driving licensesOpens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/b/beleidsregels/instructies/verkeer/instructie-inzake-de-invordering-van-rijbewijzen-2022i004
  3. National government: when is a driver's license confiscated?Opens in a new tabrijksoverheid.nlhttps://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/vraag-en-antwoord/rijbewijs/wanneer-wordt-mijn-rijbewijs-ingevorderd
  4. Case law: complaint for restitution of driving licenseOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/onderwerpen/klaagschrift-teruggave-rijbewijs
  5. CBR: why the Public Prosecution Service and the CBR?Opens in a new tabcbr.nlhttps://www.cbr.nl/nl/onveilig-rijgedrag/nl/mijn-rijbewijs-is-ingevorderd-wat-nu/waarom-krijg-ik-te-maken-met-het-openbaar-ministerie-en-met-het-cbr

Sources consulted on .

A source reference does not constitute a legal review of this page.

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