A digital driving licence from 2029? What's confirmed and what it means for you

Your driving licence on your phone, and the pink card left at home? According to De Telegraaf (6 November 2026, based on Autovisie), that will be possible in the Netherlands from 2029. What has actually been decided, and what does it mean for you if you are studying for your theory exam now? Here is the overview.

What does the news say?

• Target 2029: an RDW spokesperson told Autovisie: "The Netherlands is aiming to go live from 2029." According to De Telegraaf, you will then be able to show both your driving licence and your vehicle registration in the RDW app.
• A law change comes first: "Among other things, national legislation needs to be changed. That is being prepared," the RDW says in the article.
• Across borders too: according to the article, the RDW is confident that in 2029 the digital licence can be used in the whole EU, or a large part of it.
• Other countries: according to De Telegraaf, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Italy and France, among others, already have a digital licence for checks at home, and Germany follows this month with its i-Kfz app.

Note: 2029 is an RDW target, not yet a legal date. In its own news item from April 2025, the RDW still said "mid-2030".

What is officially fixed?

• The EU rules have been adopted: the new EU Driving Licence Directive (EU) 2025/2205 of 22 October 2025 introduces a digital (mobile) driving licence in the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI wallet). Countries must put the rules into national law by 26 November 2028 and apply them from 26 November 2029.
• The card is not disappearing: under the directive, the physical and the digital licence are fully equivalent, and you keep the right to ask for a physical licence (or both). The RDW also writes that the licence card will remain for anyone who wants it.
• Not valid at a check yet: in the RDW Voertuigapp you can already view your licence details (test version, Android only). The RDW is clear: you must still carry your driving licence while driving.
• CBR: writing about this directive in December 2025, the CBR said the new rules do not apply yet and that "for now nothing changes".

So the headline "pink card no longer needed" is only half right: with a digital licence you may not need to carry the card in future, but according to the EU and the RDW the card will still exist for anyone who wants it.

What does this mean for you as a student?

• Your theory exam does not change because of this. You study and take the exam exactly as you do now.
• Passing soon? Then you get your licence the way it works now: the pink card. You must carry it when you drive.
• Later, you choose: once the digital licence is available, the EU rules let you choose digital, physical or both.

Tip from The Bro School

Don't let news about later distract you: focus on your theory now. Practise with full exams and, after every exam, read the explanation for each question you got wrong. See our packages at thebroschool.nl/en/courses.

Sources: De Telegraaf, 6 November 2026 (source: Autovisie); RDW: licence details in the RDW Voertuigapp; RDW: RDW is developing a digital driving licence, 4 April 2025; Directive (EU) 2025/2205, 22 October 2025; CBR: the 4th Driving Licence Directive, 1 December 2025.