CBR Opens Applications for Driving Instructor Advisory Council April 2026

The CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen), the Dutch authority responsible for driving and theory exams, has officially opened applications for driving instructors to join its adviescommissie or advisory council. The deadline for applications was April 10, 2026, making this an important opportunity for qualified instructors to help shape the future of driver education and practical exam policy in the Netherlands.

What Is the CBR Advisory Council?

The CBR advisory council is a consultative body made up of experienced driving instructors who provide structured feedback and guidance to CBR on matters related to practical driving exams and instructor-related policies. Members of the council are expected to bring practical, on-the-ground insights to help CBR refine exam procedures, grading criteria, and broader policy frameworks.

This is not a ceremonial role. The advisory council has a genuine influence on how CBR develops and adjusts its examination standards from how examiners are trained and evaluated, to how the structure of the practical driving exam (known in Dutch as the rijexamen) is designed and updated. Instructors who join will have a direct line of communication with CBR's policy teams and an opportunity to represent the wider instructor community.

Why This Matters in 2026

The timing of this initiative is particularly significant. The Dutch driving instructor sector is in the middle of considerable change. As reported by CBR News and NuTheorie, the exam authority has been navigating multiple reform pressures simultaneously.

In 2026, CBR raised its exam fees across the board. The practical car exam now costs 143.50 EUR, the theory exam 50.50 EUR, and the health declaration 46.90 EUR.

Driving Instructor Reforms: An Urgent st_collectionextract

Proposals currently before parliament would require that driving lessons become mandatory before exams, instructors complete IBKI-approved training and renew their certification every five years, and instructors who fail the renewal exam three times lose their teaching licence.

These measures aim to boost the current practical exam pass rate which hovers around 52 percent.

The Role of Instructors in CBR policy

The opening of advisory council applications is a direct response to the need for closer collaboration between CBR and the driving instructor community. For driving instructors, this represents a rare opportunity to actively contribute to the future of driver education in the Netherlands.

What Can Advisory Council Members Expect?

Driving instructors who applied for the advisory council can expect regular meetings with CBR policy makers and examiners, consultations on upcoming changes to exam formats or assessment criteria, influence over the implementation of new driving education legislation, and professional recognition as a representative of the instructor community at the national level.

Looking Ahead: The Importance of Collaboration

As driving education legislation is further developed and CBR continues to update its examination standards, the role of the advisory council becomes ever more important. The demand for transparency and cooperation between CBR and driving instructors has grown considerably in recent years.

For driving instructors who missed the April 10 deadline: keep an eye on the CBR website for future opportunities to participate in consultation procedures or working groups. The driving instructor sector is on the verge of major change, and engagement with the policy-making process is more valuable than ever.