New CBR Gezondheidsverklaring: Shorter Health Declaration from 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, the Netherlands will introduce a revised gezondheidsverklaring (health declaration) that promises to simplify the medical assessment process for driving license applicants. This significant update by the CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen) represents a major shift toward more accessible and clearer health requirements for both new learner drivers and existing license holders.

For rijscholen and their students, these changes remove unnecessary barriers and reduce administrative complexity, particularly for individuals with ADHD or autism spectrum disorders.

What Changes in the New Gezondheidsverklaring?

The CBR has announced substantial modifications to the health declaration process. The updated form will be considerably shorter than the current version, with two distinct formats:

• Standard version: 19 questions (reduced from the previous lengthy questionnaire)
• Senior and professional driver version: 14 questions for drivers aged 75+ and professional license categories

This reduction in questions makes the health declaration more focused on genuinely relevant medical conditions that affect driving safety, eliminating redundant or overly broad inquiries that previously caused confusion among applicants.

ADHD and Autism: Major Policy Shift from April 2026

One of the most significant changes affects individuals with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or autism spectrum disorders. From April 1, 2026, questions specifically about ADHD and autism will be completely removed from the gezondheidsverklaring.

More importantly, starting April 1, 2026, applicants with ADHD or autism will no longer be required to undergo a mandatory medical examination (keuring) as a condition for obtaining their driving license. This represents a fundamental shift in policy, recognizing that these conditions do not automatically impair driving ability. You can read more about how the mandatory medical test for ADD/ADHD is being abolished and what this means in practice for affected drivers.

This change removes a significant barrier that has historically affected thousands of Dutch learner drivers, who previously faced additional time, costs, and administrative hurdles to obtain their rijbewijs.

Impact on Rijscholen and Driving Instructors

For driving schools, these changes bring several practical advantages:

Reduced administrative burden: Instructors will spend less time explaining complex medical requirements to students, particularly those with neurodiverse conditions.

Faster student progression: Without mandatory medical examinations for ADHD/autism, students can begin practical lessons sooner, reducing delays in the learning process.

Improved accessibility: The simplified gezondheidsverklaring makes driving education more accessible to a broader student population, potentially expanding your customer base.

Clearer communication: The shorter, clearer format means fewer misunderstandings about which medical conditions require declaration, reducing the risk of students inadvertently providing incomplete information.

What Students Need to Know

If you're planning to obtain your driving license in 2026 or beyond, here's what you should expect:

Timing matters: The new gezondheidsverklaring takes effect on January 1, 2026, while the ADHD/autism examination exemption begins April 1, 2026. If you have ADHD or autism and plan to start your driving lessons, waiting until April 2026 could save you significant time and expense.

Honesty remains essential: While the form is shorter, you must still declare relevant medical conditions truthfully. The simplification doesn't change the legal requirement for accurate health disclosure.

Existing license holders: If you already have a driving license, these changes primarily affect renewals and upgrading to different license categories. Check with the CBR for specific guidance on your situation.

Preparing Your Rijschool for 2026

Driving school owners should take proactive steps before these changes take effect:

1. Update your information materials: Ensure your website and promotional materials reflect the new gezondheidsverklaring requirements by early 2026.

2. Train your instructors: Make sure your team understands the simplified requirements so they can accurately advise students. It's also worth reviewing the new mandatory training requirements for driving instructors introduced in 2026, which affect how instructors must keep their qualifications up to date.

3. Review your intake process: Update intake forms and initial consultations to align with the new 19-question standard format.

4. Reach out to affected students: Contact individuals who may have delayed their driving education due to ADHD/autism examination requirements, informing them of the April 2026 changes.

Conclusion

The revised gezondheidsverklaring from 2026 represents a significant modernization of Dutch driving license requirements. By reducing questions from dozens to just 19 (or 14 for specific categories) and eliminating unnecessary medical barriers for neurodiverse individuals, the CBR's updated policy creates a more inclusive and efficient system.

For rijscholen, these changes mean smoother operations and better service to students. For learner drivers, particularly those with ADHD or autism, the path to obtaining a rijbewijs becomes substantially more straightforward from 2026 onward. Staying informed about all the major changes to the Dutch practical driving tests happening throughout 2026 will help both schools and students navigate this evolving landscape.

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