Driving lessons for expats located in Amsterdam: Amsterdam versus Haarlem

So, you live in Amsterdam and you would like to get your driver’s license. We understand, you need to go places. A driver’s license gives you freedom like nothing else!  

Driving in the Netherlands

Obtaining your driver’s license in the Netherlands is not an easy task, it is one of the hardest countries to get your license. Practical exams are notoriously hard. Why? Because the Netherlands is a pretty crowded country, ranking fifth in the worlds’ most densely populated countries (> 10 mln. inhabitants). In urban areas roads are always busy and the diversity of traffic is high. This means big traffic, cars, scooters, bicycles and pedestrians are all moving on the same roads. And Dutch people are always in a hurry. Did I mention endless traffic jams? Despite all this, once you have your license, driving in the Netherlands is usually pretty easy because of the rules and regulations that most people follow neatly. There is however one big exception. Amsterdam.

Learning to drive in Amsterdam: Crazy Traffic

While it’s pretty easy to drive around the rest of the country, driving in Amsterdam is a different kettle of fish. Thousands of cyclists, fast electric trams and narrow streets make driving in the city a stressful pastime. If somewhat possible, the average Dutch person will try to avoid driving in Amsterdam.

You can imagine that these are NOT ideal circumstances to learn how to drive, let alone to have your practical exam. There is a very effective simple solution. Don’t learn to drive in Amsterdam.

Driving lessons in Haarlem

Haarlem is very close to Amsterdam, yet the traffic is much more easygoing. Perfect circumstances to learn how to drive without too much stress caused by the crazy traffic, yet urban enough to learn all you need to learn. Taking your practical exam in Haarlem is much easier compared to Amsterdam and waiting times for exams are shorter in Haarlem.

 To increase your chances of getting your Dutch driver’s license, all you have to do is catch a 15-minute bus or train to Haarlem. Contact us if you would like to know more about high quality driving lessons in Haarlem, adapted for expats. We will help you out!