Code 95 for truck and bus drivers

Are you a professional truck or bus driver?

You need to have code 95 on your driving license. This code 95 is proof that you meet the requirements (training) for professional drivers (Certificate of Professional Competence). It is required to have the indication of code 95 on your truck or bus driving license throughout the European Union when you drive for more than 12 hours per week.

How to obtain code 95?

You can obtain the code 95 on your license if you pass the initial qualification for professional drivers (basiskwalificatie). The initial qualification exists for all categories of C (trucks) and D (buses) licenses. As a resident in the Netherlands, you will be assessed by the Central Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen (CBR).

The CBR will assess your knowledge of administrative procedures, traffic rules, and driving skills over 6 exams. You must successfully complete all exams within a period of 2 years.

You must meet the following requirements to take the exams:

• You need a valid driving license (category B).
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have a Certificate of Fitness (Verklaring van Geschiktheid, VvG). To obtain this certificate, you need to complete a Health Declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring) and undergo a medical examination.

Upon completing your exams, you can apply for code 95 on your license with your municipal authority in the Netherlands. This licence is valid for 5 years.

If you have it and it has expired: How to renew code 95?

When you have code 95, you must complete at least 35 hours of periodic training (nascholing) before it expires.

Once completed, the CBR will notify the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW). Then, you can request a renewal of your driving license with the new expiration date of code 95 with your municipal authority.

If you do not meet the requirements for renewal before your code 95 expires, you will not be able to drive a truck or bus professionally for more than 12 hours a week.

Training registration from other EU countries

Did you receive periodic training in another EU country while living or working there?
You can register this training by notifying the CBR. You must demonstrate that the training received follows the criteria set by the competence directive. You need to provide the CBR with a training certificate issued by the training institution or the responsible authority of the country. You also need to demonstrate that you lived or worked there at the time you received the training.

Code 95 for non-European licenses

Do you have a truck or bus driving license from a country outside the EU or the EEA?

You will need to inquire with the traffic department to check if you can convert your driving license, not all countries are accepted. You need to follow the procedure to obtain code 95 to professionally drive a truck or bus full-time in the Netherlands.

Code 95 for European licenses

Do you have a European C or D license with code 95?
You can drive a truck or bus professionally in the Netherlands. To renew your code 95, you must complete your periodic training in the country where the license was issued. You can convalidate your license from any EU country and the European Economic Area (EEA) for a Dutch driving license.

If you have a European license but not completed your periodic training in the Netherlands, you can apply for a Qualification Card with the RDW. This allows you to register your periodic training on your European license.

I have a CPC/CAP, would this be equivalent to code 95?

Code 95 and the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) are different concepts, although both are related to the training of professional drivers.

Code 95 is a professional qualification on the driving license certifying that the holder has completed mandatory training according to EU regulations. This training includes topics such as road safety, fuel efficiency, and legal regulations, and is mandatory for truck and bus drivers.

The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a specific certification for bus and coach drivers operating in passenger transport. The CPC is obtained by completing the required training and passing the corresponding exams. In some cases, the CPC may be considered equivalent to code 95, but this depends on the specific regulations of the country.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!