How long does it take to get your driving licence?
There is no standard answer: one student is ready in three months, another takes a year. We explain the factors that determine the timeline so you can make a realistic plan.
Average journey: 6 to 12 months
An average licence journey at Rijschool Denhaag takes between six and twelve months, counted from the first lesson to the moment you have your licence in hand. That is a wide range, because so many factors come into play: how often you take lessons per week, how quickly you pick things up and how long you have to wait for an available exam date at the CBR.
The CBR waiting time is a factor to bear in mind in 2026. Depending on the season and how busy the exam centre in Rijswijk is, the waiting time for a practical exam can run to four to eight weeks or longer. We register for the exam as early as possible so you do not wait unnecessarily once you are ready.
Faster with an intensive course
Want your licence in a short timeframe? An intensive course is the answer. At Rijschool Denhaag we offer intensive driving programmes where you follow several lessons per week in a compact schedule. Depending on your starting point you can be ready for the exam within a few weeks — provided an exam date is also available quickly.
Bear in mind that an intensive course is mentally and physically demanding. You learn a lot in a short time and it requires serious concentration. For motivated students with sufficient available time, however, it is a proven effective route. We are happy to discuss whether an intensive course suits your situation and timeline.
- Standard journey: 6–12 months (heavily dependent on frequency)
- CBR waiting time for practical exam: average 4–8 weeks in 2026
- Intensive course: exam-ready within a few weeks is possible
- Lesson frequency = the biggest influence on total time
