What the CBR car theory exam looks like: 50 questions, 30 minutes, 44 correct
The CBR theory exam for the car (category B) is a computer exam you take at a CBR location. Since 7 April 2025 the CBR uses a renewed exam. These are the facts as the CBR publishes them itself.
The numbers
- 50 questions, of which you need at least 44 correct to pass (88%).
- 30 minutes for the standard exam. The exam with extra time and the individually supervised exam both take 45 minutes.
- The exam also contains 2 test questions; they do not count towards your result. Beforehand you get 2 practice questions to get used to the controls.
- You can take the theory exam from the age of 16.
How many mistakes can you make?
The 2 test questions do not count towards your result. Want to know where you stand? Try the free practice questions: at the end you see whether you are above that 88%.
What kind of questions do you get?
The exam is one continuous block. Three kinds of questions alternate:
- Hazard perception (gevaarherkenning): you see a traffic situation from the car and choose brake, release the accelerator or do nothing. Since the exam was renewed, these are moving images instead of photos.
- Knowledge (kennis): road signs, rules, numbers (speeds, alcohol limits, distances).
- Insight (inzicht): applied situations, for example who has right of way at a junction. This part also has the drag-and-drop questions (sleepvragen), where you put road users in the right order.
What do you bring?
A valid ID whose details match the municipal personal records database (BRP), and the reservation number from your confirmation. Only your ID may go into the exam room.
How to practise smart
- Practise topic by topic until you score above 90% in each one; the exam punishes a single weak topic hard.
- Then do full simulations of 50 questions in 30 minutes, because pace is part of the difficulty.
- Learn the numbers with memory hooks; there are only a few dozen and they are guaranteed points. See our list of memory hooks.
- Watch right-of-way situations in motion, not just as drawings. Try the free right-of-way quiz.
You can practise for free right away: practice questions from all 12 topics, hazard perception and road signs.
Frequently asked questions about the theory exam
How many questions does the car theory exam have?
50 questions. You pass if you get at least 44 right. The exam also contains 2 test questions that do not count towards your result.
How many mistakes can you make in the car theory exam?
At most 6: you need at least 44 of the 50 questions right.
How long does the car theory exam take?
30 minutes. The exam with extra time and the individually supervised exam both take 45 minutes.
From what age can you take the theory exam?
From the age of 16.
What do you bring to the theory exam?
A valid ID whose details match the municipal personal records database (BRP), and the reservation number from your confirmation.
Practise this with 2,609 questions and 19 animations
Rijtheorie Hub practises exactly like the CBR exam: 50 questions, 30 minutes, pass with 44. Free to try, in 12 languages.
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