10 free practice questions on vehicle knowledge for the Dutch CBR car theory exam. Dashboard warning lights, tyres, the APK (MOT), insurance and your documents. After every answer you see the explanation and the source. The app has 143 questions on this topic.
What you need to know
A new licence is valid 10 years; via 2toDrive you drive B from 17, accompanied until 18.
Since 2014 the kentekencard replaces paper; while a vehicle is yours, you are responsible.
Every vehicle with a Dutch plate must carry at least WA liability cover.
The APK is the mandatory technical test; the schedule depends on fuel and age.
Minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm; below that it's rejected and fined.
Imports need RDW inspection and registration first; trailer weight sets your licence.
1. This red seatbelt light comes on as soon as the car starts moving. What does it mean?
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Dit rode gordel-lampje gaat branden zodra de auto in beweging komt. Wat betekent dit?
Explanation: The seatbelt light (often together with a chime) warns that the driver or a passenger is not wearing the seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt is a legal requirement. Source: RVV 1990 art. 59.NL: De bestuurder of een passagier heeft de autogordel niet vastgemaakt.Source: RVV 1990 art. 59 — gordelplicht
2. Both the driver and all passengers, front and rear, are legally required to wear the seatbelt if one is fitted. Is this correct?
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Zowel de bestuurder als alle passagiers, voorin en achterin, zijn wettelijk verplicht de autogordel te dragen als deze aanwezig is. Klopt dit?
Explanation: The seatbelt requirement applies to the driver and all occupants in seats fitted with a seatbelt, both front and rear. Source: RVV 1990 art. 59.NL: Ja, klopt.Source: RVV 1990 art. 59 — gordelplicht
3. The red oil pressure light comes on while driving. What should you do?
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Het rode oliedruklampje gaat tijdens het rijden branden. Wat moet je doen?
Explanation: Low oil pressure means acute risk of engine damage. Stop as soon as it is safe and switch off the engine rather than continuing to drive. Source: WVW 1994 art. 71.NL: Stop zo snel mogelijk veilig en zet de motor uit.Source: WVW 1994 art. 71 — eisen aan voertuigen (deugdelijkheid)
4. The red oil pressure light on the dashboard is one of the most urgent warning lights: when it comes on you must act immediately. Is this correct?
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Het rode oliedruklampje op het dashboard is een van de dringendste waarschuwingslampjes: bij het branden ervan moet je direct actie ondernemen. Klopt dit?
Explanation: Red dashboard lights indicate an acute problem threatening safety or the engine. The oil pressure light means the engine is not getting enough lubrication: you must stop safely and switch off the engine immediately. Source: WVW 1994 art. 71.NL: Ja, klopt.Source: WVW 1994 art. 71 — eisen aan voertuigen (deugdelijkheid)
5. If the battery light comes on, the engine can stall while driving because systems such as ignition and fuel pump run out of sufficient power. Is this correct?
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Als het accu-lampje gaat branden, kan de motor tijdens het rijden uitvallen doordat systemen zoals ontsteking en brandstofpomp zonder voldoende stroom komen te zitten. Klopt dit?
Explanation: Once the battery is fully depleted, essential electrical systems lose power and the engine can stall and fail to restart. Visiting a garage early prevents this. Source: WVW 1994 art. 71.NL: Ja, klopt.Source: WVW 1994 art. 71 — eisen aan voertuigen (deugdelijkheid)
6. This amber light (engine malfunction indicator lamp / MIL) comes on while driving. What does it mean?
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Dit amberkleurige lampje (motorstoringslampje / MIL) gaat tijdens het rijden branden. Wat betekent dit?
Explanation: The amber malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) points to a fault in the engine management or emissions system, for example a sensor or the catalytic converter. Source: WVW 1994 art. 71.NL: Er is een storing in het motormanagement- of emissiesysteem gedetecteerd.Source: WVW 1994 art. 71 — eisen aan voertuigen (deugdelijkheid)
7. This red battery light comes on while driving. What does it mean?
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Dit rode accu-lampje gaat tijdens het rijden branden. Wat betekent dit?
Explanation: The battery light means the alternator is no longer (sufficiently) charging the battery. The car then runs temporarily on remaining battery power; electrical systems will gradually fail. Source: WVW 1994 art. 71.NL: Het laadsysteem (dynamo/alternator) laadt de accu niet meer voldoende op.Source: WVW 1994 art. 71 — eisen aan voertuigen (deugdelijkheid)
8. The battery light stays on while driving. What is the sensible thing to do?
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Het accu-lampje blijft branden tijdens het rijden. Wat is verstandig?
Explanation: With a charging fault the battery drains as the engine runs on battery power alone. By switching off consumers and quickly visiting a garage you avoid being stranded with a flat battery and no power. Source: WVW 1994 art. 71.NL: Onnodige stroomverbruikers uitzetten en zo snel mogelijk naar een garage rijden voordat de accu leeg raakt.Source: WVW 1994 art. 71 — eisen aan voertuigen (deugdelijkheid)
9. The amber engine malfunction light is on continuously while driving. What is the right approach?
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Het amberkleurige motorstoringslampje brandt continu tijdens het rijden. Wat is de juiste aanpak?
Explanation: A continuously lit (not flashing) engine malfunction light usually means you can continue driving carefully, but the car must be checked as soon as possible to prevent further damage and APK failure. Source: WVW 1994 art. 71.NL: Je mag voorzichtig doorrijden, maar laat de auto zo snel mogelijk controleren.Source: WVW 1994 art. 71 — eisen aan voertuigen (deugdelijkheid)
10. If the engine malfunction light (MIL) is on during the APK inspection, this can lead to the car failing. Is this correct?
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Als het motorstoringslampje (MIL) tijdens de APK-keuring brandt, kan dit leiden tot afkeuring van de auto. Klopt dit?
Explanation: A lit engine malfunction light indicates a fault that can affect exhaust emissions or safety and counts as a rejection point at the APK inspection. Source: WVW 1994 art. 72.NL: Ja, klopt.Source: WVW 1994 art. 72 — periodieke keuring (APK)
Memory hooks for this topic
🛞📏1️⃣6️⃣The minimum tyre tread depth for a car is 1.6 mm.
Push a matchstick into the groove: if only the MATCH HEAD still fits (1.6 mm), you're at the legal limit! Chant 'one-point-six, no grip, big fix'.
🚗🔧4️⃣📅A new petrol car needs its first APK (roadworthiness test) at 4 years old.
Four wheels, four years! Each tyre 'ticks off' one year; once all 4 wheels have had their year, the car goes to the APK doctor for the first time.
1️⃣6️⃣🛞➕4️⃣🔧Lock in two numbers together: tyres 1.6 mm (minimum) AND first APK at 4 years.
Picture this: a car with 4 birthday candles on the hood (4 years → APK) rolls on tyres thin as a matchhead (1.6 mm). '1.6 and 4' — test time!
🪪📄🚗Always carry while driving: your driving licence, the vehicle registration (kentekencard) and a valid ID.
Three cards or no road: YOU (licence), your CAR (registration) and your NAME (ID). Keep the trio in your pocket, or the officer waves a fine.
