This is the best driving school in the Netherlands
Success rate drops
According to the initiator of the annual election, driving schools are ranked based on experience, success rate and student reviews. The 2024 results show that the average pass rate across the Netherlands dropped from a year earlier. In 2024 it came out at 51.4%, while in 2023 it was almost one percent higher at 52.2%. For the most recent driving school-of-the-year election, the scores of 6,055 driving schools were compared.
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Large cities score above average
Of the ten largest cities in the Netherlands, Eindhoven comes out on top. The success rate there is 61% on average. The other cities in this list score above average, except The Hague and Rotterdam where the success rate is less than 50%.
1. Eindhoven 61%
2. Utrecht 58%
3. Tilburg 58%
4. Nijmegen 57%
5. Groningen 57%
6. Amsterdam 56%
7. Almere 55%
8. Breda 51%
9. The Hague 47%
10. Rotterdam 46%
Best motorcycle driving school
Among motorcycle driving schools, Damen Motor-rijopleidingen from Oude-Tonge finished in first place. With a success rate of 97% from 111 exams taken in the General Traffic Participation (AVD) category, this motorcycle driving school outperformed all others in the Netherlands. In the motorcycle driving test, the average pass rate of all driving schools also decreased, from 75.1% in 2023 to 74.7% in 2024. However, this percentage is significantly higher than for car driving exams.
Fierce competition doesn’t help
Frank Smeets, a driving instructor for 38 years and now the owner of his driving school for 13 years, attributes his success to the personal approach and customization he offers. “I only let my students go up for the exam when I am sure they are ready. This approach results in well-prepared candidates, which should be the norm in the industry, but is often difficult due to intense competitive pressure, especially in large cities.”