If you've been taking lessons for a while and want to ride out on your own, sooner or later you'll run into the Ruiterbewijs (the Dutch riding certificate). It shows that you can ride out safely and responsibly: in the countryside and on public roads. This guide explains what the exam involves, how you get it, what it costs, and why it's something different from a KNHS startpas (the KNHS competition pass).
What the Ruiterbewijs Is
The Ruiterbewijs is a single exam, not a series of certificates. It's administered by SRR Nederland (Stichting Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen Ruiter en menner, the foundation for rider and driver certificates). SRR describes itself as the only independent examination body for the Ruiter- and Menbewijs (riding and driving certificates) in the Netherlands, recognized by organizations including the KNHS (the Dutch equestrian federation) and FNRS (the Federatie van Nederlandse Ruitersportcentra, the trade association for Dutch riding schools), and it has been running these exams since 1977. SRR compares the Ruiterbewijs to a driver's license for motorists.
With the Ruiterbewijs, you show that you:
- can ride safely in the countryside and on public roads
- handle a horse responsibly
- know how to behave as a guest in a nature area
- know you mustn't cause others any nuisance or damage
So the training isn't only about riding. The theory also covers care, feeding, illness and lameness, and the rules on the road and in nature areas.
What the Exam Looks Like
The exam has a theory part and a practical part.
- Theory. A digital exam of 35 multiple-choice questions. You pass with at least 28 correct answers. The study material and practice exams are online at SRR. If you have difficulty reading or learning, you can request an oral theory exam.
- Practical, part 1: the riding test. In an outdoor arena you show, among other things: mounting and dismounting correctly, picking up a horse's foot, walk, trot (rising and sitting), canter (alone and in the group), trotting without stirrups, riding with one hand, the light seat, a few jumps from canter over an oxer about 60 cm high and 50 cm wide, and exercises past obstacles.
- Practical, part 2: the ride on public roads. Once you've passed the riding test, a ride through traffic follows. The examiner watches how you cross, turn, stop, and apply the traffic rules. More on riding in traffic is in Riding Safely on Public Roads With Your Horse.
The minimum age is 12. If you're just a little younger, you can ask SRR for an exemption. You can take the exam on your own horse or pony, if it meets the exam requirements, or on a riding school horse. It's also possible with gaited horses such as an Icelandic horse, as long as the horse can show a normal trot and canter.
Who It's Useful For
The Ruiterbewijs is designed for recreational riders who want to ride out independently. It concretely pays off:
- Demonstrable basic skill. Riding schools, and owners looking for someone to share their horse, often ask for it.
- Access to some nature areas. According to SRR, the Ruiterbewijs is required in a few areas, such as the woods of the municipality of Arnhem. Which other rules apply to forests, beaches, and bridle paths is covered in Where Can You Ride a Horse in the Netherlands.
- More confidence on trail rides. You practice with unfamiliar obstacles and traffic situations before you meet them on the way.
If you're not sure whether you're ready, take a look at Horse Riding for Beginners or at Level: Just Starting Out to see what the first steps look like.
How to Get It
- Find a training course. According to FNRS, any riding business affiliated with the KNHS and FNRS may offer the official training, with qualified instructors and at a facility with a Veiligheidscertificaat (safety certificate). Each riding school may organize it in its own way: over one weekend or spread over several weeks. If your own riding school doesn't offer it, SRR's exam calendar shows where and when exams take place. If you're unsure about a riding school, Signs of a Good and Safe Riding School can help.
- Prepare. Your instructor sees what you can already do and what you still need to practice, for example sitting trot or jumping. You learn the theory from SRR's study material and the book the course uses.
- Take the exam. Your instructor or the organizer requests the exam from SRR. If you already ride well, you can also take just the exam without the course, after consulting the organizer.
- Didn't pass? For the theory part, you can retake it right away. For the practical part, you generally wait four weeks.
What It Costs and How Long It's Valid
Since January 1, 2025, SRR has charged €90 for the exam, including VAT. SRR's general Ruiterbewijs page still mentions €82.50; its rates page gives €90. If in doubt, check the current price with SRR. That covers the digital study material, the examiner, insurance during the exam, and the certificate card. A practical retake costs €45, a theory retake €40. You pay the riding school separately for lessons and horse rental.
The Ruiterbewijs is valid for life. If you lose the card, you can request a duplicate from SRR.
The Difference With the KNHS Startpas
This is where most of the confusion arises. The Ruiterbewijs and the startpas sound related, but they're two separate documents with a different purpose:
| Ruiterbewijs | Startpas | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | SRR Nederland, after an exam | KNHS, the Koninklijke Nederlandse Hippische Sportfederatie (the Dutch equestrian federation) |
| Purpose | Showing you can ride out safely and responsibly | Admission to official competitions |
| How you get it | Training at a riding school or club, exam at SRR | Application after KNHS membership |
| Needed for | Riding out independently, sometimes horse rental, a few nature areas | Starting in an official KNHS competition |
A Ruiterbewijs doesn't give you access to official KNHS competitions. For that, you first need KNHS membership and then a startpas. How that application works is covered in Applying for a KNHS Startpas: Step by Step. The reverse also holds: a startpas says nothing about how safely you ride out.
Common Misconceptions
- "The Ruiterbewijs consists of levels." No, it's a single exam with a theory part and a practical part.
- "My riding school issues the Ruiterbewijs itself." The riding school provides the training. The exam and the card come from SRR.
- "I need a Ruiterbewijs to compete." Not required and not sufficient. The KNHS pathway applies for competitions.
- "It has to be renewed after a few years." No, the Ruiterbewijs stays valid for life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ruiterbewijs?
The Ruiterbewijs is a single exam at SRR Nederland, aimed at riding out safely and responsibly. It consists of a digital theory exam and a practical exam with a riding test and a ride on public roads.
From what age can you get the Ruiterbewijs?
From age 12. If you are just a little younger, you can ask SRR for an exemption.
What does the Ruiterbewijs cost?
Since January 1, 2025, SRR charges €90 for the exam, including VAT. A practical re-exam costs €45 and a theory re-exam €40. On its general page about the Ruiterbewijs SRR still mentions €82.50; if in doubt, check the current price with SRR.
How long is the Ruiterbewijs valid?
For life. If you lose the card, you can request a duplicate from SRR.
Is the Ruiterbewijs the same as a KNHS startpas?
No. The Ruiterbewijs shows that you can ride outdoors safely and does not give access to official KNHS competitions. For that you need KNHS membership and a startpas. Conversely, a startpas says nothing about how safely you ride outdoors.
What happens if you fail?
For the theory part you can retake the exam right away. For the practical part you wait four weeks in principle.
In Short
- The Ruiterbewijs is a single exam at SRR Nederland, for riding out safely and responsibly.
- The exam has a digital theory part (35 questions, 28 correct) and a practical part with a riding test and a ride on public roads.
- The minimum age is 12, the exam costs €90 (rate since 2025), and the card is valid for life.
- You take the training at a riding school or club, or join an exam run by another organizer.
- It's not a KNHS startpas and doesn't give access to official competitions.
Sources (verified October 20, 2026): SRR Nederland: the Ruiterbewijs · SRR Nederland: Ruiterbewijs costs · SRR Nederland: frequently asked questions · SRR Nederland: mission · FNRS: Ruiter- en Menbewijs (riding and driving certificate)
See also: Applying for a KNHS Startpas · KNHS Membership vs. Startpas · Signs of a Good and Safe Riding School · Level: Just Starting Out