About 7% of all driving test candidates fail to get their driving license in 4 times. They end up at the BNOR, the Bureau Further Research Driving Skills, where they can take the practical exam again by means of a special exam (also known as the state exam). You can read more about this in this article.
BNOR
Every year, thousands of candidates are faced with the so-called BNOR; Bureau Further Examination Driving Skills. The BNOR mainly deals with people who have difficulty obtaining a driving license. BNOR is a separate division of the CBR and has about 70 locations throughout the Netherlands. Many people in the Netherlands also call a practical exam at the BNOR the ‘state exam’. Candidates are only eligible for a BNOR exam if they have failed the regular exam at the CBR four times.
Fear and insight
The most common reasons why people fail to pass their driving license four times are fear of failure and (lack of) traffic insight. The first reason, fear, in particular, can make people struggle to pass the exam. The experience is therefore often that people drive well during driving lessons, while they perform poorly during the driving test. A BNOR exam is aimed at putting candidates at ease. For example, the departure location is not at a CBR building and the examiner is specially trained to deal with candidates who are afraid of failure.
What does the BNOR exam look like?
First of all, the location and duration of a BNOR exam are different from those of the regular driving test. The departure location of a BNOR exam can for example be a hotel or restaurant. The duration of a BNOR exam is around 90 minutes. Even before the actual driving test starts, the examiner will have an interview with the candidate, possibly with the instructor. This can concern the previous driving tests that have not been passed. But also about traffic situations or questions from the theory book, for example. After the interview, the examiner goes out with the candidate. A route is driven through the city, or in the vicinity of the city. A certain part such as the highway is not skipped. Special activities may also be requested by the examiner, but this does not always have to be the case. The examiner will do everything he can to make the candidate feel comfortable, if necessary he can pull the car to the side of the road to take a short time-out. The duration of the real practical part (ie participating in traffic) is in principle not much longer than the regular traffic exam. After the part on the road, there will be another conversation about the exam and of course the result of the exam will be announced.
Not Easier!
Although the ‘state exam’ is sometimes dismissed by some people, there is no difference in difficulty between the regular exam and the BNOR exam. Certain legal requirements are laid down that successful candidates must meet. The time duration and the reduced pressure can be considered ‘easier’ by candidates; the exam is therefore a lot more personal.
What do you take with you to a BNOR exam?
First of all, bring a valid identification document such as a passport or ID card to the BNOR exam. In addition, it can be useful to bring proof of passing your theory exam. Finally, take a completed self-reflection form with you to the BNOR exam. You can get these from your driving instructor in advance.
More information
The application for a BNOR exam usually takes a little longer (about four weeks) than the regular driving test. The costs are also usually slightly higher. You can find more information about the BNOR exam on the website of the CBR, www.cbr.nl. A driving school (keeper) often also has the necessary information.