When and how does confiscation occur in Leiden?
In Leiden, the confiscation of a driving licence by the police or the Public Prosecution Service (Article 130 of the Dutch Road Traffic Act 1994) may be an immediate measure in cases of suspected unfitness to drive, such as alcohol or drug use while driving through the canals or from the university district. Local officers from the Hollands Midden unit seize the physical driving licence on the spot and forward it to the Central Office for Driving Certificates (CBR) for further investigation. This often occurs during checks in the city centre, such as on Breestraat, or during events like the Leiden Marathon.
Procedure and options for residents of Leiden
- The Leiden police decide immediately on location; you will receive a letter for a CBR assessment at the nearest examination centre in the region.
- Within 14 days, you can apply for a provisional driving licence at the Public Prosecution Service in The Hague, which serves Leiden.
- If the licence is not returned, suspension or revocation follows, complicating commutes on the N206.
The duration is a maximum of 6 months for investigation, with all costs borne by you. Refusal to cooperate results in immediate suspension. Difference from CBR procedures: the police in Leiden act immediately, whereas the CBR operates administratively. Criminal prosecution via the district court in Leiden is common. Insurers active in the region report incidents, leading to higher premiums for Leiden motorists. File an objection with the Public Prosecution Service within a week, supported by medical evidence from a general practitioner in Leiden. This helps avoid long-term mobility issues in this cycling city with heavy traffic.