You've probably heard about it, 2toDrive. On November 1, 2011, already ten years ago, the then Minister of Infrastructure Melanie Schultz van Haegen gave the starting signal for 2toDrive. It started as an experiment and we are now 10 years further. With 2toDrive you can get your driver's license early, you can already start your theory exam when you are 16 years old. From the age of 16,5 you can approach a driving school to start taking car lessons. You can then from the age of 17^e pass your driving test and can then drive around with your driver's license in your pocket with a companion until you turn 18. The supervisor who must sit next to you until you are 18^e helps you with difficult traffic situations, for example, you obviously have little driving experience.

How does that actually work with such a supervisor?

You can choose a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 5 supervisors who must meet certain conditions. Your supervisor may not accompany you if he is under the influence of drugs, medication or alcohol. Of course he must have a valid driver's license. Your companion must have held a Dutch passenger car license for at least 5 years. Your supervisor must be at least 27 years old and registered in the Dutch Personal Records Database and have a residential address in the Netherlands. Your companion must not have had any criminal convictions for traffic violations 4 years before the application for the companion pass. Also, your supervisor may not have had alcohol or behavioral courses 4 years before the application for the supervisor pass. A supervisor with a WRM pass (a driving instructor) does not have to have a driving license for 5 years and also does not have to be at least 27 years old to be allowed to accompany.  

Who do you choose as a supervisor?

Choose a companion you feel safe and comfortable with. Choose someone who is sensible and calm and from whom you feel that you can learn a lot from him/her. Find someone who never gets behind the wheel with alcohol and shows reckless driving. What is also useful is that your supervisor lives close to you. It is also nice if your supervisor has your own car that you can drive together. Your supervisor must register online, after which you can request a supervisor pass. This pass contains the names of your coaches who have been successfully registered. 

2toDrive aims to increase road safety among novice drivers. Because young people are allowed to drive under supervision, they can safely gain driving experience up to the age of 18^e birthday. According to the CBR the pass rate for the first practical exam among 17-year-olds is 60,5 percent and 18 percent for those over 52. From these figures we can conclude that 2toDrive is a great success.

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