General work instruction individual accompanied exams with interpreter

The interpreter should allow for preparation time. Thorough preparation is important for understanding the CBR exam. This includes reading through the test matrix, the terminology list and background information - all available on the CBR website.
The exam takes place at a CBR exam centre, in the exam room or a separate individual room.
The interpreter identifies himself/herself with a valid identity document.
The interpreter stores personal belongings in a locker.
The interpreter and the candidate do not know each other and have no contact before the exam.
The interpreter takes a seat well away from the candidate, such that the candidate's monitor is not visible.
The staff member may use an explanation card. The interpreter translates only what the staff member indicates.
The staff member reads aloud (divides text and answer options into logical chunks) and the interpreter translates.
Before starting the exam questions (after information/explanation), the candidate is asked if he/she understands the interpreter well.
There is no conversation between candidate and interpreter. All questions go through the clerk.
If the candidate wants to hear the question or answers again, he can indicate this. As long as the time is running, this may be repeated.
Text on the (sub)signs is not translated.
In exam modules with a total time, the candidate determines the speed and order and has the option of marking.
The staff member points out the total time per module and monitors that all questions have been covered within the module time.
If all questions have been answered and the marked questions have also been checked and there is still time left, the candidate may look at the questions again until the examination time of the respective module is over. A question may be read or translated again upon request.

Additional information

The links below refer to the official CBR pages with more explanations for each exam:

AM, A or B: 45 minutes, ±1 hour. 🔗 More info on CBR.nl
Recreational boating: 60-105 minutes, ±1.25 hours. 🔗 More info on CBR.co.uk
Inland navigation: 45-120 minutes, ±1.10 hours. 🔗 More info on CBR.co.uk
Truck/bus (theory): 45-135 minutes, ±1.59 hours 🔗 More info truck, 🔗 More info bus

📄 Download work instruction

If you want to save or view CBR's official instructions offline, download the full document in PDF format:

📥 Download work instruction (PDF)

Please note that the CBR website and links only work within the Netherlands. Outside the Netherlands, you may need a Dutch VPN.