The German federal cabinet on Wednesday set in motion a comprehensive driving license reform. The goal is to make obtaining a driver’s license in Germany cheaper and more flexible. The draft law by Patrick Schnieder (CDU) provides for fewer special driving lessons, the possibility of purely online theory classes, and private practice drives with parents. The catalog of questions for the exam is also to be shortened. The draft now goes to the Bundestag and the Bundesrat; it is scheduled to come into force at the beginning of 2027.
According to the Transport Ministry, a car driver’s license in Germany currently costs an average of 3,400 euros. “Through a combination of digitalization, reduction of bureaucracy, and more transparency, costs are to be significantly reduced in the future,” Schnieder explained. The minister emphasized that safety standards would remain at the highest level. The reform is based on a draft law amending the Driving Instructor Act and other road traffic regulations.
Criticism comes from the TÜV association, which warns against lowering the requirements. There must be no “light” driver’s license test, as this would impair road safety and cause higher costs for society in the long term. The Federal Association of Driving Instructor Associations is calling for improvements. Deputy head Kurt Bartels told the “Rheinische Post”: “We expect Minister Schnieder to finally listen to the expertise of driving instructors and scientists in the further process.” Bartels also criticized the lack of interfaces with authorities, even though driving schools are already highly digitized.
Source: www.spiegel.de
