The Auto Club Europe (ACE) does not anticipate that the measures proposed by Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder will significantly reduce the cost of obtaining a driving licence. “A noticeable fall in costs is not expected” ACE expert Marc‑Philipp Waschke‑Deden told “Stern”. “What matters more is that costs do not continue to rise”. Accordingly, the club calls for a direct €500 subsidy for driving‑school training.
ACE also warns against delaying licence enrolment in the hope of lower prices. The association urges anyone planning to get a licence not to wait, as the chance of a sudden, substantial price drop is low.
Minister Schnieder (CDU) plans to abolish mandatory in‑person theory classes and allow digital learning. He also proposes reducing compulsory on‑road lessons-such as long‑distance, motorway and night drives-or replacing portions with simulator sessions. Future regulations would permit close relatives to support learners more during practical training. The reform package includes increased transparency: pass‑failure rates and prices will be published online, and bureaucratic record‑keeping will be simplified. It is scheduled for approval in spring 2026.
While ACE regards the initiative as sensible, it stresses the need to preserve training quality. “Targeted quality‑assurance measures are required” Waschke‑Deden said.
At the same time, Waschke‑Deden highlights significant shortcomings in the teaching profession. Unattractive working hours, lack of part‑time options, a low female participation rate and weak promotion of the profession have worsened the skills shortage and driven up long‑term prices. “The minister has so far ignored this problem and is instead relying on simulators to create additional capacity” he criticized.
