Following the cabinet’s decision to reform driving education, the Federal Association of Driving Instructor Associations is strongly advocating for modifications.
Vice-chief Kurt Bartels told the “Rheinische Post” that he expects Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) to acknowledge and incorporate the expertise of driving instructors and scientific advisors into the ongoing process. Bartels also dismissed the assertion that obtaining a driving license can cost as much as €4,000. He stated that they possess reliable data indicating that in 2025, approximately 70 percent of driving students would successfully pass both the theoretical and practical components promptly and on the first attempt. Under normal circumstances, the associated costs usually fall below €3,000. According to Bartels, higher costs are often correlated with students attending driving schools for longer than a year-a situation they disagree with.
Bartels further warned that the planned educational training for laypeople, intended to reduce costs, would fail to achieve its intended goals. He pointed out that individuals who already struggle, or those whose parents cannot provide a car for practice, would benefit little from it. Regarding the goal of educational deregulation, Bartels asserted that the majority of driving schools are already highly digitized; what is missing is the interface linking them with the government authorities.
It is worth noting that one of the primary objectives of Minister Schnieder’s reform package is to make the driving license significantly cheaper.
