The German federal government has moved forward with the controversial driving license reform, which was approved by the cabinet on Wednesday and introduced by Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder (CDU). According to the Ministry of Transport, the reform aims to make acquiring a driving license more affordable, modern, and safer. Minister Schnieder emphasized that the license is a key to personal freedom, particularly in rural areas, stating that the reform will simplify and lower the cost of obtaining the license while maintaining high safety standards.
Currently, the average cost for a Class B passenger car license stands at approximately €3,400. To reduce these costs, the plans focus on digitalization, reducing bureaucracy, and increasing transparency. Major procedural changes include abolishing the requirement for compulsory in-person theory classes, allowing knowledge acquisition digitally. Additionally, the theoretical exam syllabus will be reduced by one-third, and the number of required special driving sessions during practical training will no longer be fixed but will instead be customized to the individual student’s abilities.
To improve quality assessment, the system will mandate the online publication of prices and success rates for all driving schools. These measures are also intended to apply to other license classes, easing career access for professional drivers. Furthermore, a new type of basic training will be introduced, allowing students to gain practical public road experience under the supervision of relatives, such as parents, provided they pass the theoretical exam. The regulations are scheduled to take effect in early 2027.
These plans have met with considerable criticism, particularly from driving instructors. They have voiced sharp concerns about the proposed layperson training model and the mandatory publication of success rates. Industry associations also dispute the average cost figures for the license provided by the Ministry.
