Kurt Bartels, the deputy chairman of the Federal Association of Driving Instruction Associations (BVF), warns that the driver‑licence reform proposed by Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) could undermine road safety.
In an interview with the “Rheinische Post” (Wednesday edition), Bartels stated that Schnieder’s plan directly conflicts with Vision Zero – the international strategy to reduce traffic deaths and accidents to zero. “When implementing measures that also aim at cost containment, road safety must not be lost from view” he emphasised.
He also argued that the reform would fail to lower licence costs. Learners would still be required to attend mandatory safety training after their instruction, and parents would need to be briefed as well. “All of that costs money” Bartels noted. Adding to the expenses, the new framework includes traffic‑psychology counseling, which, he suggested, would entail additional fees. He described this as another unfounded cost assumption.
