The German Federal Council for Road Safety (DVR) has sharply criticized elements of a proposed plan by Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) aimed at making driver’s license acquisition more affordable. The proposals, unveiled Thursday, are drawing condemnation for potentially compromising road safety standards in the name of cost reduction.
Schnieder’s plan suggests a significant relaxation of testing requirements, including a potential 33% reduction in the number of theoretical questions within the examination syllabus, decreased mandatory practical driving hours and a reduction in the duration of the practical driving test itself. These measures, according to the ministry, are intended to alleviate the financial burden on young drivers and address the ongoing shortage of qualified instructors.
DVR President Manfred Wirsch has vehemently rejected this approach, arguing that easing testing criteria represents “the wrong way” to tackle affordability. He emphasized that novice drivers require “comprehensive and practically-focused preparation” to ensure their safe participation in road traffic. Wirsch acknowledged the need for continuous assessment and potential streamlining of the theoretical examination content, but maintained that improving driver training quality, not lowering standards, is the key to reducing costs and enhancing road safety.
“Those who receive better training are more likely to pass the examinations on the first attempt” Wirsch stated, “This not only reduces costs for learners but also elevates overall traffic safety”. Critics suggest Schnieder’s proposals risk creating a generation of inadequately prepared drivers, potentially negating any perceived short-term savings.
The timing of the plan also draws scrutiny. With ongoing debates surrounding automotive safety regulations and the increasing complexity of modern vehicles, relaxing driver licensing requirements is seen by some as a potentially dangerous and politically motivated move ahead of upcoming elections. The DVR’s opposition signals a developing conflict between the government’s stated goal of affordability and the established priorities of road safety advocacy groups.