The federal government, led by Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU), has approved a controversial reform of the driver’s licensing process in the cabinet. The stated goal of the ministry is to make obtaining a driver’s license “more affordable, modern, and safer”. Minister Schnieder emphasized that since the license is crucial for personal freedom, especially in rural areas, the reforms aim to simplify the path to obtaining the license while maintaining the highest safety standards.
According to the ministry, the average cost for a Class B car license currently stands at around €3,400. To mitigate costs, the reforms introduce several changes focusing on digitalization and bureaucratic streamlining. Key measures include abolishing the mandatory requirement for in-person theory lessons, allowing knowledge acquisition to happen digitally. Furthermore, the theoretical driving test will feature a question set reduced by one-third, and the number of special driving sessions required during practical training will become flexible, tailored to the student’s individual needs rather than being rigidly mandated.
To improve quality and transparency, all driving schools will be required to publish their pricing and success rates online, enabling consumers to compare providers more easily. These changes are designed to apply to other professional driving license categories as well. Additionally, the regulations will introduce a form of community training, allowing students to gain practical experience on public roads under the supervision of close family members, such as parents, after successfully passing the theory examination. These new rules are scheduled to take effect in early 2027.
The proposed reforms have faced significant criticism from professional driving instructors. These groups have particularly aired concerns about the concept of community-led training and the requirement to publish success rates. Furthermore, driving instructor associations have publicly questioned the average cost projections of the license provided by the ministry.