The state transport ministers plan to press Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) for further improvements to his licence‑reform draft at the upcoming spring conference. According to the “Rheinische Post” (Saturday edition), the ministers view the recently clarified core elements as a solid foundation but note that the impacts on traffic safety, cost savings, and the interrelation of the measures must be discussed in more detail. They stress that traffic‑safety considerations must be taken into account comprehensively when the reform is implemented.
They welcome the elimination of mandatory traditional classroom lessons, but caution that knowledge gained entirely online may not guarantee the necessary behavioral competence, especially for safety‑critical content. They also insist that the reduction of the required number of special driving‑trip hours should remain at the discretion of the driving schools, and that a complete abolition of in‑person lessons or exclusive use of simulators must be excluded.
Regarding the planned involvement of close relatives in driver training, the ministry is urged to reassess the model proposed for lay‑person training in a transparent manner.
Schnieder intends to make the licence cheaper by substantially reducing the regulatory framework and the associated requirements. The amendment to driving‑school training will be a key item on the agenda for the transport‑minister conference.