These new rules aim to make driving licenses cheaper
Germany is planning a comprehensive reform of the driving license system aimed at making it easier, cheaper, and more digital to obtain a license. The initiative, presented by Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schneider, aims to reduce bureaucracy in driving schools while maintaining high safety standards. This reform comes in response to growing criticism that the cost of a category (B) driving license, which averages around 3,400 euros, is excessively high.
According to the new plan, mandatory in-person lessons for theoretical training will be canceled. Instead, driving students will be able to learn entirely online using digital tools or applications. The theoretical test will also be simplified, as the current list of questions, which includes 1169 questions, will be reduced by about a third, focusing only on the topics most relevant to road safety.
Driving schools will enjoy greater freedom in how they deliver lessons, as they will no longer be required to have dedicated classrooms or document every step of the training as they did before. The Ministry of Transport states that these changes will help schools reduce expenses, which will ultimately reflect in lower costs for students. Additionally, the continuing education programs for driving instructors will be digitized and simplified, reducing complex administrative procedures.
Simulators will play a key role in the new approach. Students will be allowed to complete larger parts of their training virtually, including learning to drive manual transmission cars. This way, driving schools will not need to maintain special manual training cars, as students can take the final driving test in an automatic car. The duration of the practical test will also be reduced to just 25 minutes, in line with European Union standards.
One of the most notable proposed reform measures is a trial provision allowing the participation of 'non-professional trainers' — such as parents or relatives — in practical driving training. This measure could give trainees the opportunity to gain additional experience outside of formal lessons and save them a significant portion of the cost. Schneider emphasizes that the ultimate goal is to keep driving licenses accessible to everyone: 'Mobility should not be a privilege. The license is the key to personal freedom, especially for young people in rural areas where public transport is limited.'