The German government approved a reform of driver's training on Wednesday, aiming to make driving license cheaper in Germany. The planned changes in driving license reform include fewer mandatory special driving sessions, the option to complete theory classes entirely online, and the introduction of supervised practice drives with parents or other close family members.
Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) expressed confidence that the reform would be finalized by the end of the year, with the new rules potentially taking effect in January 2027.
According to the Transport Ministry, a standard car license in Germany currently costs around €3,400 on average ,a figure Schnieder described as a real financial burden. By comparison, a license costs roughly €1,500 in Luxembourg and €2,000 in Belgium. Schnieder pointed to this gap as a key reason for overhauling the system.
The reform targets a system that has long been criticised for being excessively expensive, particularly for young people in rural areas who depend on a car for work, education, and everyday life. The high cost of getting a license has been a recurring topic in public debate, with many arguing that it places an unfair financial burden on those who need personal mobility the most.
The reform rests on four pillars: digitalization, less red tape, greater flexibility, and improved transparency. Students would be allowed to study for the theory exam entirely through digital platforms, including apps. The existing pool of 1,169 exam questions would be trimmed by nearly 30 percent to around 840.
The planned changes in the driving license reform include several concrete measures designed to streamline the process and reduce expenses for learner drivers. Among the key proposals are fewer mandatory special drives, such as motorway and night-time driving sessions, which currently account for a significant share of the total cost.
For special drives, there should be 'at least' one night drive, one motorway drive, and one overland drive, how many exactly depends on the student's level of training, said Schnieder. 'The driving instructors, the driving schools can decide that best.' On this point, the reform apparently addresses concerns from the industry: initially it was said that instead of twelve, only three special drives would be required."
Theory lessons will be allowed to take place entirely online, offering greater flexibility for working adults and students who find it difficult to attend in-person classes at fixed times. The question catalogue used in the theory exam will also be shortened, making preparation more focused and less time-consuming.
In addition, the reform introduces the possibility of private practice drives, for example with a parent, as a supplement to professional driving instruction. This measure is expected to help learner drivers gain more road experience without incurring additional costs for every hour behind the wheel.
Schnieder cautioned that prices would not drop overnight, noting that the reform creates the conditions for savings but that the market will ultimately determine costs. Still, he said he was convinced that prices would come down over time.
The ADAC, Germany's largest automobile association, welcomed the provision for supervised practice drives in particular, arguing that more behind-the-wheel experience leads to lower accident rates and better exam outcomes.
The national association of driving instructors, however, called for improvements, with its deputy chair urging the minister to give more weight to the expertise of instructors and researchers.
The TÜV, which oversees vehicle and driver testing, had earlier cautioned that the changes could compromise road safety. Schnieder pushed back on those concerns, insisting that safety standards would remain at the highest level and that no compromises on road safety would be made.
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