Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) has advised aspiring driver learners not to wait for the costs to be paid Driver’s license sink. Schnieder told the newspapers of the Funke media group that he expects a reform of driving school training to come into force “at the beginning of 2027”. But then acquiring a driving license will not immediately become cheaper. “It’s not worth waiting,” he continued. “We give the driving schools options and freedom – the market will regulate how this specifically affects the prices.”
The minister had mid-October Key points for reform submitted to driving school training. The aim is to reduce the cost of driving licenses, which were previously had risen sharply. Schnieder considers driving license costs of around 3,500 euros “as we currently have them” to be too high.
The planned reform includes, among other things, a reduction in the number of questions on the theory test and the number of mandatory special journeys, such as night and motorway journeys. In addition, it should be possible to offer theoretical lessons completely online.
Another suggestion is test drives by learner drivers with family members. “It works in Austria,” Schnieder told the Funke newspapers. “But we are consciously approaching it with sharp fingers. Driving with family members should not yet become a rule, but should initially be used experimentally as part of an experimentation clause.”
