Lower Driving School Requirements - Yes or No? - Germany's Driving Licence Overhaul Sparks Debate Over Costs and Safety
Germany is considering major reforms to its driving licence system to cut costs and modernise training. Proposed changes include fewer theory exam questions, optional in-person lessons, and reduced special driving sessions. The plans have sparked debate among experts, with some supporting digital solutions while others warn of risks to road safety.
The reforms will be discussed at the upcoming Traffic Courts Conference in Goslar, where industry leaders and policymakers will weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the changes.
The Federal Ministry of Transport aims to lower the high cost of obtaining a licence—currently up to €3,500 in some regions. One proposal involves reducing the number of questions in the theory exam. Kirstin Zeidler of the German Insurance Association supports this idea but insists that safety-critical questions must stay. Meanwhile, the ADAC backs more online theory lessons and the use of simulators as part of training.
Accident researcher Siegfried Brockmann suggests trimming some special driving sessions, as long as essential ones—like highway, nighttime, and rural road practice—remain compulsory. He also proposes allowing extra sessions in simulators. The German Road Safety Council agrees, arguing that simulators could help with specific skills, such as safe overtaking.
However, not everyone is on board. Kurt Bartels of the Federal Association of Driving Instructor Associations warns against replacing real-world special sessions with simulators. He argues that virtual training cannot replicate actual road conditions and comes with high costs. Many driving schools, facing steep revenue drops of 50-70% due to fewer sign-ups, fear the reforms could worsen their financial struggles. Critics also question whether digital tools will truly cut expenses or improve training quality.
A recent Forsa poll shows that most adults are open to using simulators for tasks like gear-shifting practice. Yet, organisations such as the Federal Association of Driving Instructors and the MOVING International Road Safety Association remain sceptical. They highlight concerns about high failure rates in online-only training and the lack of real-world traffic experience in digital lessons.
The proposed reforms could reshape how Germans learn to drive, with potential cost savings and more flexible training options. But the changes also raise concerns about safety and the effectiveness of digital alternatives. The final decisions will depend on balancing affordability with maintaining high standards for new drivers. The Traffic Courts Conference in Goslar will be a key moment for discussing these plans before any reforms are implemented.
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