(de-news.net) – The transport ministers of the German länder are advocating for the federal government to reduce the cost of obtaining a driver’s license, particularly by reforming the overly complex theoretical training. At the Transport Ministers’ Conference in Nuremberg, it was emphasized that the theoretical curriculum should be evaluated for practical relevance to lower failure rates and in order to reduce costs. Currently, acquiring a driver’s license can cost young individuals up to 4,000 euros, posing a significant barrier to personal mobility, especially in rural areas.
The CDU/CSU views these plans as a signal for potential coalition negotiations with the SPD at the federal level. Florian Müller, a CDU transport expert, highlighted the impact of excessive costs on young people’s mobility. He called for modern, affordable driver training that ensures high traffic safety standards. Müller criticized the high failure rates and the lack of utilization of digital and technological tools, suggesting increased use of driving simulators and a reassessment of theoretical instruction.
The driving instructors in Germany see the proposed reforms as a positive initial step. Kurt Bartels, Vice-Chairman of the Federal Association of Driving Instructor Associations, supported simplifying the theoretical component, which currently includes nearly 1,200 questions for a standard Class B license. While this could shorten training times, Bartels noted that the theoretical exam itself, costing around 25 euros, is not the primary financial burden. He emphasized the need to rethink practical training, which is already addressed in the planned overhaul of driver education.