Novice drivers
Transport minister for longer driving license probation periods
The transport ministers of the federal states came together in a video link for their regular conference. Photo: Sina Schuldt / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
What can be done to make Germany’s roads safer and to minimize the risk of accidents? The transport ministers of the federal states met by video to debate this issue.
The transport ministers of the federal states are in principle in favor of reducing the minimum age for accompanied driving from 17 to 16 years and also tightening existing driving license requirements for novice drivers.
“In view of the increased risk of accidents among young people, we believe that extending the probationary period from two to three years is the right way to ensure more safety,” said Schleswig-Holstein’s head of department Bernd Buchholz (FDP) after the Conference of Transport Ministers (VMK) on Friday in Bremen. He commented on the driver’s license probationary period for novice drivers.
However, the department heads still saw many unanswered questions that should now be clarified by the spring of next year. That is why no official resolution with guidelines was passed on Friday. Buchholz referred to the possibility of so-called feedback trips. Anyone who voluntarily undertakes two test drives of 90 minutes around four months after passing the driving test can shorten the trial period to the previous period of two years. That is an incentive and a plus in security at the same time.
The VMK, currently chaired by Bremen, asked the Federal Ministry of Transport to tackle a comprehensive reform and to invite it to a federal-state working group.