faq
Car driving licenses in Germany are now quite expensive. Why is that? How can you save? And why is the Bundestag dealing with this today? Answers to important questions.
A car driving license is becoming more and more expensive. According to a survey by the ADAC, some learner drivers now have to pay up to 4,400 euros for a driving license. At the same time, according to a TÜV report, driving licenses remain popular.
The CDU/CSU parliamentary group is therefore submitting a proposal to the Bundestag today. The driving license is the basis for social participation and economic prosperity and should not become a luxury good.
Why has driving licenses become so expensive?
According to Kurt Bartels, deputy managing director of the Federal Association of Driving Instructors Associations, there are three main reasons for the current prices: general price increases, traffic developments and the development of the car. Higher fuel prices and increased car maintenance costs are not the only price drivers.
“Driving has become more complex,” says Bartels. The number of means of transport is increasing, including e-scooters. There are also new traffic routes such as protected cycle lanes. In addition, learner drivers would also have to be trained in technical assistance systems and prove this in the test.
Since 2021, a driving school test has taken 55 instead of 45 minutes. Bartels says it simply takes more time to train new drivers. Instead of 25 driving hours, 45 to 50 driving hours are now not uncommon. A normal 45-minute session costs 55 to 75 euros. Driving licenses are usually cheaper in the country than in the city. Also because driving a car can be learned more quickly there because of the less complex infrastructure, says Bartels.
How can Learner drivers and learner drivers save money?
Bartels and the ADAC recommend completing theory and practical lessons as compactly as possible. If there are longer breaks between units, there is a risk of forgetting what you have learned, according to the ADAC. It also doesn’t hurt to spend a few hours with your parents at the traffic practice area and compare the driving schools’ prices carefully.
Ultimately, the following also applies: only register for the exam when you are sure – and avoid the costs of a repeat exam.
How does the Union want to keep driving licenses affordable?
Ideas for cheaper driving licenses also came from the ranks of the opposition a few days ago. According to the CDU’s transport policy spokesman, Florian Müller, driving licenses could become cheaper through digitalization, among other things. According to the CDU/CSU parliamentary group’s proposal, costs would have to be contained, processes would have to be made smoother and more test appointments would have to be created.
The Union parliamentary group suggests using driving simulators more in training in order to reduce the number of practical driving lessons. In addition, some of the theory lessons should take place digitally.
If necessary, the Bundeswehr or police should also conduct driving tests. This is intended to prevent long waiting times for a test date, during which the learner drivers would have to continue taking driving lessons in order not to forget what they have learned.
What do others say about it? Union proposal?
Green Party member Swantje Michaelsen, who is responsible for driving licenses and road safety in her parliamentary group, fears that more training on driving simulators could be at the expense of road safety.
The Federal Association of Driving Instructors Associations also thinks little of the proposal. Simulators could only enable first steps so that learner drivers are better prepared in the first driving lesson.
The deputy transport policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, Mathias Stein, sees the problem differently. It was not the cost of training, but rather the high failure rates and the associated expensive re-tests that often made acquiring a driving license expensive. There are currently scientific studies on how driving school training can be modernized. The results should be awaited first, says Stein.
What’s next?
The Union faction’s proposal is to be discussed in the Bundestag today. Here the individual political groups have the opportunity to discuss the proposal and express concerns. The Bundestag then votes to further address the issue.
(With information from the dpa news agency)