Germany Overhauls Driving Licence Training to Cut €3,400 Average Cost

What Germany's Driving Licence Reform Actually Changes

Germany's driving licence is notoriously expensive, with the average cost reaching around €3,400. On 5 November 2026, the Bundestag took a significant step towards changing that by passing the first part of a reform designed to make training cheaper, more digital and less bureaucratic. The legislation amends the Driving Instructor Act and other road traffic laws, while a separate regulation modernising driving school training was already approved by the cabinet on 10 June. Both parts still need approval from the Bundesrat, the upper house representing the federal states.

The most visible change for learners is the end of mandatory attendance for theory lessons. Instead of sitting in a classroom, learners will be able to acquire the required knowledge entirely online, for example through an app. Driving schools themselves will decide whether and how to offer theory lessons, which could reduce their costs — for instance, by no longer needing to maintain training rooms. The theory exam will also be simplified: the complex scoring system will be streamlined and the question catalogue reduced, though road safety questions will remain a priority.

Practical training will become more flexible too. The current legal requirement of 12 special drives for a car licence will be scrapped, leaving the number to the instructor's judgement, in line with EU rules. Only the types of drives — overland, motorway and in darkness — will remain mandatory. A new training option will allow learners who have passed the theory exam to practise with a close person, such as a parent, after a compulsory observation drive with a driving instructor. This model will be piloted first, and federal states can decide individually whether to adopt it. Simulator exercises may also become part of training.

Finally, transparency will increase. Prices and pass rates of all driving schools will be published online in the Mobilithek, the central mobility data database. This gives parents and learners a way to compare quality and cost, and the government hopes the resulting competition will push overall prices down.

Why Driving Schools and Learners Both Stand to Gain

What the Reform Means for Driving Schools

Driving schools are set to benefit from a significant reduction in bureaucracy. The reform removes extensive documentation and record-keeping obligations and relaxes rigid organisational requirements, giving schools more room to shape their own operations. Schools that choose to drop physical theory lessons can save on classroom costs. At the same time, the publication of prices and pass rates in the Mobilithek introduces a new competitive dynamic. Schools with strong results and competitive pricing can use the platform as a marketing tool, while those with poor pass rates or high prices may struggle to attract students. The reform effectively shifts the basis of competition from convenience and location towards measurable performance and cost.

The New Supervised Practice Model

Allowing learners to practise with a close person after passing the theory exam is a notable shift. It resembles supervised driving schemes in other countries and could reduce the number of paid driving lessons needed. However, the requirement for a mandatory observation drive with an instructor and the need for the learner to have passed the theory first mean the model adds a structured step rather than replacing professional instruction. The pilot approach and the option for federal states to opt out mean the impact will be uneven across Germany. If successful, it could lower costs for families but also reduce lesson volume for driving schools in participating states.

Digital Theory and the Exam Overhaul

Removing the attendance requirement for theory lessons is a clear digitalisation move. It lowers barriers for learners in rural areas or with tight schedules and cuts costs for schools. The simplification of the theory exam — fewer questions and a simpler scoring system — is intended to reduce preparation time and failure rates. The government insists that road safety remains a focus, but the reduction in question volume may raise questions about whether the exam becomes easier. The reform aligns with EU law on special drives, which reduces the risk of legal challenges.

Price Transparency and Competition

Publishing prices and pass rates online is a market intervention designed to empower consumers. In theory, better information leads to more informed choices and price competition. In practice, the effect depends on how many schools are listed, how often data is updated and whether learners actually use the platform. The Mobilithek is already a central mobility data hub, so integrating driving school data there is a logical step. If the data is reliable and accessible, it could become the default comparison tool for families. The reform does not cap prices, so savings will depend on competitive pressure rather than direct regulation.

What Happens Next

The Bundesrat must approve both the law and the regulation. If approved, the changes could take effect in stages. The pilot for supervised practice and the digital theory option may roll out over the next 6–24 months, while the Mobilithek data publication requires technical implementation. Driving schools should prepare for a more transparent market by tracking their pass rates and pricing strategies. Learners and parents should watch for the platform launch to compare options. The reform's success in cutting the €3,400 average cost will depend on how many schools pass savings on and how effectively competition works.

What the Reform Means for Learners and Driving Schools

The reform's core promise is lower costs through digitalisation and transparency, but the actual savings will depend on how driving schools respond to new competition.

For learners and parents, the key change is the ability to compare driving schools on price and pass rates via the Mobilithek once it goes live. Before choosing a school, check whether it offers digital theory options and how its pass rate compares. If you are in a federal state that adopts the supervised practice pilot, you may be able to reduce paid lessons by practising with a parent or close person after passing the theory exam — but remember the mandatory observation drive with an instructor first.

For driving schools, the removal of documentation requirements and the option to drop physical theory lessons can cut operating costs. However, the publication of prices and pass rates means your performance will be visible to all potential customers. Schools with strong pass rates should ensure their data is accurate and use it in marketing. Schools with weaker results may need to invest in teaching quality or adjust pricing to stay competitive. The end of the fixed 12 special drives gives instructors more flexibility, but also more responsibility to ensure learners are properly prepared for motorway, overland and night driving.

Watch for the Bundesrat decision in the coming months. Once approved, the digital theory option and the simplified exam could take effect relatively quickly, while the Mobilithek platform and the supervised practice pilot may take longer to roll out. The average licence cost will be the ultimate measure of success.