Germany to make getting a driving licence cheaper from 2027

The German parliament is scheduled to vote on reforms aimed at making the process of obtaining a driving licence more digitised, simpler, faster, and less costly. Currently, the average cost for getting a licence in Germany, which includes lessons, tests, and administrative procedures, amounts to approximately €3,400 per year. Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) intends to digitise various aspects of the process, aiming for the reforms to take effect from July 1, 2027.

However, some parties, including the Federal Association of Driving Instructors’ Associations (BVF), express skepticism about the projected cost savings, questioning the feasibility of the estimated €1,000 reduction in licence fees. The reforms may lead to savings of up to a third of the current licence costs, according to some estimates.

The transport ministry plans to alter the organisation of driving school training, but the Bundesrat must also approve these changes, as state governments are responsible for issuing licences and regulating schools. Critics argue that remote theory lessons cannot fully replace the benefits of in-person instruction, and they oppose the introduction of "lay instruction" by unqualified individuals.