Overview
- The German cabinet, which approved the bill Wednesday, sent it to lawmakers with a target to bring the new rules into force in early 2027.
- Theory moves online with no in‑person mandate, the question bank drops from 1,169 to about 840 with one‑point scoring that requires safety items to be right, and a public database will list school prices and pass rates.
- Practical rules tighten around outcomes rather than hours as special drives fall to three required trips and the road test shortens to 40 minutes with 25 minutes of actual driving to cut backlogs.
- A five‑year state trial would let learners practice with a parent or other close adult after passing theory and six lessons, if the escort has held a license for seven years and the car carries a clear mark.
- Driving instructor groups and the TÜV warn the lighter theory load, fewer special drives, and shorter tests could weaken road safety and they are pressing for changes.