Overview
- The transport ministry says it will present detailed measures to the Verkehrsministerkonferenz at the end of March, with legal changes possible in the first half of 2026 and entry into force expected around early 2027.
- A ministry spokesperson advises prospective drivers not to wait for lower prices, noting any effects on costs would be longer term rather than immediate.
- Key proposals include fully online theory for class B, a reduced question catalog of about 840 items, fewer mandatory special drives cut from 12 to 3, broader simulator use, shorter practical driving and exam times, and a five‑year trial of accompanied ‘laien’ training after theory and at least six lessons.
- Driving instructors and associations warn of higher safety risks and cost shifts to families and insurers, cite potential harm to small schools, and report correction lessons may be needed to unlearn poor habits from unsupervised practice.
- Sector data show a sharp drop in new enrollments since November 2025, while the ADAC backs the proposals as expanding choice and potentially improving safety through additional supervised real‑world practice.