Getting a driving license (Führerschein) in Germany should become cheaper and faster. On November 5, 2026, the Bundestag passed the first part of a reform of driver training. Most changes are planned to apply from July 1, 2027.
A class B car license currently costs about €3,400 on average, according to the Federal Ministry of Transport. The ministry says learner drivers could save several hundred euros, and up to €1,000 in the best case.
- Theory lessons: no more mandatory classroom lessons. You can learn by app, online or in person.
- Special drives: no fixed number of 12 country road, autobahn and night drives. Your driving instructor decides how many you need.
- Practice with family: after the theory test and at least 6 lessons, you could practice with a close person, such as a parent.
- Shorter test: the practical class B test is planned to drop from 55 to 40 minutes in total.
- Price transparency: prices and pass rates of driving schools are to be published online.
NOTE: Nothing has changed yet. The Bundesrat still has to approve the law and a separate ordinance from the transport ministry. Many details, such as the test changes, are in that ordinance and can still change.
What Changes in Theory Lessons and the Theory Test?
Driving schools would no longer have to teach theory in a classroom. You could choose digital lessons via an app, hybrid lessons or classic in-person lessons. Rules on classroom size and the order of lessons would be dropped.
The question catalog for the theory test is to be cut. Each question would count as one point instead of two to five error points. According to the ministry, you still may not get safety-relevant questions wrong.
What Changes in Practical Training?
Today, every class B learner needs 12 special drives of 45 minutes: 5 on country roads, 4 on the autobahn and 3 in the dark. The fixed number would go. The drives remain mandatory, but your driving school decides how many you need based on your skills.
The practical test for class B is planned to get shorter: 25 minutes of driving instead of 30, and 40 minutes in total instead of 55.
Can You Practice With Your Parents or Partner?
Yes, as a trial. The law allows “driving practice under guidance” (Fahrpraxis unter Anleitung) for class B with a close person. You need:
- A passed theory test
- At least 6 practical lessons at a driving school
- A joint briefing at the driving school, together with your companion
- An approval from the authority. It is valid across Germany.
The ordinance is to set the rules for companions. A key-points paper from February named at least seven years of holding a license and no more than one point in the Flensburg register. The trial is planned for five years, and federal states can opt out.
WARNING: The learner must be covered as a driver by the car’s liability insurance. Check the policy before you practice and ask the insurer whether the learner driver must be added.
What Does This Mean for Expats?
If you move to Germany with a license from outside the EU, it is generally valid for six months after you register your residence. Depending on the country that issued it, you may have to pass the German theory test, the practical test, or both to exchange it. Read our guide to exchanging a foreign driving license in Germany. Shorter, digital training could make this cheaper. See also our moving to Germany checklist and common mistakes expats make.
If you buy a car after getting your license, new drivers usually pay more for car insurance. Compare prices on Check24* or Verivox*, and read our guides on the best car insurance in Germany and buying a car in Germany.
Fines, accidents and license disputes can get expensive. A traffic legal insurance covers lawyer and court costs in traffic cases.
What Should You Do Now?
- If you are about to start driving school, ask whether waiting until July 2027 makes sense for you. The savings are not guaranteed, because driving schools set their own prices.
- Compare driving schools by their total price: basic fee, lessons, special drives and test fees.
- If you need to exchange a foreign license, check the deadline with your local driver’s license office (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) early. See our guide to exchanging a foreign driving license in Germany.
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