Germany plans driving license reforms to reduce costs

The German government is working on a two-part reform to modernize driving school training and reduce the average cost of a Class B driving license, which currently stands at approximately 3,400 euros. The reform consists of an amendment to the Driving Instructor Act, focusing on professional law and transparency, and a regulation for the modernization of driving school training, which covers learning formats and exam durations.

The legislative process is ongoing, with the modernization regulation requiring approval from the Bundesrat. While the cabinet has approved the necessary drafts, no immediate changes are expected in August, and students currently training must follow existing regulations.

Separately, regarding license classifications, the B1 class appears on German EU-standard driving licenses but is not issued domestically. While countries like Italy and France utilize the B1 class for light quadricycles, Germany requires a Class B license for these vehicles. However, individuals holding a valid B1 license from another EU member state may generally use it within Germany.