Germany tackles truck driver shortage and rolls out 2027 licence reform

In Cuxhaven, driving instructor Arnd Hoowe trains students on trucks, buses and fire engines, highlighting the logistics sector’s need for about 120,000 additional truck drivers in Germany. His work appears in an NDR documentary that stresses safety and the growing demand for large‑vehicle operators.

The German government plans a comprehensive licence reform to begin in 2027. The changes aim to lower the cost of obtaining a driver’s licence—currently €3,500‑€4,500—by allowing online theory courses, reducing compulsory in‑person lessons and redefining mandatory practice drives. The cabinet, chaired by Bundeskanzler Merz, will discuss the details in the autumn, with some provisions, such as who may supervise a learner after the theory test, still under debate.

Both initiatives target the same challenge: ensuring enough qualified drivers while making driver training more affordable and adaptable for future road users.