Driving licence reform 2027 – what is planned
Draft – not in force
Status 5 October 2026: the act (BT-Drs. 21/7404) is with the Bundestag's transport committee after its first reading, and the ordinance (BR-Drs. 365/26) is before the Bundesrat for approval. Until it is promulgated, current law applies. Dates and content may still change.| Topic | Today (current law) | Planned (draft) | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theory lessons | 12 + 2 double lessons, in person | Draft Free format (in person, digital, app), no minimum number | 1 Jan 2027 |
| Special drives, class B | 5 rural road, 4 motorway, 3 night (45 min each) | Draft Still compulsory, number set individually | 1 Jan 2027 |
| Driving simulator | does not count | Draft partly allowed | 1 Jan 2027 |
| B197 (automatic) | 10 × 45 min in a manual car + 15-minute test drive | Draft at least 7 × 60 min (mostly on a simulator) + check drive | 1 Jan 2027 / 1 Jul 2027 |
| Theory exam | 30 questions, 2–5 points each, max. 10 error points | Draft 30 questions at 1 point each, max. 3 errors, question catalogue about ⅓ smaller | 1 Jul 2027 |
| Practical exam, class B | at least 55 min (30 min driving), fee €129.83 | Draft at least 40 min (25 min driving), fee €94.37 | 1 Jul 2027 |
| Validity of the theory exam | practical exam within 12 months | Draft no longer applies; the exam order lapses after 5 years | 1 Jul 2027 |
| Practice with family (lay instruction) | not allowed | Draft trial under conditions | 1 Jul 2027 |
| Prices & pass rates | Price list displayed at the driving school (§ 32 FahrlG) | Draft Reporting to a BMV transparency register, published via the Mobilithek among others | 1 Jul 2027 (first reports by 1 Oct 2027) |
What does this mean for you?
If you start training before 1 January 2027, you may complete it under the existing rules (according to the draft). Plan with current law today – our personal plan shows the reform only as a marked preview.Comparing prices
Until the transparency register launches, there is no official price database. We only show prices with a source and a check date.Source: BR-Drs. 365/26 (Driving School Modernisation Ordinance, draft) · as of 05/10/2026
Source: BT-Drs. 21/7404 (draft act) · as of 05/10/2026
Source: BMV press release 043/2026 · as of 05/10/2026