The biggest reform of German driver training in decades is under way. The Federal Cabinet approved the draft law and the ordinance in 2026, and many changes are planned for 2027. We summarise the current state here, without guarantee, and tell you what it means for you.
Cabinet decisions in 2026, Bundesrat opinion in July 2026, now in the parliamentary process. Many changes are planned for 1 July 2027. Binding only once officially published.
One stated goal of the planned reform is to make driver training cheaper and more flexible. These three levers are the main ones under discussion. The exact rules aren't fixed yet.
Instead of 14 double lessons in the classroom, theory will in future be completable entirely through certified learning apps. The theory test itself stays on-site at TÜV.
Certified driving simulators could in future replace some practice hours, especially for night drives, snow and critical situations. The exact scope is still open.
The rigid requirement of 12 special drives is set to be abolished entirely. Instead the scope follows your progress; your instructor decides when you are ready. Part of it can take place on a simulator.
The exact figures for 2027 aren't final yet. We'll update this table as soon as the regulation is published in the Federal Law Gazette.
We understand the instinct to wait for cheaper rules. But: the new rules haven't been passed by the Bundesrat yet, the exact date in 2027 is still open, and anyone who waits loses a year of driving practice.
If the reform arrives on time and you start right away, you'll save compared to today.
If everyone starts at the same time, your test date will be pushed back by months. TÜV capacity is limited.
Complex reforms have often arrived 6-12 months later than planned in the past. You can't rely on the timeline.
The Federal Cabinet approved the draft law and the ordinance modernising driver training in 2026. Both are now in the parliamentary process and not yet law. All information on this page is without guarantee; it becomes binding only once published in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt).
Cabinet decision of 20 May 2026: theory fully digital, the fixed number of special drives dropped, question catalogue about a third smaller. (German)
Cabinet decision of 10 June 2026 on the draft law and the modernisation ordinance; in the parliamentary process since. (German)
Last updated: 08/2026. We update it as soon as the final version appears in the Federal Law Gazette. For major changes we contact active students directly.