Expensive and stressful: how difficult is it to obtain a driving licence in Germany?

In Germany, obtaining a driving licence has long been a real challenge: expensive training, strict exams and constant retakes turn the dream of owning a car into a long and costly process. Find out why driving licences in Germany are considered a luxury for both locals and migrants

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Obtaining a driving licence in Germany has long been not just an exam for those who want to drive a car, but a real test for the wallet and the nervous system. German driving schools are strictly regulated by law, the training process takes months, and the total cost often exceeds €3,000. According to DW, this is increasingly becoming a real luxury that not everyone can afford.

How much does a German driving licence cost?

According to the German Automobile Club (ADAC), the price ranges from €2,500 to €3,500, and in some cases can exceed €5,000. The main expense is practical lessons, which often require much more than the minimum required. Added to this are exam fees, car rental for the test, medical certificates and other administrative fees.

By comparison, training in Poland costs €600-900, and the programme is shorter and less regulated. That is why German politicians are increasingly raising the issue of reforming the driver training system to make it more accessible.

Why is it so expensive and difficult

Driving school training includes a minimum of 14 theory lessons and 12 practical driving lessons, but in practice, candidates spend many more hours behind the wheel. The situation is complicated by modern traffic realities: electric scooters, new driver assistance systems, and more intense traffic flows.

In addition, fuel prices, car rental costs, and instructor salaries are rising in Germany. All of this has a direct impact on the final cost of the courses.

As experts note, it is the large number of practical lessons that makes the process particularly expensive. After all, each additional trip costs tens of euros, and many people retake the exams: almost half of the students ‘fail’ the theory on the first attempt, and a third fail the practical.

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How difficult is it for migrants to obtain a driving licence?

It is especially difficult for foreigners. For Varshi Hier, a student from India, obtaining a licence in Germany turned into an exhausting process: she passed the theory test on the first attempt, but had to retake the practical test five times. The total cost exceeded €5,000, which was a blow to her budget.

In addition to the language barrier, there are differences in traffic habits, and many migrants find themselves in a deliberately difficult situation. It is no coincidence that there are claims that ‘driving in Germany is still a privilege.’

Attempts to save money: is it realistic to get a licence abroad?

Germans often consider obtaining a licence in Poland or the Czech Republic, where training is cheaper. However, this is not a shortcut: according to the rules, applicants must live in another country for at least 185 days, i.e. six months. Added to this are the costs of accommodation and travel, which make the ‘savings’ questionable.

Do Ukrainian refugees need to obtain a German driving licence?

According to the German Ministry of Migration and Refugees, Ukrainians who receive temporary protection in the EU do not need to exchange their driving licences before their status expires.

"Currently, your Ukrainian driving licence is recognised in Germany and in all EU member states on the basis of the above-mentioned Regulation. You do not need to carry a certified translation or an international driving licence. This rule also applies to cases where your Ukrainian driving licence expires after 31 December 2021," the statement said.

❗️ Remember that to enter the EU in your own car, you will need international Green Card insurance. You can get this insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal in just a few minutes.

Please also note that Germany has repealed the regulation that allowed professional Ukrainian drivers to exchange their C, CE, D and DE licences for German ones without undergoing retraining and taking exams. Following the abolition of the simplified procedure, Ukrainian citizens with driving licences of categories C, CE, D or DE must undergo full recognition of their qualifications in accordance with the rules in force for third-country nationals.

Reminder! Ukrainians with temporary protection can buy and register cars in Germany. Find out what documents are required, how much registration costs and what types of insurance you need to take out.

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