German Transport Ministers Push to Lower Driver's License Costs

The Verkehrsministerkonferenz identifies theoretical exam inefficiencies as a key driver of high costs and failure rates, while debates on infrastructure funding and Deutschlandticket remain unresolved.

• The Verkehrsministerkonferenz has formally advocated for reducing the cost of obtaining a driver's license, which can reach up to €4,000, citing affordability as a barrier to mobility, particularly in rural areas.
• High failure rates in theoretical driving exams, attributed to overly complex training requirements, are a major factor contributing to increased costs for retaking exams.
• Discussions on allocating special funds for infrastructure improvements, including railway electrification and military-use upgrades, are ongoing, with no concrete resolutions yet.
• North Rhine-Westphalia's Transport Minister Oliver Krischer has emphasized the urgent need to prioritize road, bridge, and railway maintenance and expansion to address decades of infrastructure decline.
• Funding for the nationwide Deutschlandticket public transport initiative remains unresolved, with no decisions expected during the conference.

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