Driving licence reform 2027: theory, test and practice revamped

In brief

1. 1

   In the theory test for class B, exactly 30 questions are to be asked from 01.07.2027 and a maximum of 3 errors will be permitted.

   Planned
2. 2

   From 01.01.2027, you should be allowed to complete your theoretical learning entirely independently or digitally in a study group.

   Planned
3. 3

   From 01.07.2027, a single incorrectly answered question with a star mark is set to lead to immediate failure.

   Planned
4. 4

   According to the key points from the Federal Ministry of Transport, the official question catalogue for class B is expected to shrink to around 840 instead of 1,169 questions.

   Note
5. 5

   The practical test for class B is to last at least 40 minutes from 01.07.2027, including at least 25 minutes of driving time.

   Planned

Schedule

1. 20.05.2026

   Cabinet decision

   On 20.05.2026, the Federal Cabinet approved the reform plans.

   Status
2. 24.09.2026

   First reading in the Bundestag

   On 24.09.2026, the first reading took place in the German Bundestag.

   Status
3. 01.01.2027

   Start of independent learning

   According to the draft ordinance, individual parts are set to enter into force on 01.01.2027. Learner drivers should be allowed to study theory independently from 01.01.2027. Training started before 01.01.2027 may be completed under the old law according to the draft ordinance.

   Planned
4. 01.07.2027

   New test and transparency register

   The ordinance and the act are essentially set to enter into force on 01.07.2027. From 01.07.2027, the new test marking system, the transparency register and new test durations for class B are to apply.

   Planned
5. 26.11.2029

   EU driving licence directive

   The new EU driving licence directive is essentially to be applied from 26.11.2029.

   Adopted

Your stages to the driving licence

1. 1

   Orientation and choosing a driving school

   What is changing

   From 01.07.2027, a public transparency register is to show fees and pass rates for practical tests for every driving school. According to the draft act, training certificates will no longer need to be issued and signed in future.

   What stays the same

   Training started before 01.01.2027 may be completed under the old law according to the draft ordinance.

   How theorie.net helps you

   On theorie.net you can immediately start a practice round with 20 test questions without registering.

   PlannedRead more
2. 2

   Theory and self-study

   What is changing

   From 01.01.2027, you should be allowed to learn the theory completely independently or digitally in a study group. Additional national requirements for learning content and software are to be dropped according to the draft ordinance. According to the key points from the Federal Ministry of Transport, the official question catalogue for class B is expected to shrink from 1,169 to around 840 questions.

   What stays the same

   The official question catalogue has remained unchanged since April 2025; the next update is expected for April 2027.

   How theorie.net helps you

   The study plan from theorie.net guides you lesson by lesson through the test syllabus and repeats questions before you forget them.

   PlannedNoteRead more
3. 3

   Theory test

   What is changing

   From 01.07.2027, each question is to be worth exactly 1 point. For first-time acquisition of class B, 30 questions and a maximum of 3 errors are planned according to the draft ordinance. For an extension of class B, 20 questions and a maximum of 2 errors are planned according to the draft ordinance. Incorrect answers to star questions are to result in immediate failure from 01.07.2027. The distinction between basic material and add-on material is to be abolished from 01.07.2027 according to the draft ordinance.

   What stays the same

   The theory test can still be taken in German and in 12 foreign languages. According to our evaluation of BR-Drs. 365/26, tests from 01.07.2027 will probably follow the new marking system.

   How theorie.net helps you

   With the exam simulation from theorie.net, you practice the theory test under real exam conditions with a time limit.

   PlannedNoteCurrent ruleRead more
4. 4

   Driving practice and practical test

   What is changing

   From 01.07.2027, the practical test for class B is to last at least 40 minutes, including at least 25 minutes of driving time. The driving instructor is to establish readiness for the test prior to the examination by means of a test in road traffic. Fixed requirements for special training drives are to be reduced according to the draft ordinance. A new ordinance is to trial learner drivers gaining driving practice under the supervision of a driving practice instructor.

   What stays the same

   Drives on rural roads, motorways as well as in the dark or at dusk are to remain mandatory according to the draft ordinance.

   How theorie.net helps you

   Finn, the learning companion from theorie.net, explains test questions in 14 languages and in plain German.

   PlannedRead more
5. 5

   Probationary period and accompanied driving

   What is changing

   According to our analysis, no legal changes are planned for the regulations on the probationary period.

   What stays the same

   According to our analysis, accompanied driving from 17 remains entirely unchanged.

   How theorie.net helps you

   The study plan from theorie.net guides you lesson by lesson through the test material for safe driving.

   NoteRead more

Frequently asked questions

Sources and status

1. From 01.01.2027, theoretical knowledge acquisition is the responsibility of learner drivers; it may take place exclusively digitally, synchronously in a study group or asynchronously completely independently.

   F1·Planned·BR-Drs. 365/26, Art. 1 § 3 Abs. 1 und Art. 10 Abs. 2Page S. 47; Begründung S. 67

2. Training started before 01.01.2027 may be completed under the old law.

   F2·Planned·BR-Drs. 365/26, Art. 1 § 15 Abs. 1Page S. 11; Begründung S. 77

3. The learning content is based on the test requirements (Annex 7 FeV, Annex II of Directive 2006/126/EC); additional national content requirements cease to apply; this also applies to learning software manufacturers.

   F3·Planned·BR-Drs. 365/26, Art. 1 § 3 Abs. 3, BegründungPage Begründung S. 67 f.

4. Training certificates no longer need to be issued and signed.

   F4·Planned·BT-Drs. 21/7404, Art. 3 Nr. 25 (§ 31 Abs. 1 FahrlG)Page S. 42, S. 84 f.

5. From 01.07.2027, a new marking system applies: each question counts for 1 point; first-time acquisition class B 30 questions, maximum 3 errors; extension class B 20 questions, maximum 2 errors; moped 20 questions, maximum 2 errors.

   F5·Planned·BR-Drs. 365/26, Art. 3 Nr. 26 (Anlage 7 Nr. 1.2.2 FeV)Page S. 37 f.

6. From 01.07.2027, questions with a star mark lead to failure if answered incorrectly, for example certain priority questions.

   F6·Planned·BR-Drs. 365/26, Art. 3 Nr. 26 (Anlage 7 FeV)Page S. 37 f.; Begründung S. 98

7. From 01.07.2027, the distinction between basic material and add-on material for test questions is abolished.

   F7·Planned·BR-Drs. 365/26, Begründung zu Art. 3 Nr. 26Page Begründung S. 98

8. The ordinance essentially enters into force on 01.07.2027, with individual parts taking effect on 01.01.2027.

   F8·Planned·BR-Drs. 365/26, Art. 10Page S. 47 f.

9. The act containing the amendments to the Driving Instructors Act essentially enters into force on 01.07.2027.

   F9·Planned·BT-Drs. 21/7404, Art. 4 Abs. 1Page S. 39

10. From 01.07.2027, a public transparency register displays the fees of each driving school per class and quarterly pass and fail rates of practical tests of their learner drivers.

    F10·Planned·BT-Drs. 21/7404, § 32, § 57 Abs. 3, § 59 Abs. 4 und § 60 Abs. 3 bis 5 FahrlG (neu)Page S. 25, S. 36 f.

11. The new EU driving licence directive (EU) 2025/2205 is essentially to be applied from 26.11.2029.

    F11·Adopted·BT-Drs. 21/7404, Begründung; BR-Drs. 365/26, Art. 10 Abs. 4Page BT-Drs. S. 88; BR-Drs. S. 47

12. Procedural status: Cabinet decision on 20.05.2026, first reading in the Bundestag on 24.09.2026.

    F12·Status·Deutscher Bundestag, Dokumentations- und Informationssystem (DIP)

13. The official question catalogue has been unchanged since April 2025; the next revision is planned for April 2027.

    F13·Note·fahren-lernen.de, Stand Oktober 2026

14. The draft contains no specific transitional rule for the theory test; tests from 01.07.2027 are expected to be conducted under the new evaluation system, including retakes.

    F14·Note·Eigene Auswertung von BR-Drs. 365/26 (Art. 1 § 15, Art. 10)Page S. 11, S. 47 f.

15. The theory test can be taken in German and in 12 foreign languages; the draft indicates no change to this.

    F15·Current rule·FeV Anlage 7; TÜV | DEKRA arge tp 21; BR-Drs. 365/26

16. According to the key points from the Federal Ministry of Transport, the official question catalogue for class B is to be significantly reduced: around 840 instead of 1,169 questions.

    F16·Note·Eckpunkte des Bundesverkehrsministeriums, berichtet von ZDFheute am 11.02.2026

17. Drives on rural roads, motorways and in the dark or at dusk remain compulsory; the current fixed requirements for these special training drives are reduced, their scope depending on individual training progress.

    F17·Planned·BR-Drs. 365/26, Art. 1 § 4 Abs. 2, BegründungPage S. 4 f.; Begründung S. 54

18. From 01.07.2027, the practical test for class B lasts at least 40 minutes, including at least 25 minutes of driving time.

    F18·Planned·BR-Drs. 365/26, Art. 3 Nr. 26 Buchst. h (Anlage 7 Nr. 2.3 FeV)Page S. 38

19. Prior to the practical test, the driving instructor establishes exam readiness through a test-like assessment in road traffic.

    F19·Planned·BR-Drs. 365/26, Art. 1 § 11 Abs. 1Page S. 8 f.

20. A new ordinance is to trial candidates for class B acquiring driving practice with authorisation under the guidance of a named individual (driving practice instructor).

    F20·Planned·BR-Drs. 365/26, Art. 2 (Fahrpraxisanleitungs-Verordnung) §§ 1 und 2Page S. 20 f.

21. The drafts contain no changes regarding the probationary period; accompanied driving from 17 remains in place and serves as a model for the new driving practice under guidance.

    F21·Note·Eigene Auswertung von BR-Drs. 365/26 und BT-Drs. 21/7404; BR-Drs. 365/26, Begründung zu Art. 2Page Begründung S. 85