Germany is witnessing a surge in driving test failure rates, leaving many aspiring drivers without licenses. According to data from the TÜV Association, the association of companies conducting these tests, failure rates for both theoretical and practical driving exams reached high levels nationwide. Last year, 45 percent of candidates did not pass the theoretical exams, while 37 percent failed the practical exams.
In Berlin and Saxony-Anhalt, every second candidate failed the theoretical exam for the car driver's license, with failure rates reaching 50 percent. These high failure rates not only delay the process of obtaining a driver's license but also impose substantial financial burdens on candidates.
The TÜV Association expressed concern over the increasing number of cheating attempts during the theoretical exams. In the past year, nearly 4,200 unauthorized attempts were registered, marking a 12 percent increase compared to the previous year. Common cheating methods include using cheat sheets or unauthorized technology, such as an earpiece.
"If driving school students obtain their exam success through deception and do not possess the corresponding knowledge of road traffic, this poses a risk to the safety of others," warned Richard Goebelt, head of the Vehicle and Mobility department at the TÜV Association. He also emphasized the psychological and financial strain on candidates due to repeated failures. "Every failed attempt increases the mental burden on those affected and leads to additional costs," he said.
Obtaining a car driving license in Germany recently cost between 2,500 and 4,400 euros. The rising expenses are partly attributed to increased failure rates and the rise in prices for driving lessons, which have outpaced general inflation.
Candidates under 18 years old seem to perform better in both theoretical and practical exams. Only 36 percent of under-18 candidates failed the theoretical exam for cars, which is nine percentage points less than the average.
The TÜV Association is calling for measures to reduce the failure and cheating rates. "This would ensure that driving school students only take an exam when they are demonstrably adequately prepared," said Goebelt. The association demands electronic learning progress checks in driving schools to reduce the failure rate.
Last year, there was a record high of over 2 million theory tests across all driving license classes in Germany, an increase of 1.7 percent from the previous year. However, the high failure rates mean that many aspiring drivers are facing disappointments and delays.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.