The driving license is a sought-after document. Nevertheless, more driving students are failing the theory test today than ever before. The driving students themselves are to blame for this, say driving instructors from the district.
District - Finally no longer having to rely on rides from parents, siblings or friends: especially in rural areas, a driver's license means freedom for many young people. But the path there is becoming increasingly rocky for some.
New high: More and more driving students are failing to pass the theory test
According to the TÜV Association, there were almost two million theoretical tests for the classic car driving license in 2023. 42 percent of learner drivers across Germany failed the test - more than ever before. The picture is no better in Bavaria either: over 38 percent of the examinees failed the theory part.
The driving students themselves are often to blame, say driving instructors from the Ebersberg district. “If you fail, there are no longer any consequences,” says Uwe Eggerl, owner of the driving school of the same name in Grafing, as one reason. While learner drivers used to be banned for at least three months after three failed attempts, today they can repeat as many times as they need. “As a result, they simply lack the pressure,” says Eggerl.
Learner drivers must master over 1000 test questions
But some young people also lack motivation. “We notice that many people are simply too lazy to learn,” reports an employee at the Klessinger Driving School in Glonn. And yet, sometimes driving students register for the test completely unprepared. Your motto: Courage to gap.
Many people just try it out and try it out
Vincenzo Lucà, press spokesman for TÜV
This is nothing new for the local testing authority in Ebersberg, the TÜV. Because, unlike the practical exam, there are no compulsory hours before the test. Applicants decide for themselves whether they are confident enough to take the exam. The driving students have to pay just under 25 euros for the theory test at the TÜV. “The price is manageable. That’s why many people just try it out if they’re lucky,” explains TÜV spokesman Vincenzo Lucà. With more or less success: After all, the examinees have to master over 1000 questions, of which only 30 randomly selected ones are asked by the TÜV.
“Abstract questions” about environmental protection and electric cars make theory testing difficult
“This is not conducive to understanding road traffic,” emphasizes “de Fahrschui” owner Werner Schmidt. The driving instructor runs six driving schools in the Ebersberg district and knows that even learning by heart doesn't help. “The learner drivers also have to understand the traffic situations.”
(Our Ebersberg newsletter regularly informs you about all important stories from your region. Sign up here.)
The constantly updated and expanded list of questions doesn't necessarily make things any easier for the examinees. Today, driving students also have to be able to answer questions about e-cars, e-bikes, e-scooters and environmental protection. “There are some very abstract questions that sometimes make me wonder what the question is supposed to be,” says Schmidt.
Driving instructor relies on new concept to improve failure rate
According to Schmidt, in order to be well prepared for the theory test, driving students should study for around 30 hours. To ensure that his driving students actually do this, the driving instructor has introduced a new concept. In order to be able to register for the theory test, his driving students have to answer 98 percent of the questions in the test app correctly and also pass three preliminary tests. “We have now tightened this up because of the high failure rates,” reports the driving instructor.
But if you continuously learn and pay attention in theory lessons, according to Schmidt, you should be able to pass the theory test easily. “The more interested you are, the easier the exam is in the end,” he says.