Driving tests in Germany were largely cancelled across the country during the course of the pandemic. Learner drivers are now struggling to find an appointment for their practical test, with some centres backed up until 2022.

Driving tests in Germany not available until 2022

Many aspects of public life have been closed for much of the last 18 months, in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus, and driving centres are no exception. A lot of people learning to drive in Germany have been forced to either cancel or postpone their practical tests, despite being allowed to continue theory lessons and take their theory tests. The result is a huge backlog of learner drivers that have passed their theory tests but been unable to take their practical exams and thus get their hands on their full driving licence. 

Learner drivers now face a three to five-week waiting time for a driving test appointment, and sometimes even longer, according to the managing director of the Technical Inspection Association (TÜV), Joachim Bühler. “If testing operations continue as they are at the moment, we expect to have worked through the high demand for driving tests in the period from the fourth quarter of 2021 to the end of the first quarter of 2022, depending on the region,” he said.

TÜV frantically working to clear the backlog

Bühler has blamed the pandemic restrictions for the backlog. “After the lockdowns ended, the demand for dates for the practical examination skyrocketed. This has never happened before in this form,” said Bühler. Bühler also said that driving instructors also got ill with COVID and many had to quarantine. “There was also an increase in applicants and driving instructors cancelling appointments due to illness.”

The TÜV is asking instructors to come out of retirement to help clear the backlog and many examiners are also postponing their holidays to help out. “The driving examiners are working extra hours and postponing their holidays in consultation with the works council,” said Bühler.

Testing delays are costing learners money

People who are still hoping to take their driving exams and start riding down the autobahn are having to face tough financial burdens. “Because of the waiting times, learner drivers are taking extra lessons before the test to avoid getting out of practice,” said one driving instructor from Baden-Württemberg.

Learning to drive in Germany is already a costly affair since learners must complete a required number of theoretical and practical practice hours in a driving school with an official instructor. Learners in Germany also have to undertake other tests, like first aid courses and sight exams, and tests on road signs in Germany, before they can legally drive solo. Taking all this into account, learning to drive in Germany can cost anywhere from 1.000 to 2.000 euros, sometimes even more.