By Sara Orlos Fernandes and Ralf Günther
Fewer and fewer Berliners are getting their driving license – after all, it now costs up to 4,000 euros in the capital. But that is not the reason for the decline in practical exams.
“Demand has actually increased,” says driving instructor Joachim Bungs (82). His family has been running the Bungs driving school in Charlottenburg since 1928. The family business takes on 250 students every year. Most people get through theory and driving lessons well, but as soon as the practical test comes, things stall.
The waiting times here are getting longer and longer. He currently has 40 students without appointments. It could take four months to get their turn. Students often try to change driving schools in the hope of getting a test date more quickly. They also come to Joachim Bungs, but he has to put them off.
The reason for the exam backlog is personnel problems. There is a big problem with young talent at Dekra and TÜV – the bodies that carry out the practical tests. The high demands placed on experts scare many people away. In addition, the tests have been extended by around ten minutes since the test protocols were introduced. “If you extrapolate that, exams will no longer apply,” says Bungs.
The current figures from the Senate also confirm this. The number of driving licenses issued has fallen by 28 percent compared to the previous year. According to the Transport Senate, in 2022 there were 62,196, this year only 44,730 (as of September 27th). (2021: 53,579, 2020: 59,596, 2019: 63,303).
Many young people could lose interest in getting a driving license due to the long waiting times. “The motivation of beginners is dampened when the students find out that they need seven to eight months to finish,” says Susanne Kuttnik (56), owner of the Bungs driving school. With the increased prices, this could lead to a further decline in driving licenses in the coming years.
The rag can currently cost between 2,000 and 4,000 euros. On average, a young learner driver (18) needs twice the driving lesson (90 minutes) per year of life. There are also 12 special trips (overland, night and highway trips).
The rag costs between 2000 and 4000 euros. On average, a student (18) needs twice the driving lesson (90 minutes) per year of life. Photo: Ralf Guenther
Voices
Jibraan Haider has completed his sixth driving lesson and expects it to cost 2,500 euros: “I’m getting my driving license to be more mobile in a big city like Berlin.” Photo: Ralf Guenther
The young driving student Jibraan Haider has completed his sixth driving lesson at the Become Mobile driving school and is expecting costs of 2,500 euros: “On the one hand, I’m getting my driving license to be more mobile in a big city like Berlin. On the other hand, driving is a lot of fun – I noticed that during the last few driving lessons. I would like to buy a car afterwards so that I don’t have to depend on my father’s car. Car sharing is of course also a good option.”
Enrico Ludwig (30) is almost finished after 17 hours at the Mobil driving school and expects to earn around 2,600 euros. “A driving license is always an advantage, even for transporting things”
Photo: Ralf Guenther
Driving student Enrico Ludwig is almost finished after 17 driving lessons at the Mobil driving school and is expecting costs of 2,600 euros. “A driving license is always an advantage because it makes you more mobile and allows you to transport things when moving. If you want to go further away, you can of course take the bus and train, but a car is definitely an advantage, especially if you want to travel to remote places. If you have a house in the surrounding area, you definitely need a car. That’s why I’m getting my driver’s license.”