A new “L” sign appearing on the rear windows of vehicles signals upcoming changes to driver’s education in Germany.
The German Federal Ministry of Transport (BVM) is initiating a “learner phase” – or “Laienausbildung” – in driver’s education, allowing students to practice driving with close family members before taking their official driving exam. The white “L” on a blue background identifies these vehicles as carrying a learner driver.
Revolution in Driver’s Education: “L” for “Learner” with Family
The “L” sign informs other drivers that the vehicle is operated by someone still in training. To participate, prospective drivers must first pass their theory exam and complete six practical driving lessons. Following this, a designated accompanying person – a parent, relative, or guardian – will provide supervised practice.
During the learner phase, students must accumulate 1,000 kilometers of driving experience with their accompanying person. The accompanying person must have held a driver’s license for at least seven years and have no more than one point on their driving record. After the 1,000 kilometers, students will complete six additional professional driving lessons, including special maneuvers.
Similar learner programs already exist in Austria and France. Germany currently offers accompanied driving for 17-year-olds, but this requires the learner to have already passed their driving exam.
The learner phase will initially be implemented as a five-year trial, beginning in the first half of 2026. The BVM will then evaluate the program’s effectiveness and decide on its future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the “L” sign?
The “L” sign identifies vehicles operated by learner drivers participating in the new “Laienausbildung” program, allowing other drivers to exercise additional caution.
Who can be an accompanying person?
Accompanying persons must be close family members or guardians who have held a driver’s license for at least seven years and have no more than one point on their driving record.
How many kilometers must be driven during the learner phase?
Learner drivers must accumulate 1,000 kilometers of driving experience with an accompanying person before completing their final driving lessons.
As this new system rolls out, will drivers be more understanding of those learning to navigate the roads?