Driver’s license: Almost every second one falls through the theory test

Almost every second falls through the theory test for the car driver’s license. With a diarrhea rate of 45 percent of learner drivers, the value was at the same high level as 2023 (46 percent) last year, as the TÜV association announced.

Berlin and Saxony-Anhalt share the inglorious top position of the federal states. Every second theory test for the car was unsuccessful here. The federal capital improved from 52 to 50 percent in the diarrhea rate.

According to the TÜV association, the 1.59 million theoretical exams nationwide in classes B and B17 (driver’s license with 17) were more than ever. “We have really experienced a run on the driver’s license in recent years,” said Richard Goebelt, head of the vehicle and mobility department at the TÜV association. However, the quota of diarrhea has also increased sharply in recent years. In 2015 it was still 35 percent.

Nationwide, car leaderships make up the majority of the exams with 79 percent of the theoretical and 72 percent of the practical exams. In 2024, there was also a top value of more than 2 million theoretical exams across all driver’s license classes-a slight increase of 1.7 percent. Here 41 percent (2023: 42) rattled through the test.

“The current statistics show that multiple failures are not uncommon,” said the TÜV association. Two out of five theoretical tests for the car were attempted to repeat last year. “Every failed attempt increases the mental burden of those affected and leads to further costs,” said Goebelt from the TÜV association. After all, after the third attempt, 91 percent of applicants have the theory test, after the fourth it is 96 percent.

The fact that failure is expensive shows a look at the recently significantly increased costs for a driver’s license. There are no general prices because of the different training effort and the driving schools can set the prices for driving lessons or lessons themselves. According to the ADAC, a car driver’s license recently cost between 2500 and 4400 euros.

And: The prices recently rose much faster than general inflation. The biggest difference was in the Corona year 2021, when the driver’s license became 9.6 percent more expensive-with a general price development of 3.1 percent, as can be seen from data from the Federal Statistical Office.

Among other things, the TÜV association calls for electronic learning status controls in the driving schools to reduce the quota of the diarrhea. This can ensure that learner drivers only take an exam “if they are demonstrably prepared,” said Goebel.

The practical exam fails significantly fewer learner students. In class B, as in previous years, it was 37 percent of learner drivers. Across all classes, the rate was almost 1.8 million driving tests 41 percent (2023: 42 percent).

Under 18-year-olds perform much better in both the theoretical and the practical exam. In theory for the car, 36 percent rattled – 9 points less than on average. Almost every fourth (24 percent) failed in the practical exam. According to the TÜV association, this is a clear argument for accompanied driving from the age of 17.

In contrast, among the 18 to 24 year olds, the quota is as high as in no other age group. Here, more than every second (52 percent) falls through the theory test for the car.

A crucial factor for the existence is the motivation of the learner driver, said Goebelt. For example, this is particularly high for under 18 year olds because the driver’s license is needed for an apprenticeship. The importance of the driver’s license has decreased among the 18- to 24-year-olds.

In order not to fall through the theoretical test, more and more learner drivers are also falling back on unauthorized means. The TÜV association said that the number of attempts to deceive is increasing significantly. Almost 4,200 unauthorized tricks were registered in 2024 – twelve percent more than in the previous year.

“The learner students get their exams success and do not have the corresponding knowledge of road traffic, this carries a considerable risk of the safety of others,” said Goebelt. Aids such as cheat sheets or unauthorized technology – such as a button in the ear – are often used. In every fourth case, someone pretends to be the actual examinee to take the exam for him. These are not cavalier offenses.

According to the association, it is particularly alarming that 58 percent of the deceptive act professionally. With the exception of the criminal-relevant deputy decrees, however, fraud is not punished either as a crime or as an administrative offense.

The results are based on data from all technical test centers in Germany and were collected until January 31. There can be deviations due to possible late registrations.