Hamburg CDU Calls for More Driving Examiners Amidst Expiring Theory Tests

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Hamburg’s city parliament is demanding an increase in the number of driving examiners to address the growing issue of theoretical driving test results expiring before candidates can take their practical exams. This situation is forcing many aspiring drivers to retake the theoretical test, incurring significant additional costs.

Philipp Heißner, the CDU’s transportation policy spokesperson, highlighted the increasing popularity of Class B driver’s licenses (standard car licenses) in Hamburg. He stated that a concerning number of students are failing to complete their practical exams within the allotted timeframe, often solely due to a shortage of available examiners.

In Germany, a theoretical driving test result is valid for only one year. If the practical exam is not successfully completed within this period, the candidate must retake and pass the theoretical exam again before being allowed to attempt the practical test. This situation can be incredibly frustrating and financially burdensome for driving students.

According to a response from the Hamburg Senate to a written inquiry from the CDU, a staggering 666 prospective drivers saw their theoretical test results expire in 2024 because they could not secure a practical exam appointment within the one-year validity period. This figure underscores the severity of the problem and the urgent need for intervention.

The Senate’s response did not provide specific reasons for the delays in scheduling practical exams, nor did it offer data on the average waiting time for an appointment. The Senate explained that driving schools typically handle the scheduling of practical exams for their students, and these appointments are allocated to the schools as part of an overall quota system. This arrangement makes it difficult for the Senate to directly track individual waiting times.

Data provided by the Senate indicates a significant increase in the number of people obtaining Class B driver’s licenses in Hamburg. In the past year, 16,888 individuals successfully passed their driving exams, representing an increase of 2,447 (or approximately 17%) compared to 2020. While the number of driving examiners has also increased during this period, rising from 33 to 41 (a growth of approximately 24%), the CDU argues that this increase is insufficient to meet the growing demand.

The CDU’s concerns are further amplified by the high absentee rate among existing driving examiners. The Senate reports an average of 21 days of absence per examiner per year, further exacerbating the backlog of students waiting to take their practical exams.

The CDU-led motion, scheduled for debate in the Hamburg Parliament on Wednesday, argues that the current situation is unacceptable. The party believes that the red-green Senate is unfairly burdening driving students with unnecessary costs. Heißner argued that the already expensive process of obtaining a driver’s license is being made even more costly due to the lack of sufficient examiners.

As a solution, the CDU is calling for a substantial increase in the number of driving examiners, demanding a minimum of 60 examiners to adequately address the backlog and ensure timely exam scheduling. Furthermore, the CDU is advocating for a compensation program to reimburse driving students for expenses incurred as a direct result of the examiner shortage. This would include the cost of retaking the theoretical exam and any additional driving lessons required due to the delay.

The CDU’s initiative highlights a growing concern about the efficiency and accessibility of the driver’s licensing process in Hamburg. The current shortage of examiners is not only causing financial hardship for aspiring drivers but also potentially delaying their entry into the workforce and hindering their overall mobility. The upcoming debate in the Hamburg Parliament will be crucial in determining whether the Senate will take decisive action to address this pressing issue and ensure that all qualified driving students have a fair opportunity to obtain their licenses without undue delay or expense. The increased demand for driving licenses, coupled with the existing examiner absenteeism, creates a perfect storm of challenges that require immediate and effective solutions. The CDU hopes their proposed measures will alleviate the pressure on students and streamline the entire process.