From 'The Examiner' on-line (
http://www.examiner.com/article/the-country-with-the-best-drivers-rated-from-experience)
Germany has the most disciplined drivers with very little patience for drivers who are not quick to move on a green light or executing a turn, etc. This examiner would rate the Germans as the best drivers of all the countries visited. Germans are the most technical and for example, know all the data displayed on a tire. Germans are required to attend driver training before given a driver’s license. Part of the training is technical data not normally understood by other country drivers. They must take first-aid training as part of the driver course.
Germans also drive more roadworthy cars due to required technical inspections. No German-registered road vehicle may be operated on public roads without a certificate from the TÜV. Technischer Uberwachungs-Veren or TUV stands for Technical Inspection Association. In most cases the certificate has to be renewed every two years. A pass in the mandatory roadworthiness and smog test is indicated by tamper-proof decals on the license plate. German drivers fear the TUV similar to Americans fearing the IRS. Germans are not permitted to change the tire size or add fog lights without approval from the TUV.
Learning to drive in Germany is a rather costly process. For the normal license you have to do a mandatory 14 theoretical lessons, 12 practical lessons (4 motorway, 3 night time, 5 country roads), and then however number of actual lessons are required for the actual driving process. Then come extra costs for the test itself and getting the license. In total the costs for learning and getting a license are €1,400 to €2,000. (US $1820 - $2600) $1.30 equals 1.00 Euro
Note that the lessons as described above really are mandatory. And you must pay an authorized instructor to teach you. Unlike in other countries, such as the UK, it is not legal to take free lessons from a friend or family member.
Here is a breakdown of the average costs:
* Registration & Theory classes: €130-199
* 12 Special lessons (mandatory): €420-495
* Theory Test: €49-66
* Practical Test: €130-160
* KVR application: €45
* TUV exam: €87.81
Those are the items that must be paid. The 12 special lessons involve the normal roads, autobahn, and night driving.
Normal driving lessons range from about €25 to €32. Most first-time learners require 10 to 20 lessons. Although this is obviously different for everyone.
So assuming no outside assistance, and let's say 15 of the normal lessons, the cost is approximately €1500 (but probably more) and about 3 to 4 months before qualified to get on the road.
A learner driver could, in theory, get some extra free practice by jumping in someone else's car in some carpark somewhere. But if the police catch you you're in deep doodoo (which, in all likelihood folks, WILL happen, as curising local car parks looking for evil is probably high on criminal activity agenda).
There are approximately 18,000 driving schools in Germany with safety equipped cars meaning that they are designed with dual steering wheels and brakes for instructor use and they are clearly marked as "Fahrschule". Here in Tallahassee the American Safety Institute, located on Hwy 90 at Chaires Cross Roads (Across from BP Station) has a Traffic School. It is owned and operated by Bart Cassidy who has over 30 years experience in traffic safety. Cassidy says, "From the beginning every educational program your teen should be given in person by a competent educated great driver, that's a reality. Anyone who tells you different and suggest that the internet works just as well, be cautious they either don't know what they are talking about or they are trying to make money. DO it right the first time." The Institute has an excellent driver training program for teens and use special equipped cars.
