What changes in 2027 for drivers in Germany? Three topics dominate road traffic: the reform of driving school training, amended rules for e-scooters and stricter liability for accidents involving small electric vehicles. Some of this already applies, other parts are still before the Bundestag. This overview separates adopted rules from plans and names the source for each.
In short: For the changes to the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) for e-scooters, ADAC gives 1 March 2027 as the date. The driving licence reform is not adopted yet: the bill (Bundestag paper 21/7404) had its public hearing in the Transport Committee on 5 October 2026, and no entry-into-force date is fixed. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- The driving licence reform is in the legislative process: hearing on 5 October 2026, no binding date for entry into force.
- According to ADAC, changes to the Road Traffic Regulations for e-scooters take effect on 1 March 2027.
- New technical requirements such as indicators and separate brakes mostly apply from 2027 and only to newly marketed e-scooters.
- The Bundestag passed the liability act on 9 July 2026, and according to ADAC strict liability of the keeper has applied to e-scooters since 1 October 2026.
- If you already ride a registered e-scooter, you may keep using it, according to ADAC.
Which changes affect drivers in 2027?
The table sorts the items by date and procedural status. The Status column is what matters, because only adopted rules are binding.
| Topic | Date | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving licence reform (amendment of the Driving Instructors Act and other road traffic laws) | no date fixed | in the legislative process, hearing on 5 Oct 2026 | Bundestag, hib 756/2026 |
| Changes to the Road Traffic Regulations for e-scooters | 1 March 2027 | adopted according to ADAC | ADAC, e-scooter rules |
| Indicators and separate brakes on newly marketed e-scooters | mostly from 2027 | provided for according to ADAC, existing vehicles not affected | ADAC, e-scooter rules |
| Strict liability for e-scooter accidents | since 1 October 2026 | in force according to ADAC | Bundestag (passed 9 July 2026, papers 21/5871 and 21/6984); ADAC |
| Ordinance on small electric vehicles | promulgated 6 February 2026 | adopted | ADAC, Federal Law Gazette |
What does the driving licence reform plan for learners?
The federal government has introduced a bill amending the Driving Instructors Act and other road traffic laws (paper 21/7404). According to the Bundestag, the aim is to modernise driving school training and make getting a licence cheaper. The Transport Committee held a hearing with seven experts on 5 October 2026. Further parliamentary deliberation follows, and the outcome is open.
Core points of the bill:
- Mandatory attendance in theory classes would be dropped. Learners could study digitally, for example by app, and driving schools decide how to offer instruction.
- The scoring of the theory exam would be simplified and the question catalogue shortened, with a continued focus on road safety.
- The fixed number of special drives (currently twelve for cars) would be removed. Drives on country roads, motorways and at night would remain required, with the number of lessons depending on skill and the instructor’s assessment.
- A trial clause would allow supervised practice on public roads with close relatives such as parents once the theory exam has been passed.
If you plan to take your licence soon, do not rely on an undefined start date for the reform. Details on the current state are in our German guide Führerscheinreform 2027 (in German), costs are covered in Was kostet der Führerschein 2026? (in German).
Which rules apply to e-scooters from 2027?
According to ADAC, the revised ordinance on small electric vehicles was promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette on 6 February 2026. The changes to the Road Traffic Regulations take effect on 1 March 2027. New technical requirements mainly concern newly marketed vehicles: they are to have indicators, and front and rear brakes must be technically separate. E-scooters that are already registered may continue to be used.
Liability insurance is proven by an insurance sticker on the scooter. The insurance year usually ends in late February; the expiry year printed on the sticker is what counts. See E-Scooter-Versicherungskennzeichen 2026 und 2027 (in German) and the monthly overview Was ändert sich im März 2027? (in German) for details.
What does the new liability rule mean after an e-scooter accident?
The Bundestag passed the act on liability for accidents with small electric vehicles on 9 July 2026 without amendments (papers 21/5871 and 21/6984). Liability risk is assigned to the keeper, and drivers are liable with presumed fault, so e-scooters are in effect subject to the same liability rules as cars. According to the bill, the former liability exemption for e-scooters in section 8 no. 1 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) ends. Under the government bill (Bundesrat paper 179/26 of 27 March 2026), the keeper is liable for the operating risk under section 7(1) StVG, and the driver is liable with presumed fault under section 18(1) StVG. Injured parties no longer have to prove fault. ADAC gives 1 October 2026 as the date from which strict liability applies.
For premiums, the explanatory memorandum expects only moderate increases in the low single-digit euro range per vehicle and year. What you actually pay is set by your insurer. See E-Scooter-Haftung seit Oktober 2026 (in German) for the consequences for riders.
What should students with a car or e-scooter check now?
A short check before the turn of the year avoids the most common mistakes:
- Check that your e-scooter carries a valid insurance sticker and until when it is valid.
- Find out whether your scooter is already registered. If so, you do not need to retrofit the new equipment.
- If you plan to take a licence, ask your driving school how it handles possible reform points and what applies if you start later.
- Keep an eye on deadlines and costs that affect your budget, for example through our status check Was ist 2027 beschlossen und was nur geplant? (in German)
Frequently asked questions
Does the licence reform already apply to my test?
No. The bill has not been adopted by the Bundestag. Until it is promulgated, the current rules on theory, special drives and tests apply.
Do I have to retrofit my e-scooter?
According to ADAC, the new technical requirements mainly apply to newly marketed vehicles. Already registered e-scooters may continue to be used.
Will e-scooter insurance become more expensive because of the new liability?
The explanatory memorandum expects only a small increase in the low single-digit euro range per vehicle and year. This is not binding, because insurers set premiums.
Where can I find all 2027 deadlines in one place?
Our Was ändert sich 2027? Der Gesamtüberblick (in German) bundles the deadlines by topic and month and links to the detailed articles.
What to do now
- Decide whether you are a car driver, e-scooter rider or future learner, and read only the matching section.
- Check sticker, registration and proof of insurance of your e-scooter before 1 March 2027.
- Plan your licence under current law and follow the legislative status instead of waiting for a date.
- Note deadlines and costs that affect your budget and compare them with the overview.
Related guides
- Was ändert sich 2027? Der Gesamtüberblick mit allen Stichtagen (in German)
- Führerscheinreform 2027 (in German)
- E-Scooter-Regeln ab März 2027 (in German)
- E-Scooter-Haftung seit Oktober 2026 (in German)
- Was ist 2027 beschlossen und was nur geplant? (in German)
Sources: German Bundestag, hib 756/2026 on the hearing on the driving licence reform (as of 1 November 2026); ADAC, E-Scooter rules (retrieved November 2026); Bundesrat paper 179/26, bill on liability for accidents with small electric vehicles (27 March 2026); German Bundestag, vote on the liability act for small electric vehicles of 9 July 2026 (retrieved 2 November 2026).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
