Learning to drive in Germany these days requires more than just patience. It also takes a lot of money. According to Germany's largest automobile club, the ADAC, obtaining a driver's license can cost anywhere between €2,500 ($2,839) and €3,500 –– in some cases, even more. For young people, still in education, it is becoming a luxury.

Although a driver's license obtained in one EU country is valid across the bloc, how you get there is still regulated nationally. Each country has its own driving school concept, which in turn determines the price.

In Germany, driving education is extensive and strictly regulated by law. Learners must complete a minimum of 14 theory sessions and 12 practical driving lessons. By contrast, Poland offers a more compact and less tightly regulated program, where a license can cost as little as €600.

Calls for reform are growing louder. Florian Müller, transport policy spokesperson for the center-right CDU party, is among those pushing for a "contemporary and modern driving education" that is both affordable and reflects current road realities. After all, "the car is still the number one mode of transport" in Germany and many people depend on having a license, Müller told DW.

Varsha Iyer knows this all too well. Originally from India, she moved to Germany in 2018 to study. Her journey to getting a........

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