Trouble for cockpit: Examination stress for Aachen driving schools is growing

Trouble for cockpit: Examination stress for Aachen driving schools is growing

In the Aachen city region, the introduction of the booking software "Cockpit" by TÜV Rheinland has ensured resentment among driving instructors since the end of 2023. This new software should make the allocation of examination dates for the driver's license more efficient, but the reality looks very different for many driving schools.

The driving license applicants must suffer from stress, since the availability of examination dates is severely restricted. Many driving schools report that the new regulations promote the fast bookings, while the less rapid learner drivers are partly on the track. This means that some learner drivers are forced to choose the earliest available examination date, which often ends in an diarrhea because they do not have enough driving experience.

TÜV denies allegations

The TÜV Rheinland rejected the allegations of the driving instructors on Tuesday. A spokesman made it clear that every driving school has a fixed contingent of examination dates that should enable a timely booking. In addition, according to the TÜVS, appointments are available at short notice in the event of illness to minimize bottlenecks.

However, the situation leaves many questions open. The Road Traffic Office of the Aachen city region is not sure whether the diarrhea rates actually increase, since there are no current feedback from TÜV to these odds and the quality of the training continues to be monitored.

Sustainable problems with the software

However, the driving instructors in the region are not satisfied with the answers of the TÜVS. You have submitted suggestions for improvement for software "Cockpit" for several months, but only a fraction of these suggestions have been implemented. Sebastian von Helden, an experienced driving instructor, critically commented: "The number of improvement measures on the system is ridiculously small and far from fulfilling the expectations that we put on such an important instrument."

Another critic of the driving instructor is the suspected isolation of the TÜV. They believe that the institution cannot tackle the actual problem - the lack of test staff - and therefore try to hide behind the new software.

The argument between the driving instructors and the TÜV Rheinland clearly shows how important a smooth and fair phrase is for the learner drivers and their training path. In the region it is hotly discussed whether the "cockpit" software fulfills the expectations of the driving schools or whether it still needs changes to improve the examination conditions.

The training quality and the quota of passed exams are essential factors that are important not only for driving schools, but also for the examiners. The coming months will be decisive to find out whether the TÜV is able to solve the existing problems and to restore the satisfaction of the driving schools and their students.

Sources for this information are TÜV Rheinland, the Road Traffic Office of the Aachen city region and the driving school "Von Helden".