Driving license at 17: Young people in Esslingen wait for months!

Driving license at 17: Young people in Esslingen wait for months!

In the everyday hustle and bustle of the Esslingen district, one topic is currently being particularly hotly debated: accompanied driving for those aged 17 and over. Many young people are magically drawn to taking the wheel into their own hands - but the experience is made unnecessarily difficult by bureaucratic hurdles. NTZ reports that the driving license office in the Esslingen district office needs around three months to process applications. One reason for this delay is the high number of applications, which even exceed the exchange requests of older drivers.

If you want to take this step yourself, you have to overcome many hurdles. In the Esslingen district, where accompanied driving is particularly in demand, it often happens that young drivers are not able to make full use of their skills because they are often only allowed to take their test some time after their 17th birthday.

The path to getting a driver's license

In order to take part in accompanied driving, a number of requirements must be met. Young people can start preparing as early as 16 1/2 years old. In order to obtain the driving license, you must name an accompanying person who is at least 30 years old and has held the relevant driving license for five years. This accompanying person should also not have more than one point in the driving fitness register. The website of the Esslingen district provides information about the exact processes and requirements.

After passing the test (which allows drivers to drive accompanied up to the age of 18), a variety of documents must be submitted, including a biometric photo and proof of first aid training. The fees are 40.80 euros with a trial period, while for class A1 it is slightly cheaper, but there are additional costs for additional accompanying persons.

A delay with consequences

The situation is not only frustrating for young people who want to finally get behind the wheel, but could also have far-reaching consequences. While applications can be processed more quickly in other regions, the long waiting time could mean that many young people are left behind and may have to wait longer for their mobility. These circumstances obscure the benefits of accompanied driving and reduce trust in the responsible authorities.

The driving license office has its new location in Plochingen, at the address Am Observation Tower 7. In order to get an appointment there, it is important to register online in advance. Despite the difficulties, offering accompanied driving from the age of 17 could be a life-changing step for many young people in the Esslingen district, not only promoting independence, but also placing parental support at the forefront.

So the challenge remains: How can official processes be made faster so that youth work can be directed in the desired direction? A good knack for this would be the key to not only listening to the young people's wishes, but also implementing them quickly.