While obtaining a driving license remains a necessary step for millions of French people, industry professionals are calling for a major reform: increasing the minimum number of mandatory driving hours from 20 to 28 hours. A proposal that is already divisive.
A "necessary" reform according to professionals
Currently, the law requires a minimum of 20 hours of driving to pass the practical B license test. However, in reality, the national average is closer to 30 to 35 hours for beginner candidates. For Patrick Mirouse, president of the French Driving School, interviewed by our colleagues at BFMTV, this minimum threshold is “misleading” and contributes to a high failure rate. In 2024, only 58% of candidates passed their practical test on the first attempt, forcing them to retake the test and pay for a second attempt, accompanied by several additional hours of driving.
Patrick Bessone, national president of Mobilians Education and Safety road safety, goes further: “We must stop lying to young people. Today, the truth is that 20 hours are not enough to acquire the skills necessary for safe driving,” says the man speaking to RMC. A hybrid model, with 24 hours of practice and four hours of group theory lessons, could reduce the overall cost, while increasing efficiency of training.
Towards a more expensive license?
An increase in mandatory hours naturally raises concerns about the cost of the license. In 2025, complete training already costs between 1,800 and 2,000 euros on average in France. However, professionals assure that this reform would not necessarily lead to a price increase. Indeed, the majority of candidates already exceed the 20 hours included in the current packages. Thus, standardizing the number of hours at 28 could even avoid additional costs related to repeated failures.
Beyond financial and educational considerations, this reform also aims to improve road safety. In France, nearly 195 people lost their lives on the roads in February 2025. Young drivers remain particularly vulnerable in their first years behind the wheel. By increasing the mandatory learning time, driving schools hope to produce more competent drivers and reduce these tragic figures. While the Ministry of the Interior is currently conducting consultations to revise the regulatory framework for driving licenses, this proposal could well be adopted in the coming months. While it still sparks debate among candidates and professionals, it reflects a common desire: to make learning more effective while increasing road safety.
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