Driving license, exam questions: What should the new regulation look like?
At an advanced hour the MPs accepted a motion from the Union and FDP (17/7937) on the recommendation of the Transport Committee (17/8482). In it, the federal government is requested, among other things, to raise the HP limit for a driving license requirement for sports boats from currently five to 15 HP (11.4 kW) in the future.
In addition, different regulations on driving licenses are to be summarized and the test is to be structured in a modular manner, whereby practical basic skills are to be placed more in the foreground.
Minimum equipment standards for charter yachts should be based on the respective sailing area and not on the size of the ship. In addition, further waters are to be released for pleasure craft shipping with a charter license.
It is now up to the Federal Ministry of Transport to change the relevant ordinances. Until when this happens will depend, among other things, on the urgency the ministry officials attach to the Bundestag resolution, how much effort is involved and, last but not least, how hard the MPs will try in the coming months at the ministry to ensure that implementation is carried out quickly.
Torsten Staffeldt, FDP, one of the initiators of the new driving license regulations, says: “With the approval of the application by the FDP and CDU / CSU for a sports boat license, the first important step has been taken. But it is at least as important to stay on the ball and not lose sight of the reform. I just remind you of the proposal by the grand coalition to improve water tourism. Hardly anything has been implemented to date. That won't happen to us."
And further: "Our goal is to implement the two key points - driving license up to 15 hp and increasing the practical component in training - by the summer of this year. We have therefore agreed with the Union to hold regular talks with the Federal Ministry of Transport from March onwards to let us know about the status of the implementation."
