A First

My nephew, 17, passed his driving test last week.

Today we arrived in the same train and my sister picked us up. Of course it was up to my nephew to take us home!
It wasn't a first for him, but for me driving with him ("no risk, no fun", lol).
But he did really good!

Until he's 18 he is under "accompanied driving".
This is still very new in Germany. Before you were allowed to drive on your own when 18 only; now you can get your license at age 17 and until you turn 18 you are only allowed driving in company of certain registered adults over 30 years of age with no major recorded traffic violations and in possession of a driver's license for more than 5 years.
This procedure has lowered the accident rate of young drivers a lot and is now established after a few years of "test mode".

Except for the US I don't know anything about regulations in other countries. It is very expensive in Germany to get your driver's licence. You go to school for the theory and have to pass a test, and you have to take a certain number of practical driving lessons in driving schools ("Fahrschule") with a driving teacher ("Fahrlehrer") and of course pass a test, too. The more lessons you need the more expensive it gets (my daughter's license cost me a fortune!).
You are not at all allowed to take private lessons like in your parents car!

If you have been driving on German streets you know why it is difficult to get your license.

6:45 pm 6,4° C