What is L17 and why was it created?
The L17 program is an innovative way of training future drivers. While the theoretical and practical part of the driving school is the same as in a standard course, young drivers aged 17 do not immediately receive a full driving license after successfully passing the final exams. Instead, they can only drive a vehicle accompanied by a mentor, an experienced driver who sits in the passenger seat and supervises the driving process.
The main goal of L17 is to provide young drivers with the opportunity to drive more kilometers under supervision and gain experience in various traffic situations that they would not have access to in a regular driving school course. This longer supervised phase is expected to lead to more responsible driving behaviour and a reduction in accidents among young drivers, who are statistically the most at-risk group.
How is L17 different from a regular driving school?
The basic training in a driving school is the same for both the L17 and the standard driving licence. You complete a minimum number of hours of theory and practice, and then you have to take the final exams (theory test and practical driving). The difference comes after you successfully pass the exams:
- Standard driving licence (from 18 years): You get a full driving licence and can drive on your own straight away.
- L17 (from 17 years): You get a driving licence, but with a restriction – you must always drive with a registered mentor in the passenger seat. This restriction applies until your 18th birthday. Once you reach the age of majority, your driving license will automatically change to unrestricted and you can drive independently.
Important note: The L17 regime is valid only in the Czech Republic.
Who can be a mentor and what are the conditions?
A mentor plays a key role in the L17 program. Most often, they are parents, but they can also be another close relative or friend. In order to become a mentor, someone must meet the following strict conditions:
- They must have held a category B driving license for at least 10 years and continuously for the last 5 years.
- They must have zero points, i.e. must not have any penalty points on their account.
- They must not have any driving bans and their driving license must not be withheld.
- They must be medically fit to drive.
- They must agree to be registered as a mentor for the young driver.
- They must not be under the influence of alcohol or other addictive substances while driving.
A young driver can have a maximum of four registered mentors. Registration of the first mentor is free, for each additional one you pay a fee of CZK 100. The mentor is registered by the relevant municipal authority with extended competence (i.e. where you apply for your driving license). The mentor is jointly responsible for the course of the drive and may be punished together with the young driver in the event of an accident if his/her fault is proven.
The process of obtaining a L17 driving license
- Age: You can start driving school courses at the age of 15.5.
- Registering for a driving school: As with a regular course, you register for a driving school and submit the necessary documents (medical report, consent of a legal guardian).
- Training: You will complete theoretical training (road rules, vehicle control, basic first aid) and practical training (at least 28 hours of driving).
- Final exams: After completing the training, you will take a theoretical test and a practical drive with a commissioner. You have 3 attempts for each part.
- Mentor registration: Before the driver's license is issued, the mentor is registered with the municipal office with extended powers.
- Driving with a mentor: After obtaining the L17 driver's license, you may only drive accompanied by a registered mentor. It is recommended to use the L17 mobile application, which is used to record mileage and develop skills.
- Adultery age: On your 18th birthday, your driving license automatically changes to unlimited and you can drive independently.
How much does L17 cost?
The price of an L17 course at a driving school does not differ significantly from a regular group B driving license. It usually ranges between 17,000 and 28,000 CZK, depending on the specific driving school and the type of course (e.g. standard, accelerated, VIP). In addition to the course price, you should also consider the fee for a medical examination and any fees for registering additional mentors (the first mentor isrma, each additional one for 100 CZK).
The first results of L17 are very promising!
The L17 program was launched on January 1, 2024, and in its first year of operation, a significant number of young drivers and mentors signed up. The results so far are surprisingly positive and indicate that the program is indeed fulfilling its purpose:
- Since January 2024, 24,048 drivers have obtained an L17 license.
- 40,717 mentors have been registered.
The most important findings: While 18-year-old drivers (those who obtained a standard driver's license at the age of 18) caused 1,106 traffic accidents in 2024, 17-year-old drivers in the L17 regime were responsible for only 6 accidents during the same period!
BESIP (part of the Ministry of Transport) evaluates the program very positively and confirmed that "education for responsibility and support for family mentoring makes sense". The Ministry of Transport even plans to further expand L17.
Other positive findings:
- A survey by the GEN agency for the University of Economics showed that 82% of young drivers were motivated to participate in L17 by the fact that they can start driving earlier, and 54% feel more confident with a mentor.
- Almost all mentors (97%) would recommend L17.
- Driving school teachers also express a positive opinion, noting that young drivers are better prepared for crisis situations.
- Only 71 points of violation were recorded in the L17 regime, which is a negligible number compared to the total number of young drivers.
Conclusion: L17 as a successful model for future
The L17 program in the Czech Republic is proving to be a very successful project that effectively increases road safety and helps young drivers gain valuable experience under supervision. If you are thinking about getting a driver's license at a younger age, L17 is definitely an interesting and responsible choice.
The biggest advantage of the program is the possibility of a gradual transition to independent driving with a significantly lower risk of accidents. Young drivers will thus have more time to acquire safety habits and build confidence behind the wheel.
Do you have questions about the L17 program or are you looking for a driving school that offers L17 courses? Check out our offer of driving schools at Kvalty.cz!