Driving at 17 Becoming Increasingly Popular in the Czech Republic

More and more teenagers in the Czech Republic are obtaining their driving licence at the age of 17. Since the introduction of the so-called L17 scheme, more than 72,000 young people have obtained a Category B driving licence.

Since January 2024, 17-year-olds in the Czech Republic have been allowed to drive, provided they are accompanied by an experienced mentor. According to the Ministry of Transport, interest in the scheme continues to grow. Over the past two months, L17 participants have accounted for more than 30 per cent of all newly qualified drivers.

Between January 2024 and the end of June 2026, a total of 72,465 people obtained a Category B driving licence through the L17 scheme. During the same period, 300,974 new Category B driving licences were issued overall. This means that almost a quarter of all new driving licences were obtained through the supervised driving scheme for 17-year-olds.

The growing popularity of the scheme is also reflected in a comparison of January figures. In January 2024, 770 young people obtained a driving licence through the L17 scheme. By January 2025, the figure had risen to 1,850, and in January this year it increased further to 2,186.

"Driving at 17 allows young drivers to gain experience gradually and safely," said Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik. According to the ministry, the scheme also contributes to road safety. Young drivers who drive under the supervision of a mentor before their 18th birthday commit fewer traffic offences than other novice drivers.

Foto: Gemini (AI)

Fewer Traffic Offences Among L17 Participants

Of the nearly 301,000 people who obtained a Category B driving licence since the beginning of 2024, a total of 11,943 had received at least one penalty point in the Czech traffic penalty points system by the end of June 2026. Among participants in the L17 scheme, 2,028 people were affected. This represents around 2.8 per cent. Among all new driving licence holders, the figure was approximately four per cent.

Nearly 33,000 Active Mentors

Mentors play a central role in the scheme. During the first 30 months, a total of 125,495 people registered as mentors. By the end of June 2026, there were 32,984 active mentors – the highest number since the scheme was introduced.

By the end of May this year alone, 30,329 new registrations had been added. Some of these registrations were completed online via the Transport Portal. The portal now allows users both to apply for a driving licence and to register mentors.

Under the supervision of an experienced mentor, young drivers are expected to gain experience in situations for which there is often limited time during driving school. These include driving outside built-up areas, on motorways, at night and in winter conditions.

How the L17 Scheme Works

Young people can enrol at a driving school from the age of 15 years and six months. After completing the standard training, they may take the final driving test at the age of 17 and apply for a driving licence.

Until their 18th birthday, they may drive only when accompanied by a registered mentor. Each young driver may register up to four mentors, while each mentor may supervise several learner drivers.