L17 - driving licence from 17 years of age
As of 1 January 2024, applicants for a driving licence may take a driving test and be granted a licence from the age of 17 with the written consent of a legal guardian (usually a parent).
Training at a driving school is carried out in the same way as for other applicants. It is recommended to start no earlier than the age of 16,5.
Until the age of 18, they may only drive with restrictions under strict conditions, accompanied by a so-called 'mentor'. The mentor is obliged to sit in the seat next to the driver, to monitor the traffic situation and the driver's behaviour, and to advise the driver if necessary. He/she is not allowed to physically interfere with the control of the vehicle.
A mentor must not accompany a driver under the influence of alcohol or other addictive substances or when his/her ability to do so is impaired by his/her state of health.
The mentor shall, when requested by a police officer (or other authorised person), provide proof of identity and submit to an examination to determine whether he/she is under the influence of alcohol or other addictive substances.
The conditions for driving under the supervision of a mentor are laid down in Section 83a of Act No 361/2000 Coll., on Road Traffic.
You can apply for a mentor at any time at the Drivers' Register. It is best to do this when applying for a driving licence. This saves an administrative fee of CZK 100. At the same time, it is recommended to ask for the communication of changes in the drivers' register to both the applicant and the mentor. This can be done e.g. by text message. You can get details from the driver's register.
Conditions for the mentor's registration:
(a) have been granted a Group B licence more than 10 years ago,
(b) have held a Group B licence continuously for the last 5 years (discharged, administrative or driving ban)
(c) not have a current driving licence suspension,
(d) have no points on his/her driving record; and
(e) consent to such an entry.
Each 17 year old driver may have no more than 4 mentors on the driving record
The Driving Licensing Register shall cancel the registration of a mentor if:
- the 17-year-old driver requests it; or
- the mentor ceases to meet any of the mandatory conditions
The competent municipal authority of the municipality with extended competence shall immediately notify both the 17-year-old driver and the mentor of the cancellation of the mentor's registration in the register of drivers. The cancellation of the mentor's registration in the register of drivers shall take effect from the delivery of this notification to the 17-year-old driver.
For details, see Section 83a of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on Road Traffic HERE
Interesting information compiled by the Association of Driving Schools of the Czech Republic can be found on the website www.autoskolaL17.cz