Swiss driving licence
On this page, you’ll find all the important steps and information on the road to your driving licence.
01
Obtaining a provisional licence
Provisional licence
Minimum age
To learn to drive, you need a provisional licence. You can take the necessary steps even before you turn 17.
First aid course
You must take a first aid course before you can apply for a provisional licence. The certificate is valid for six years.
Application
As a general rule, you can apply for a provisional licence from the relevant authority no earlier than one month before you turn 17.
You can download the appropriate form from the website of the motor vehicle department in your canton of residence and hand it in at the place indicated.
Theory test
Once the authorities have approved your application for a provisional licence, you can register for the theory test. In most cantons, you are invited to register online.
The cost of the theory test varies from canton to canton. For more information, contact the motor vehicle department in your canton of residence.
The theory test can be retaken as many times as necessary.
Once you have passed it, you will be issued with a provisional licence.
02
Learning to drive
Driving with a provisional licence
If you have a provisional licence, you can drive with an accompanying person. When doing so, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Validity of the provisional licence
- The learner’s permit is valid for 24 months for cars (category B) and 4 months for motorbikes (category A).
- It is only valid in Switzerland. For insurance reasons, it is not advisable to undertake training courses abroad.
Rules for the person accompanying a lerner
- As a person accompanying a learner, you must be at least 23 years old and have held a driving licence for at least three years; it must no longer be on probation.
- On the road, you must ensure that safety is guaranteed and that traffic rules are observed..
- The handbrake must be easy to reach and operate.
- If you fail to fulfil your obligations, you are liable for any offences. Student drivers are liable for offences that they could have avoided by virtue of their driving ability.
Further rules that apply to learner drivers
- A white “L” on a blue background must be clearly visible at the rear of the vehicle. This must be removed when the vehicle is not being used for a training run.
- You may only use vehicles with third-party liability insurance for training courses.
- Learners and accompanying persons must not drink alcohol before a learning event (you are punishable if you drink more than 0.1 per mille).
- Other people can take a seat in the car used for training runs.
03
Take a traffic skills course
Traffic skills course
The traffic skills course is compulsory. It lasts eight hours, spread over two to four days, and is run by driving schools and driving instructors.
You will need a valid provisional licence to attend the traffic skills course.
You can only register for the practical driving test once you have attended the traffic skills course. However, you do not need to attend the traffic skills course if you already have a category A, A1 or B1 driving licence.
04
Passing your driving test
The driving test
You must be at least 18 years old to take the practical driving test. An expert assesses whether you drive safely and obey the rules of the road. Your driving instructor is the best person to judge whether you can pass the test. It is very difficult to pass the test without having taken a driving course.
You can register for the driving test with the motor vehicle department in your canton of residence.
Examination requirements
You must take the practical driving test in a vehicle of the appropriate category.
You must bring the following documents with you to the test:
- valid identification (passport, identity card or residence permit);
- provisional licence ;
- driving licence, if you are already entitled to drive vehicles in other categories;
- driving licence for the vehicle used for the tests.
If you pass the test
If you pass the driving test, you will receive your probationary driving licence by post.
If you fail the test
If you do not pass the driving test on your first attempt, you can usually retake it after one month.
If you fail the test a second time, you must produce a certificate from an approved driving instructor before you can register for the test a third time. The certificate must state that you have completed your driving training.
If you fail a third time, you must take a driving aptitude test. Only then can you take the test again. If you fail the test, your learner’s permit is no longer valid. You must then undergo a traffic psychology assessment, which must be positive before you can take the test again.
If you fail the test for the fourth time, you have only one chance of taking the test: you must undergo a traffic psychology assessment, which must be positive.
05
Probationary driving licence and refresher course
Probationary driving licence
When you acquire a category A (motorcycle) or category B (car) driving licence for the first time, you will initially be issued with a probationary driving licence.
How long is the probationary period?
The probationary period lasts three years. If you commit a road traffic offence during this period and are disqualified from driving, the probationary period will be extended by one year.
Refresher course
You must attend a one-day refresher course within twelve months of receiving your probationary driving licence.
06
Obtaining your full licence
Full driving licence
Once the probationary period is over and you have completed the refresher course, you can apply for a full driving licence. After that, no further tests are required.
FAQ
Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the procedure for obtaining a Swiss driving licence.
The cost of a driving licence depends on the canton in which you live and the number of driving hours and attempts you need to pass the tests.
You need to take the following costs into account:
- Eye test: 10 to 15 francs
- First-aid course: 100 to 200 francs
- Theory book (not compulsory): approx. 30 francs
- Theory test: 30 to 40 francs
- Provisional licence: 20 to 80 francs
- Traffic skills course: 200 to 280 francs
- Driving lessons (not compulsory, 45–50 min.): 80 to 110 francs per lesson
- Practical driving test: 120 to 140 francs
- Refresher course: 340 to 510 francs
- Probationary driving licence: 30 to 60 francs
For more information on the exact costs, contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office in your canton of residence.
