Getting a Driving Licence in Geneva, Switzerland

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Getting a Driving Licence in Geneva, Switzerland

A valid driving licence is compulsory for anyone driving any type of motor vehicle on the roads in Switzerland. The licence must be carried on all journeys and must be presented on demand by law enforcement officials.

The following types of licences may be used to operate a vehicle in Switzerland:

• Valid Swiss driving licence
• Valid driving licence from any EU/EEA country
• Valid foreign driving licence represented by an international driving licence

Licence holders may only drive a vehicle in the category (categories) for which their licence is valid. A Category B licence is required to drive a normal passenger vehicle in Switzerland. The minimum driving age is 18 for most categories of vehicles. 

Small motorcycles (under 50cc; known as cyclomoteurs) may be driven from the age of 14 at a maximum speed of 30 Km/h. Motorcycles (under 50cc with a maximum speed of 45 Km/h) may be driven from the age of 16. 

Foreign Driving Licences

Holders of driver's licences from certain countries may exchange their licence for a Swiss one (within a certain time period). A person with a foreign driving licence that cannot be exchanged for a Swiss one will need to take the full theory and practical driving examinations in Switzerland.

• For details on exchanging a driver's licence, see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Switzerland

In some cases when the foreign driving licence may not be exchanged for a Swiss one, the person may be authorised to take a simplified practical test. If they fail the test then they will have to take the full theory and practical driving examinations. This may also apply to those persons that do not exchange their driving licence within the specified 12 months of their arrival in the country.

Obtaining a Swiss Driving Licence

The steps to obtaining a Swiss licence are:

• Complete ten hours of first aid instruction (premier secours)
• Successfully complete the driving theory test
• A provisional licence/learner's permit is issued
• Complete eight hours of road awareness theory courses (sensibilisation)
• Successfully complete the practical examination
• Obtain a Swiss driving licence (for new drivers, two further training courses will be necessary over the next 3 years)

The driving theory test

The Swiss driving test includes a written exam and a practical test. Applications for the theory and the practical test are made at the local Road Traffic Office (Office Cantonal des Automobiles et de la Navigation - OCAN). There are no compulsory lessons for these examinations, however ten hours of first aid classes (premier secours) and eight hours of road-traffic awareness (sensibilisation) with a certified organisation are mandatory.

The theory book and road traffic book are available in English and some driving schools provide theory papers in other languages. Study books for the theory test can be obtained from most driving schools and from bookshops. The theory test can only be taken in one of the three national languages: French, German or Italian. For foreigners that do not speak one of these languages, a translator may be present. However, the translator must be certified by the OCAN. 

Provisional driving licences

A learner's permit/provisional driving licence (permis d'élève conducteur) is issued once the applicant has successfully passed the theory test. In order to qualify to take the theory test, students must prove that they have carried out the compulsory ten hours of first aid instruction. Training for the first aid course can only be carried out by a company that is certified by the Swiss Federal Roads Office (Office Fédéral des Routes). 

Application for a learner's permit is made at the applicant's local Road Traffic Office (Service des Automobiles et de la Navigation).

The followings documents are required:

• Proof of identity
• Two colour passport photographs
• A recent (less than 2 years old) certificate from an optician. The optician must be certified by the OCAN.   
  •  For a list of certified opticians in the Geneva canton: Click here
• The application form for a learner's permit 
  • Geneva canton application form: Click here (in French)
  • Vaud canton application form: Click here (PDF in French)

Road awareness theory courses

Once the applicant has received their learner's permit they can begin the compulsory eight hours of theory covering road traffic awareness, known as Sensibilisation aux problèmes du trafic routier. This is an introduction to the most common accident causes and situations. In the Geneva canton, the learner driver will also receive a certificate (attestation) along with the learner's permit that will be stamped by the driving school once the eight hours of sensibilisation have been completed. In the other cantons of French-speaking Switzerland, the driving school will stamp the learner's permit. 

When driving, learner drivers must be accompanied by someone aged 23 or over who has had a driving licence for at least three years, and must have an L sticker on the back of the car. This can be bought from most supermarkets and petrol stations and can be in plastic, a sticker or a magnet. The learner's permit is valid for two years.

The practical driving test

The practical examination is open to those 18-years old and older who hold a valid learner's permit. The applicant is tested on their ability to drive in traffic, park and manoeuvre the vehicle. 

The following documents must be presented at the test:

• Proof of identity (passport, residence permit or identity card)
• Learner's permit
• Registration documents of the vehicle

Note: Photocopies are not accepted.

Anyone who fails their practical driving test twice cannot take the driving test again until a driving instructor provides an attestation that the person has completed their driving training.

A person who fails their driving test more than three times will be referred to a psychologist who will determine if they are mentally fit to drive and whether they may have another attempt.

Additional testing required

Once the practical driving test has been passed, the driver will receive a temporary driving licence valid for three years. During this period the driver must attend two one-day training courses at an authorised private test centre. The first one-day course must be taken within six months of obtaining the temporary driving licence, and the second within the three years and after the first test has been taken.

• To find a local training course: Click here (in French)

Once the person has completed the additional driving courses they will receive their full driving licence which is valid for life. The final driving licence will only be delivered at the end of the three year period. Drivers over the age of 70 must have a medical test every two years to ensure they are capable of driving safely.

Contact Information

Canton of Geneva:

• Office Cantonal des Automobiles et de la Navigation (Road Traffic Office/OCAN)
  At: 86, rue du Veyrier, 1227 Carouge
  Tel: +41 (0)22 388 30 30
  Open: Monday to Friday 07:30-16:00
  e-mail
  Website 

Canton of Vaud:

• Office Cantonal des Automobiles et de la Navigation (Road Traffic Office)
  At: 110-112 Avenue du Grey, 1014 Lausanne
  Tel: +41 (0)21 316 82 10
  Fax: +41 (0)21 316 82 11
  Website

Related Information

• Federal Roads Office
• For a translation of the Swiss driving licence: Click here (PDF)

With Contributions by Frank Valley - Simplycity Driving School
Simplycity Formations SA, 26B Route de Chene, 1208 Geneva
Tel: +41 (0)848 746 759
e-mail : Website