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AngloINFO: Everyday life in Switzerland, in English
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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 to an official on demand.

Swiss law allows the following types of licence:

Licence holders may only drive the category of vehicle for which their licence is valid. The minimum driving age is 18 for most categories of vehicles. Motorcycles (50cc) with a maximum speed of 30 Km/h and agricultural motor vehicles with a maximum speed of 30 Km/h may be driven at the age of 14. Category F motor vehicles with a maximum speed of 45 Km/h may be driven at 16.

Foreign Driving Licence

A person with a foreign driving licence that cannot be exchanged for a Swiss one or anyone who does not have a foreign driving licence will need to take the full theory and practical driving examinations in Switzerland.

Applying for a Swiss Driving Licence

Qualifying for a Swiss driving licence involves:

  1. Passing a driver's theory examination to get a learner's permit
  2. Taking and passing the driving test
Swiss Driving Test

The Swiss driving test includes a written exam and a practical test. The theory book and road traffic book are available in English, some driving schools provide theory papers in other languages. The theory test can only be taken in one of the three national languages; French, German or Italian.

  1. Is this the same theory book as you need for the theory test for the learner's exam? 
  2. Do you have to get instruction from a qualified driving instructor?
  3. How/where do you make an appointment for a test
  4. May you have a translator present/do it in English?

Getting a learner's permit

A learner's permit (permis d'élève conducteur) is issued once the applicant has successfully passed the theory test. The theory course includes 10 hours of first aid instruction to learn how to help traffic accident victims and then 8 hours of theory (road rules). 

  1. Does the application for learner's permit include the application to do the theory exam?
  2. Where do you get the study books?
  3. Where/how do you do the training for the first aid?
  4. Can the theory be done in English? no

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

The followings documents are required:

Learner drivers must be accompanied by a person aged 23 or over and who has had a driving licence for at least three years. The learner's permit is valid for two years.

The practical examination is open to over 18s who hold a valid learner's permit. The person is tested on their ability to drive in traffic, park and manoeuvre the vehicle. 

Take the following documents to the test:

Note: Photocopies are not accepted.

Anyone who fails their practical driving test twice can not pass their driving test again until a driving instructor states 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 a fourth or final attempt.

The process for drivers applying for a category B licence changed in 2005. Once the person has successfully passed the practical driving test they will receive a temporary driving licence valid for three years. During this period they must attend two one-day training courses at an authorised private test centre. 

Once the person has completed the additional driving courses they will receive their full driving licence which is valid for life. Drivers over the age of 70 must have a medical test every two years.

Contact Information

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Page generated at 03:16; Thursday 21 August, 2008
Copyright © 2000-2008 AngloINFO Limited. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, About, Advertising, Contact.
AngloINFO: Everyday life in Switzerland, in English
Find out more about AngloINFO in Switzerland...