RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in Switzerland

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, category B

Getting your licence in Switzerland

Theory questions, in 45 minutes50
Error points allowed (out of 150)15
Theory test feeCHF 30–40
Driving test feeCHF 120–140
Refresher course in the first yearCHF 340–510
Driving test length (e.g. canton of Aargau)60 min

Fees vary by canton. Lessons, if you take them, cost CHF 80–110 each.

Before you start driving

2
Learner's licenceYes. Pass the theory test first. Valid 24 months, with a blue L plate. If you're under 20, hold it 12 months before the driving test.
Medical checkAn eye test (CHF 10–15).

Required lessons

3
Traffic skills course (VKU)8 hours over 2 to 4 days, compulsory before the driving test.
First aid courseCompulsory before the learner's licence. The certificate is valid for 6 years.
Driving lessonsNot compulsory, but very few learners pass without them. You can also practise with a companion aged 23+ who has held a licence for 3 years.

Good to know

8
Minimum age17 for a learner's licence, 18 for the driving test.
Licence validityNo expiry. From 75, a medical check every 2 years.
Exam languagesGerman, French or Italian, depending on the canton. Many cantons also offer English and other languages.
If you failTheory: retake as often as you like. Driving test: usually after a month. After a third fail, an aptitude test.
Automatic or manualSince 2021, passing in an automatic also lets you drive manual cars.
New driversA 3-year probationary licence, with a one-day refresher course in the first 12 months. A serious offence adds a year.
Already have a licence from abroad?Exchange it within 12 months of moving. EU, EEA and UK licences, and those from countries such as the US, Canada, Japan and Australia, need no test drive. Others take a test drive. See the Abroad tab.
Also worth knowing
  • Book the traffic skills course early: you can't register for the driving test without it.
  • You can take the theory test about a month before your 17th birthday.

Step by step

  1. First aid and eye testDo the first aid course and the eye test, then apply to your canton.
  2. Theory testPass it to get your learner's licence.
  3. Practice and VKU courseDrive with a companion or an instructor, and attend the traffic skills course.
  4. Driving testAt your canton's licensing office. You get a probationary licence by post.
  5. Refresher courseOne day within 12 months. After 3 years, apply for the full licence.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • Common reasons for failing: ignoring right of way or red lights, speeding, missing the shoulder check, following too closely and driving into a one-way street.
  • Look, signal, then steer, in that order, every time.
  • Expect a few technical questions first, such as checking the oil or the minimum tyre tread, then tasks like reversing, parking, an emergency stop and a U-turn.
  • Book the test for a calm period, not alongside exams or other stress.

Based on: Comparis: The practical driving test in Switzerland (German) ↗

Official links

ch.ch: Learning to drive ↗Fedlex: Road Traffic Licensing Ordinance (VZV) ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

Our responsibility. We work hard to keep RoadVisa correct, but we can't promise it is complete or up to date. As far as the law allows, we are not responsible for fines, refused applications, costs or other losses that come from relying on it.

Links to other sites. We link to official and other websites for your convenience. We don't control them and aren't responsible for their content.

Found a mistake? Use the report form above. What you send is used only to check and correct the information. See our privacy notice.