Traveling by car through Berne, Zurich, Geneva, Basel or any other city in Switzerland is highly recommended and simple in terms of the documentation you need and the traffic regulations. But, there are two important things you should know before traveling in Switzerland.
First be careful with speed since radars and fines are frequent. Second, always carry your driving license.
If you are looking to get your driving license or führerausweis in Switzerland, following important information will surely help you.
Following are the two phases you need to pass through in order to obtain a driving license in Switzerland.
First phase:
From the age of 16 (class A1) or 18 (category B), a young person can apply for admission to the theoretical examination to the Section of the Circulation of their canton (Motorization). To obtain it, you must fill out a specific form, submit to the examination by a licensed optician, send two photos, and in the meantime attend a First Aid course (10 hours) at a recognized Samaritan Section (compulsory course).
After passing the theoretical exam (60 questions with the most possible answers made to the computer and only within a public facility), the student driver license is issued. NB: the theoretical exam for the two categories is the same.
At this point, the student can travel on a public road open with accompanied traffic or a master driver, or an adult who is over 25 years old and with the license for at least three years. Before taking the practical exam, you need to attend the 8-hour traffic awareness course.
On the day of the exam, the student shows up, accompanied by a master driver or another adult person, with a “simple” car, i.e., not equipped with “double controls”.
The cantonal expert, after having ascertained the suitability of the car (must be of adequate power and with good visibility) and checked the various documents, he will start along with the student, for the exam guide (which will last 50 minutes). At the end of the race, the expert informs the student of the outcome and, only at this point, the driver or the person who accompanied the student can ask the expert for information.
Only in special cases and, only with the consent of the expert, the master driver can attend the exam, but in silence and accommodated in the back seat of the car. After passing the exam, the young man obtains a temporary driving license for three years and can move freely with any type of car.
Second Phase:
During the 3-year trial, the young person must attend two additional compulsory courses of 8 hours each.
After about six months from the practical exam, he can attend the 1st course on the physical laws that govern the running car, emergency braking, distances, the skid in the corners, etc.
Before the expiry of the three years, he must attend the 2nd course of verification of the guide and the teaching of the ecological guide.
Only after having attended the two courses and at the end of the three years, he will receive the final license. Keep in mind that in the three years of testing, the new driver must not incur serious infractions; otherwise, the whole process will be redone from the beginning.
