Obtaining a Swiss driver’s license involves 8 main steps:
You can start the process to obtain your category B learner’s permit one month before your 17th birthday and category A1 one month before your 15th birthday.
You can retake the theory exam as many times as necessary until you pass.
Yes, this course is mandatory for all learner drivers. It is offered by L Performance Driving School at a price of CHF 59.-
The course totals 8 hours, which can be divided into two 4-hour sessions or four 2-hour sessions (learn more).
Yes, you must have a valid learner’s license to enroll in this course.
Yes, a valid learner’s permit is required to register for this course (“3 sessions of 4 hours”).
No, taking the practical driving test requires prior attendance at the road awareness course (“Category B”). The only exception applies to those who already have a driving license for categories A, A1, or B1. For these categories, prior completion of the mandatory motorcycle course is required.
The learner’s driver license is valid for 24 months for car categories (B) and 4 months for motorcycles (A), and its validity is limited to Switzerland.
No, the learner’s driver license is only valid in Switzerland, and it is not recommended to drive abroad for insurance reasons.
Yes, you must complete a first aid course to apply for the learner’s driver license. The certificate obtained at the end of this course is valid for six years.
You can apply for the learner’s driver license as early as one month before turning 17.
The necessary forms and detailed information are available on the website of the OCV (Cantonal Vehicle Office of Geneva).
The accompanying person must be at least 23 years old and have held a valid driver’s license for at least three years, which is no longer provisional. They are responsible for safety and compliance with traffic rules, and must be able to operate the handbrake.
The accompanying person is responsible for infractions related to their obligations, while the learner driver is responsible for infractions that could have been avoided through their driving skills.
A white “L” on a blue background must be visibly displayed on the back of the vehicle during driving lessons and removed when the vehicle is not used for this purpose. Only insured vehicles can be used, and neither the learner nor the companion may consume alcohol before a lesson. Other passengers may be present in the vehicle during driving lessons.
To be eligible for the practical driving test, the candidate must be 18 years old. This crucial step assesses the ability to drive safely and in accordance with traffic regulations.
It is highly recommended to take driving lessons from a licensed instructor, who is best placed to assess whether the candidate possesses the required skills to pass the test. Experience shows that it is extremely difficult to achieve a positive outcome in the exam without adequate preparation.
Registration for the practical exam must be done at the OCV.
The exam must be taken with a vehicle corresponding to the category of the license being sought. The candidate must present a valid ID, the learner’s driver license, a valid driver’s license for other categories if applicable, and the vehicle’s registration document used during the test.
Following a successful test, the candidate receives their probationary driving license by mail.
After a first failure, it is generally possible to retake the exam after a one-month period. A second failure requires submission of a certificate from a licensed instructor confirming completion of driving training for a third registration. In case of a third failure, a driving aptitude test is required. Failure of this test results in the invalidity of the learner’s driver license, requiring the candidate to undergo a traffic psychology assessment before any new attempt. After a fourth failure, only a positive psychological evaluation allows for re-taking the exam.
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