FAQ

FAQ 1

How to get a Swiss license from scratch?

Yes, your first aid course is valid in all cantons. The validity of your certificate is 6 years.

At an additional cost we would help you in the application service.

You can apply for a provisional license from the appropriate authority a month before your 17th birthday. However, you won't be able to drive alone until you have passed your practical exam at the of 18 years old.

A provisional license can also be called a student driving license or a learner's license. You will have to be accompanied by someone who is at least 23 years old and has held a driver's license for at least three years that is no longer on probation period.

Yes it is possible to do you theoretical test in English. You will be able to choose the language at the beginning of your test.

Unfortunately not, the experts at the OCV will only be giving you instructions in French.

No, there are no mandatory driving hours in Switzerland. However, they are highly recommended.

If you have a provisional license, then you won’t able to be accompanied by a translator during your practical exam. However, if you are exchanging your license, then you will have the possibility to have an accredited translator with you during your practical exam.

You will have to be accompanied by someone who is at least 23 years old and has held a driver's license for at least three years that is no longer on probation period.

Yes you can do your practical exam with your own car as long as there is a handbrake that be reached, electronic handbrake are not allowed though. However, going with a driving school car during your exam is well perceived.

Unfortunately, it is not permitted to drive outside Switzerland on a provisional license.

Yes, it is possible to do your sensibilisation course in Geneva if you live in Vaud.

Yes you can but before registering for your practical exam in Geneva, you will have to do ask for a waiver in your canton's vehicles department to do the exam in another canton.

Yes you can. To book the car for the practical test, you will simply need to tell your instructor the date and time.

FAQ 2

How to exchange a foreign license into a Swiss one?

People coming from one of the following countries are exempted from practical exams and their licenses will be exchanged without any test:

Andorra / Australia / Austria / Belgium / Bulgaria / Canada / Cyprus / Croatia / Czech Republic / Denmark / Estonia / Finland / France / Germany / Great Britain / Greece / Hungary / Iceland / Ireland / Israel / Italy / Japan / Latvia / Liechtenstein / Lithuania / Luxembourg / Malta / Monaco / Morocco / Netherlands / New Zealand / Norway / Poland / Portugal / Romania / San Marino / Singapore / Slovakia / Slovenia / Spain / Sweden / Tunisia / USA

No, it is not mandatory. However it is highly recommended as Swiss road rules can be different from your country of origin and you only have one (1) chance !

You only get one !

Therefore, if you fail the practical test you will have to follow the normal process of obtaining a Swiss driving licence.

First, you have to determine if a practical exam is required by Geneva state to exchange your national license. If yes, then we recommend you to have your driving skills evaluated by our school before registering in the vehicle cantonal office (OCV) to exchange your national license into a Swiss one.

If you fail the practical test you won't have the possibility to drive in Switzerland with your national license and will have to follow the normal process of obtaining a Swiss driving licence.

As it is pretty difficult and variable from a driver to another to assess how many driving lessons you will need, we can only give you the procedure costs. You will have to pay for an eye test (CHF 20.-), a registering fee in the vehicle car office (CHF ?), an optional cost for an official translator during the practical exam (CHF 150.-) and an issuing fee after succeeding in your practical exam (CHF 150.-).

No, no theoretical question will be asked. However, if you keep missing the main road sign during the exam or missunderstand regularly the priority rules, they may have some doutes about your ability to drive in Switzerland.

By law, you can use your national license in Switzerland for one year. After that you have to exchange your national license into a Swiss one.

Of course, we will be glad to help you get more at ease with the right-hand side driving in Switzerland. We can as well do tailored lessons according your needs (parking at home, Motorway practice to Lausanne, mountain driving, snow driving, commuting from home to work, etc)

Yes you can. To book the car for the practical test, you will simply need to tell your instructor the date and time.

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