Once you have passed the driving test you take a car out on the road without a supervisor – at last! The authorities call you a «new driver» and issue you, to begin with, a licence «on probation». In doing so they extend you a great deal of trust, but expect you to justify that confidence over the following 3 years.
What does that mean for you? Which special rules apply to a new driver? What happens if you have to hand it back early? Here you will find answers to the most important questions.
Good to know: as a new driver you only have to attend one full-day WAB course (further training course 2.0) since 1 January 2020. Once the course is completed and the probationary period is over, the unlimited licence is sent to you without you having to ask.
Important: the WAB course has to be completed within the first 12 months of passing the driving test.
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The 8 most common reasons for losing a licence on probation
This video here illustrates the most common reasons why almost 1’500 new drivers in Switzerland have to hand back their probationary licence every year.
Set against around 85’000 newly issued licences in 2019, that may not sound like much. For the individual, though, it means at least an extension of the probationary period by one year, and in a second case annulment. Both measures naturally also have painful financial consequences. It does not have to come to that.
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Why is there a three-year probationary period? What is the legislator trying to achieve?
This rule is meant to encourage new drivers to acquire a disciplined and responsible driving style. During the three years of this special status, particular rules apply under which breaches of the road traffic regulations are punished considerably more strictly. That also leads more quickly to a temporary or permanent loss of the probationary licence.
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How long does the probationary period last?
You hold the licence on probation for 3 years. Rumour has it that you drive with a «green L». That is nonsense which stubbornly refuses to die. There is no «green L».
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How much does the licence on probation cost?
The licence on probation costs between 35 and 60 francs, depending on the canton.
How much does it cost to get a driving licence in Switzerland? We answer that question in the blog article «Driving licence cost overview»
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May you go abroad with a probationary licence?
Yes, you may drive a car abroad with a licence on probation. It counts as a full driving entitlement.
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Licence on probation and alcohol or intoxicating drugs
For young and new drivers the zero-tolerance principle applies to driving under the influence of alcohol. So not a single drop of alcohol whenever you are at the wheel with a licence on probation.
In law the 0.1 per mille limit applies. But that still means no alcohol at the wheel, and has more to do with the way it is measured. Since 1 October 2016 a new measuring method has been used for alcohol checks. It does not establish the level of alcohol in your blood but how much alcohol is detectable in your breath.
ASTRA explains here what this new measuring method means.
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What happens if you drive after drinking anyway and are stopped by the police?
The penalty is deliberately higher and the consequences considerably harsher than for people who no longer hold the temporary licence. If a new driver is caught with alcohol at the wheel, the probationary period is extended by one year. If it is a repeat offence, the licence is taken away completely and lapses. Only after a waiting period of at least one year and with a traffic psychology assessment can a new driving entitlement be applied for. You can find more on this under the heading of offences.
As soon as you hold the unlimited licence, the regular tolerance of 0.5 per mille applies.
Good to know: cannabidiol (CBD) has for some time been sold as a tobacco substitute in Switzerland too. The legal grass, in cigarettes, oils or as flowers, does not get you high but relaxes you. The THC content of the products is below 1 per cent, which is why they can be bought freely from the age of 18. Ever since, one question keeps coming up: may I use CBD and still drive a vehicle? Yes and no: if THC is detected in a drugs test after an accident, you will find yourself facing a recourse claim from your insurer. Quite apart from losing your licence for at least three months. Important: THC can also be detected in quantities you do not feel at all yourself. The fact that legal CBD cigarettes caused the THC reading makes no difference. The police can verify CBD that has been consumed as such with a test. But if you show more than 1.5 micrograms of THC per litre of blood, you will have problems all the same.
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Licence on probation – offences
There is an extensive catalogue of traffic rules whose breach is dealt with under the on-the-spot fine procedure, that is, with fines of up to 300 francs. Paying the fine «settles» the one-off breach; the licence on probation is not put at risk by it, not even in a repeat case.
If, however, traffic rules are broken to an extent that cannot be dealt with as an on-the-spot fine, then under the Road Traffic Act there is a minor, medium or serious offence. That includes, for example, driving while intoxicated or grossly disregarding the speed limit. Such offences result in criminal sanctions, such as a fine, a monetary penalty or a custodial sentence, as well as administrative sanctions, such as a warning or even a withdrawal of the licence.
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Driving too fast on a licence on probation
If you are caught in a speed check and «flashed» while holding the temporary licence, you do not lose it straight away. That depends on the location and on how far over the limit you were.
The scenarios that can lead to a withdrawal are very complex and depend on the circumstances at the scene. Broadly speaking, it can be predicted that the licence on probation is annulled in the following situations:
- If a warning has already been issued in the last two years and you were flashed outside a built-up area at 21-25 km/h over the limit, or were under the influence of alcohol up to 0.79 per mille. That counts as a minor breach of the traffic rules.
- In the case of a medium breach of the traffic rules. So for example 26-29 km/h too fast outside a built-up area, or intoxicated up to 0.79 per mille, in combination with further minor breaches.
- When a serious breach of the traffic rules occurs: driving despite a withdrawn licence, failing to stop after an accident, or being flashed at more than 30 km/h over the limit outside a built-up area.
You will find more information about licence withdrawal on the website of the canton of Zurich or at https://www.fuehrerausweisentzug.ch/.
Important to know: the offences described above are a tiny extract. We therefore strongly recommend consulting the relevant websites. It is worth gathering more precise information about licence withdrawal.
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Withdrawal of a licence on probation
Withdrawal of the driving entitlement covers every category, including subcategories and special categories. Exceptions are made if the person concerned can give sufficient assurance that they will commit no further offences when driving vehicles in future. That applies exclusively to special categories.
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After a licence on probation is withdrawn
A new Lernfahrausweis can be applied for after a period of one year at the earliest. And only if a traffic psychology assessment confirms fitness to drive. The person concerned has to contact a recognised traffic psychology centre themselves and arrange, at their own expense, for an examination and the preparation of an assessment. The assessment must be no more than 3 months old. After passing the practical driving test again, a new licence on probation is issued.
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Third-party insurance for young and new drivers
It happens quickly. A brief moment of inattention. Misjudging the distance to the next car while pulling out of a parking space, or getting irritated in a traffic jam and moving off too early. In these situations the third-party insurance, which is compulsory for every driver in Switzerland, comes into play. It is needed whenever other road users or vehicles suffer damage through your actions. It even covers any loss of earnings by the injured party, as long as that loss can be connected to the accident. The third-party insurance does not, however, cover damage to you or to your vehicle.
For new and young drivers, a particular excess applies under the third-party insurance. It breaks down as follows:
- Under 25 years old: 1’000 francs
- Over 25 but holding the licence for less than two years: 500 francs
Important to know: the third-party insurance does not cover damage you caused without a valid driving entitlement. Insurance is one of three things a first car needs before the first drive; the second is the Swiss vignette – whether you need one, and E-Vignette or sticker, five questions answer in two seconds.
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WAB course or 2-phase course
You have to complete the 7-hour WAB course within the first 12 months of passing the practical driving test and receiving your provisional licence. Attending on time is your own responsibility. There is no summons.
The WAB course article gives you the details.
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By when do I have to complete the WAB course?
Since 1 January 2020 there has been only one further training course day (WAB 2.0). But it has to be attended within one year of receiving your licence on probation. If you do not complete the compulsory course within that period and are stopped in a traffic check, you have to expect a fine of 300 francs.
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Forgetting the WAB course
It is easy to forget the WAB course. So have a reminder sent to you. If it still happens that you do not get this course day behind you in time, you lose your driving entitlement. Your temporary licence is taken from you. You can apply to the responsible vehicle licensing office for a three-month extension, but only if you can produce a booking confirmation from a recognised course organisation. They will then issue you a driving entitlement limited to the course day.
You will find further important information in the WAB course article.
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Requesting the full, unlimited licence
If you completed the WAB course within the prescribed period, the full, unlimited licence is sent to you automatically by post 20 days before your licence on probation expires. In most cantons you no longer have to send in the course confirmation yourself. But do check with the Strassenverkehrsamt of the canton you live in. If a new photo is required for the unlimited licence, you have to send it in together with a corresponding letter 2 months before the probationary licence expires.
We have put together a detailed checklist for the road to your driving licence in the blog article «Detailed driving licence checklist».