Practical driving test in Switzerland: what to expect

The practical driving test for a car (category B) lasts at least 60 minutes, of which at least 45 in public traffic. You are tested by traffic examiners (Verkehrsexpertinnen and Verkehrsexperten) of the cantonal road traffic office, on all types of road where possible. The ordinance names no number of mistakes; every traffic situation is assessed. The test costs 120 to 140 francs depending on the canton; St. Gallen charges 150 francs. In 2025, 67.0 per cent of category B tests were passed.

As at 7 October 2026: every statement on this page was checked against its source that day. Until then this page said the test lasts around 50 minutes; the ordinance says at least 60. Fees and deadlines are set by your canton.

Registration and cost

How much does the practical driving test cost?

Between 120 and 140 francs, depending on the canton you take it in; St. Gallen is above that with 150 francs. What you pay in the end also depends on how many attempts you need. The fee in the five cantons with their own test page on todrive.ch: Aargau 125, Lucerne 130, Bern 132, Zurich 134, Basel 138 francs (Aargau, Lucerne, Bern, Zurich, Basel, in German).

If you cancel too late or do not turn up, you pay the full fee. The canton sets the deadline: 10 working days in Zurich, one week in Lucerne, where every rescheduling also costs a fee.

When may you take the practical test?

It is the last step before the probationary licence. You can only register once you have attended the traffic course (Verkehrskundeunterricht). If you got your learner's permit before your 20th birthday, you may only take the test twelve months later. All steps from eye test to WAB course: the road to the licence (in German).

Can I register myself?

It depends on the canton. You register with the road traffic office of your canton of residence. In Zurich you book online yourself; in Aargau you or your driving school book online; in Thurgau your driving instructor registers you for the car test.

What do I have to bring?

A valid identity document (passport, identity card or foreign national's permit), your learner's permit (Lernfahrausweis), your driving licence if you already hold another category, and the vehicle registration document (Fahrzeugausweis) of the test car. In Aargau the learner's permit must be the original; the electronic one is not enough.

Which car do I take the test in? Can I use my own?

Many take the test in their driving school's car, which they know from their lessons. In Aargau, for example, the office provides no test cars. Your own car is fine if it meets the conditions (Vaud): in Zurich it must be roadworthy and registered, and a rental car needs a written authorisation. Since 1 July 2025 driver assistance systems have been part of the test in Zurich.

How the test runs, and how long it takes

Last lesson. Many take one more lesson right before the test: get a feel for the car, go over a point or two, ask your instructor the last questions.
Greeting. The examiner greets you; the greeting already counts towards the test time. Have your ID, learner's permit and vehicle registration document ready.
Before you drive off. You show that you can prepare for safe driving: you spot-check tyres, brakes, steering and lights and adjust mirrors, seat belt and head restraints. If you do not understand how directions will be given, ask now.
The test drive. Outside built-up areas, on motorways and in built-up areas, as far as the area allows. Manoeuvres such as parking or turning may be tested on a special test ground. At the end you park the car and secure it.
The result. You learn at the test location whether you passed. In Zurich, for example, you may drive straight away.

How long does the practical driving test take?

For category B at least 60 minutes including greeting and farewell, of which at least 45 minutes in public traffic. Vaud states one hour.

Who conducts the test?

Traffic examiners of the road traffic office. The examiner must feel safe throughout the test and decides after assessing every traffic situation.

How many technical questions does the examiner ask?

The ordinance names no number. It requires you to spot-check the condition of tyres, brakes, steering and lights. To prepare: warning lights in the car and the minimum tread depth of a tyre.

Does the test take place in any weather?

As a rule, yes: Bern conducts it in any weather, and in Lucerne it generally takes place in any weather. In snow, St. Gallen asks you to contact the test centre.

What is assessed, and which mistakes fail you

Whether you can move a car safely in traffic. The examiner assesses every traffic situation, must feel safe during the whole drive and pays particular attention to whether you drive defensively, considerately and in an environmentally friendly way: observation and mirrors, adapting your speed, lane choice, turning, right of way (also on mountain roads), and manoeuvres such as parking, turning and reversing.

How many mistakes may I make?

The ordinance names no number, and there are no error points as in the theory test. A stalled engine endangers nobody. If the examiner points out a mistake, correct it at once; making the same mistake again and again spoils the picture.

Driving errors that cost you the test

If you directly endanger someone, the test is stopped early; whether it is driven to the end anyway is up to the examiner, who must feel safe for the whole drive. It is over, for example, if you cause an accident, endanger someone whether or not the examiner had to intervene (for instance with an emergency stop), run a red light, take someone's right of way, cross a solid safety line, tailgate others, speed repeatedly or clearly, pick up your phone, or turn up under the influence of alcohol, drugs or sedatives: then you are unfit to drive.

Can the examiner decide freely whether I have passed?

Not at will. What is assessed and when a test can be stopped is set out in Annex 12 of the ordinance on admission to road traffic (VZV); within that, the examiner decides on what they saw in each traffic situation.

How high is the failure rate?

In 2025, 67.0 per cent of category B practical tests were passed, about two thirds; every year since 2021 the rate has been between 66.5 and 67.5 per cent. The road traffic offices counted 87’182 passed category B tests in 2025. So the failure rate is about one in three: in 2025, 33.0 per cent of tests were not passed.

Tips, and tips against nerves

Passing first time is the goal. What counts for the examiner is the overall impression: a lack of routine or nerves alone will not make you fail, but your effort to drive safely should show. Drive as you did in your last lesson.

Mirrors: check both side mirrors and the rear-view mirror at short intervals.
Slow where it gets tight: blind bend, children at the roadside, narrowing road: slow down. Up to which speed a car still stops in front of a child you can try in the simulator.
Reversing: one of the trickier manoeuvres because of the poor view. Slowly and with concentration; speed does not matter.
Indicating: rather early than at the last moment, and rather once too often than once too few.
Look first, then steer: look, indicate, change lanes, as in your lessons. You can practise overtaking on the motorway in the 3D trainer.
Stalled the engine: it happens, even twice. Breathe, check first gear, pull away normally.
Preparation: know the procedure, read how it went for others, and come rested.
Mistakes happen: the test is only over when the examiner says so. Concentrate on the next junction.
A small audience: tell your family and close friends the date, not everyone.
No embarrassment: about one test in three is not passed. A few practice drives, then the second attempt.
No sedatives: they make you tired and slow your reactions. Anyone unfit to drive because of medication must not drive, the test included.

Two reports on todrive.ch (in German): a passed category B test and Helena's failed one. How to prepare: 4 tips for the driving test.

Not passed

That is how about one test in three ends. Ask at the end what went wrong: that is what you practise until the next date. After each failed attempt something different applies (VZV Art. 23, ch.ch):

1st attempt not passed

The canton decides when you may sit it again: usually after one month, in Zurich after at least 10 working days; in Vaud you can re-register immediately.

2nd attempt not passed

For the third you need a certificate from a driving instructor that your training is complete; in Zurich your driving school confirms this in writing.

3rd attempt not passed

Before the fourth, a test checks your fitness to drive (VZV Art. 23 para. 2): in Zurich a computer-based aptitude test (visual perception, attention, concentration, reaction, eye-hand coordination, resilience), in St. Gallen a traffic-psychological examination. If it is negative, your learner's permit loses its validity, and for a further test you need a positive traffic-psychological report.

4th attempt not passed

What applies then differs by canton. In Zurich your learner's permit is withdrawn, and a new application is possible only after 2 years; in Aargau a further test is possible with a positive traffic-psychological report.

At the aptitude test: bring your glasses or contact lenses if you need them; no alcohol, no drugs, no sedatives (SVG Art. 31); be on time; if you are ill or overtired, better ask for a new date.

Passed

You may drive alone. In Zurich, for example, straight after the test, with the signed learner's permit or a test certificate. The licence card arrives by post, in Zug within 10 days by A-Post.

Driving abroad: wait until you hold the probationary licence, because the learner's permit is only valid in Switzerland. The licence is probationary for 3 years; what applies in that time: probationary driving licence (in German). After the test comes the one-day WAB course, in Zurich within 12 months.