Lernfahrausweis (learner’s permit) applied for, theory test passed, driving learnt, practical driving test mastered, WAB-Kurs (the compulsory follow-up training day) completed in time and three years on the road with the probationary licence behind you – all done! Now comes the definitive licence.
Everything else about the road to a driving licence.
01
Do I have to apply for the unlimited driving licence?
You completed your Weiterausbildungskurs (WAB, the compulsory follow-up training) within the first 12 months of receiving your probationary licence. As a rule the definitive licence is then sent to you by post, though no earlier than one month before the probationary one expires. There are still a few cantons, however, where you have to send the WAB course confirmation to the Strassenverkehrsamt (cantonal road traffic office) of your canton of residence yourself. So find out in good time, and ask as well whether a new passport photo is needed for the definitive licence.
02
What does the definitive driving licence cost?
For the administrative work the road traffic offices usually charge around 50 francs. You receive the bill together with the definitive licence.
A full breakdown of the costs can be found in the article Driving licence cost overview.
03
Which vehicles may I drive with the definitive category B licence?
With a category B licence you may drive motor cars and three-wheeled motor vehicles in Switzerland with a total weight of no more than 3500 kg. At the same time these vehicles may not have more than 8 seats apart from the driver’s seat.
You may tow a trailer with a total weight of at most 750kg, provided the combination (towing vehicle and trailer) does not exceed a total weight of 3500 kg.
Additional entitlements: categories B1, F, G, M (overview of the categories in Switzerland)
04
How much alcohol may I drink?
With the unlimited driving licence you may drive in Switzerland with a breath or blood alcohol level of at most 0.5 per mille (0.25mg/l). You can reach that level after a single glass of beer (3dl)!
If you are stopped with a higher blood alcohol level, the offence is divided into three degrees of severity:
1. From 0.5 to 0.75 per mille: You must expect a heavy fine and/or a formal warning if you drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.5 to 0.75 per mille (or 0.25 to 0.39 mg/l) and are stopped.
2. If you breach the traffic regulations with 0.5 to 0.75 per mille, you must expect your licence to be withdrawn for at least one month, a heavy financial penalty and, depending on the seriousness of the breach, a custodial sentence of up to 3 years. The financial penalty is set according to your means.
3. 0.8 per mille and above: Your licence is taken from you on the spot for at least 3 months. A heavy fine is imposed as well, again based on your financial circumstances. On top of that you face a custodial sentence of up to 3 years, suspended or not. This offence is also entered in your criminal record and remains visible on every extract from it for a long time. Any business activity, job application or tenancy application becomes considerably harder as a result.
For a repeat offence the penalty is increased markedly and the minimum period for which your licence is withdrawn is extended painfully. In the case of a so-called Sicherungsentzug (withdrawal on safety grounds) it is even extended indefinitely.
Important: a passenger must also expect criminal consequences if they knowingly let you drive a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
On the TCS website you will find detailed information about drink-driving. Elsewhere in Europe in particular the limits vary widely, especially for so-called new drivers:
05
What consequences must I expect if I break the rules?
The Road Traffic Act divides the seriousness of an offence into five degrees:
1. Very minor offence: for example, if while parking you cause slight damage (a small dent, a scratch, damaged paintwork and so on) to another vehicle and leave your contact details (name and telephone number) on a note under the windscreen wiper or inform the police. You need expect no penalty or legal consequences.
Careful: if you leave no contact details and simply drive off, you are committing a hit-and-run. That is treated as a serious offence.
2. Trivial offence: a small speeding offence, a parking fine or driving without a seatbelt meets the definition of a fixed-penalty offence and is punished with a fine.
3. Minor offence (LW, leichte Widerhandlung): moderate speeding or a blood alcohol level that is too high:
In built-up areas: 16 km/h to 20 km/h
Outside built-up areas: 26 km/h to 29 km/h
Motorway: 31 km/h to 34 km/h
Alcohol: 0.5 to 0.79 per mille
Minor offences are also called Übertretungen (contraventions) and lead to administrative proceedings or measures (an administrative procedure, a formal warning and/or withdrawal of the licence).
As a rule criminal proceedings are opened alongside them, which can bring income-based financial penalties, procedural costs, further fees and even a custodial sentence.
Important: two minor offences are combined into one moderately serious one (2x LW = 1x MW), for example speeding while under the influence of alcohol (0.5-0.79 per mille).
4. Moderately serious offences (MW, mittelschwere Widerhandlung) count in criminal law as Vergehen (misdemeanours), for example more serious speeding.
In built-up areas: 21 km/h to 24 km/h
Outside built-up areas: 26 km/h to 29 km/h
Motorway: 31 km/h to 34 km/h
Alcohol: 0.8 per mille
As an administrative measure you have to hand in your licence for at least one month; as a criminal measure an income-based financial penalty is imposed on you. You also have to cover the procedural costs and any further fees.
5. Serious offence (SW, schwere Widerhandlung): in criminal law this counts as a Vergehen (misdemeanour), for example grave speeding.
In built-up areas: 25 km/h and more
Outside built-up areas: 30 km/h and more
Motorway: 35 km/h and more
Alcohol: 0.8 per mille and more
Drugs: zero tolerance
As an administrative measure you have to hand in your licence for at least 3 months. The criminal measure provides for a custodial sentence and a financial penalty. The procedural costs and all fees arising have to be paid by you as well.
If within the following 10 years you commit another offence, from minor to serious, you are a repeat offender. The penalty is then calculated according to the so-called cascade system: you have to hand in your licence for at least twice as long as for the first offence. For repeated serious offences (Raser offences, i.e. extreme speeding) the vehicle involved is confiscated in most cases under the new law. If there are three serious or four moderately serious offences within a period of 10 years, your licence is withdrawn for an indefinite time, but for at least two years.
Your licence is kept for good if you get it back after a withdrawal and then commit another serious offence.
An overview and more detailed information about offences and their consequences can be found at the cantonal road traffic office.
06
What is an international driving permit for?
In many countries your credit-card-format licence is perfectly sufficient and applying for an international driving permit is unnecessary. A few states, however, still ask for this document. The international permit is valid for three years. If you hold a probationary licence, the international one is issued only up to the expiry date of the probationary one. It is not possible to extend the international permit; if you need one again you have to apply for a new one. The international permit is issued by the Strassenverkehrsamt (cantonal road traffic office) of your canton of residence, and the cost is between 15 and 50 francs.
The international permit is valid only in combination with your Swiss licence. So you have to take both with you. If you drive abroad in your own car, it is already covered for third-party damage by your Swiss insurance.
International rules and laws change constantly. We therefore strongly recommend that you check the current rules with the consulate of your destination country before you leave, so that you know which documents and permits you need. Find out about the applicable traffic rules in the country you are travelling to as well, so that you are safe and within the law everywhere:
07
Where do I need an international driving permit?
You can generally assume that the Swiss driving licence is recognised in all EU countries and the EFTA states, as well as in Andorra, Aruba, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Ukraine and Turkey. So you do not need an international permit there.
In a few Eastern European states holding an international permit is at least strongly recommended, if not required by the authorities. These are, for example, Russia and Belarus, Ukraine and Albania. Quite apart from the legal rules, many car hire firms ask for an international permit. To save yourself an unnecessary trip to the authorities, we strongly advise you to check which travel documents are required with a travel agency, the embassy or consulate, or the TCS before you set off.
08
How long does the application take to process?
If you apply for an international driving permit in writing and by post, check the processing time with the Strassenverkehrsamt of your canton of residence. Look at any online services offered by the Motorfahrzeugkontrolle (MFK, the cantonal vehicle licensing office) as well.
If you do not have much time, you can simply apply for an international permit over the counter at the MFK with your original driving licence and a passport photo. That way you can take it with you straight away.
09
High road safety in Switzerland
The number of accidents and of people killed in them falls year by year in Switzerland. Per million inhabitants there are «only» about 30 deaths a year. That statistic puts Switzerland among the very best in international comparison.
10
How much longer is the old blue driving licence valid?
The old blue driving licence remains valid in Switzerland until 31.1.2024. From that date every driver has to carry a licence in credit-card format. You can apply for the exchange at the Strassenverkehrsamt of your canton of residence.
For that you need a current, colour passport photo, the original «blue» driving licence, a copy of your ID card or passport (front and back), and the application or exchange form. That form and further information can be found on the website of the responsible Strassenverkehrsamt.