Guide
VKU road-awareness course: cost, duration, when to take it
The Swiss VKU course: 8 hours in 4 blocks, from 2027 before the theory test. Prices at 21 driving schools: CHF 99 to 250, median CHF 190.
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In short
The most important answers in brief
The Verkehrskundeunterricht (VKU; in the ordinance Kurs über Verkehrskunde) is a compulsory course of eight hours with a driving instructor, for licence categories B, A1, A and B1 (VZV Art. 18). There is no test: the instructor confirms that you attended.
Until 31 December 2026: with a learner’s permit (VZV Art. 18 para. 2), so after the theory test. You are admitted to the practical test only with the VKU (VZV Annex 12).
From 1 January 2027: before you register for the theory test, unless you already hold a B, A1, A or B1 licence, and at the earliest six months before the minimum age, so at 16½ for category B (AS 2026 26, VZV Art. 13 para. 1ter and Art. 18 para. 2). If you passed the theory test before 2027 without the VKU, you prove it when you register for the practical test (Art. 151q of the same amendment). Its content then also comes up in the 55 questions of the theory test (asa).
Eight hours in four blocks of two hours. Until the end of 2026 at most two blocks a day are allowed, so the course takes at least two days (ASTRA directive, point 2.2). From 2027 it runs over four days with one block each, a ten-minute break included in every block (VKUV Art. 6). One day is not possible. 16 of the 33 school websites describe the course on two days or evenings of four hours each.
From 2027 the four blocks are: licence and vehicle, responsibility, consideration for others, and roads and defensive driving (VKUV, Annex). Until the end of 2026 the ASTRA framework covers traffic perception, the traffic environment, vehicle dynamics and traffic tactics. At most twelve people take part in a block (VKUV Art. 7).
A certificate for a course completed from 1 January 2021 is valid indefinitely (ASTRA directive, point 3.3; from 2027 VKUV Art. 9). If you already hold a B, A1, A or B1 licence, you do not need the VKU (VZV Art. 18 para. 3).
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Read on
The whole road to your driving licence
First-aid course (Nothelferkurs)
Apply for the learner's permit
Eyesight test
Learning the theory & where to learn it
Theory test
The learner's permit (Lernfahrausweis)
Driving lessons
Private practice drives
VKU course
Practical driving test
Probationary licence
WAB course (further training)
Unrestricted licence
Until 31 December 2026 the road-awareness course (VKU) comes after the theory test, with the learner’s permit (VZV Art. 18 para. 2). From 1 January 2027 it comes before it: anyone registering for the theory test must have attended it (VZV Art. 13 para. 1ter).