On the road to the unlimited, full driving licence, the further training course (WAB) is one of the last obligations you have to take on. You have a whole year for it after receiving your probationary licence. What is expected of you is attendance at the 7-hour day course – and also signing up for it in good time. Nobody sends you a summons.
So have a timely reminder email sent to you by us.
01
What is the WAB course?
WAB stands for Weiterausbildung, further training. It naturally follows on from the basic training you completed when you received your provisional licence. The WAB day course, colloquially also called the «two-phase course», is the final chapter of driver training for the category B licence. So if you have got this far, you have almost made it. The declared aim of the course is to compress several years’ worth of driving experience, so to speak, into fast forward. And to do so within a single course day. You learn to recognise dangerous traffic situations in advance and to avoid them accordingly. At the same time you increase your safety on the road and practise judging yourself and your vehicle better.
02
How much does the WAB course cost?
The costs vary by canton and provider. Reckon on 340 – 510 francs.
Tip: course days during the week are generally cheaper than at the weekend.
You will find a detailed cost overview for the driving licence in the blog article «Driving licence cost overview»
03
By when do I have to complete the WAB course?
You have to complete a WAB course within the first twelve months of receiving your provisional licence. This legal provision has applied since 1 January 2020, when the course length was also reduced from two days to one.
If you have not completed the 2-phase course within the prescribed period and are stopped in a traffic check after the «expiry date», you have to expect a substantial fine or the withdrawal of your licence. That varies from canton to canton.
04
Can I come in my own car?
You generally come to the WAB course in your own or a borrowed vehicle. If none is available among the people you know, most course organisers can provide one. Check beforehand whether that involves an extra charge.
What kind of car? There are no rules about the type of vehicle. Saloon, estate, SUV or convertible, automatic or manual, it makes no difference. But it goes without saying that a private car has to be in a faultless, roadworthy condition, and that the organisers keep an eye on that.
I do not have a car: most course organisers will provide you with a vehicle on request. Depending on the provider the cost comes to around 30 francs. Find out before you book a course.
Will my car be damaged? No! Of course your car will not be damaged by the manoeuvres. There is plenty of space at the venues and on the courses, the organisers and instructors know their trade, and on top of that your car is insured during the course.
05
I forgot the WAB course
Every new driver in Switzerland has to attend the WAB course within the first twelve months of receiving their probationary licence. You do not get any request or reminder from the authorities. So it is easy for the course to slip your mind.
Your forgetfulness does not necessarily have to have costly consequences. But it can, if you let the one-year deadline pass and are then stopped by the police. In that case you have to expect a fine of 300 francs.
If you let that extension pass too without completing a WAB course, your permission to drive lapses entirely. From that point on you may no longer drive.
To get your licence back you have to take the WAB course after all. With a course booking confirmation you can apply to the Strassenverkehrsamt of the canton you live in for a one-day driving permit. That lets you complete the course. The cost of this special permit comes to around 30 francs depending on the canton.
06
Why does the WAB course exist?
The joy of a freshly acquired licence is great in every new driver. The experience behind the wheel, however, is still small. Statistics show that new drivers are involved in accidents more often than average. The further training course was introduced in order to bring this high accident rate down and to encourage newly qualified drivers towards a safe and environmentally friendly driving style.
07
What do I learn in the WAB course?
The legislator prescribes to course providers which content they have to convey to participants. In particular that means ecological, energy-efficient driving and the emergency stop. But it leaves organisers a free hand in how they generally translate the subject of accident factors into course practice.
08
Is the number of participants limited?
Yes, the maximum number of people is capped at 12.
09
What are the aims of the WAB course?
The WAB course is meant to give young and new drivers the ability to recognise dangerous situations in traffic early and to react accordingly. It is also meant to stimulate understanding and awareness of your own driving style and thereby improve your general road sense. A more considerate and more conscious driving style promotes safer and more environmentally friendly road traffic.
10
Requesting the full licence
You have completed the course within the first twelve months, on time. The full licence in credit card format is then sent to you automatically by post, around one month before your provisional licence expires. In most cantons you no longer have to send in the WAB course confirmation yourself. But do check beforehand with the Strassenverkehrsamt of the canton you live in.
In a few cantons a new passport photo is required for the unlimited, full licence. Send it to the Strassenverkehrsamt by post with the corresponding letter two months before expiry, and find out what applies in your case!
You will find more information about the full licence here.
11
WAB course content
The core task of the further training course is to increase safety on the road. It is meant to teach you effectively and lastingly how to recognise and avoid potentially dangerous situations in advance. You will learn to judge yourself and your car better, with the aim of minimising your accident risk. In a controlled environment you carry out correct emergency stops in deliberately provoked extreme situations, put your vehicle into a skid and drive it on simulated ice and snow.
The following video gives you an impression of it. You will find a second video here.
12
What are the aims of the WAB course?
The WAB course is meant to give young and new drivers the ability to recognise dangerous situations in traffic early and to react accordingly. It is also meant to stimulate understanding and awareness of your own driving style and thereby improve your general road sense. A more considerate and more conscious driving style promotes safer and more environmentally friendly road traffic.
13
Requesting the full licence
You have completed the course within the first twelve months, on time. The full licence in credit card format is then sent to you automatically by post, around one month before your provisional licence expires. In most cantons you no longer have to send in the WAB course confirmation yourself. But do check beforehand with the Strassenverkehrsamt of the canton you live in.
In a few cantons a new passport photo is required for the unlimited, full licence. Send it to the Strassenverkehrsamt by post with the corresponding letter two months before expiry, and find out what applies in your case!
14
WAB course content
The core task of the further training course is to increase safety on the road. It is meant to teach you effectively and lastingly how to recognise and avoid potentially dangerous situations in advance. You will learn to judge yourself and your car better, with the aim of minimising your accident risk. In a controlled environment you carry out correct emergency stops in deliberately provoked extreme situations, put your vehicle into a skid and drive it on simulated ice and snow.
The following video gives you an impression of it. You will find another video here.
15
How do I get something to eat on the course day?
The course day is not a fasting day: depending on the organiser, lunch is included in the course fee. But it can also be that you have to sort out your own food. You are entitled to a reasonable break for that. Ask your course organiser!
16
I have lost my WAB attendance confirmation
It is easy to lose your attendance confirmation. Not a disaster. In many cantons you get your full licence directly from the Strassenverkehrsamt as soon as the course organiser has reported your attendance.
But if you live in a canton where you have to send in the course confirmation by post one month before your probationary licence expires, you can ask the course provider for a copy. They may charge a handling fee for it.
17
Can I fail the WAB course?
No. The further training course counts as passed as long as you were present the whole time. Unless you were excluded by the organiser and therefore received no confirmation. In that case you have to attend another WAB course. Even with little driving experience you will be able to complete the course successfully.
18
Where are WAB courses held?
On this website you will find all the course organisers for WAB courses in Switzerland.
19
Is there still a WAB course 1 and 2?
Since 01.01.2020 there has been only one WAB course day and therefore no two courses any more.
Still have questions? You will find further information on the website of the two-phase training.