I'm in the process of converting my foregin license to a Swiss one. I filled in the form, got an eye test done for 10 francs at the local Opticians and sent it in to the authorities. I registered just within the 12 month timeframe and am pretty comfortable I'll do well at the test.

Since my previous license is from a non-EU country that requires a driving test, I've received a letter back from them with an invite to a Kontrolfahrt - control driving test.

Thanks to lots of advice on this thread, I registered for a few driving lessons. At 90 francs per hour, it doesn't come cheap but in my point of view, well worth it. If you fail the kontrolfahrt, you'd have to do the entire Swiss license process from the beginning. And that is expensive, tedious, long and frustrating.

I had my first driving lesson this morning. I've been driving for almost 20 years and have even been involved in motorsports back home. Driving, I have no problem with but the rules here are quite different to what I'm used to. I would strongly suggest doing a couple of lessons with an instructor. I have another double lesson coming up on Tuesday 16th and once that is complete, we'll see how many more lessons I require.

I'm using a very good instructor, straightforward, honest and pleasant. Importantly, she speaks English! If anyone is looking for an English speaking instructor based around Uster, PM me and I'll send you her details. Uster is only an 11 minute train (S5 or S15) from Stadelhofen or 13 mins from HB and a pleasant place to take lessons, far less stressful than Zürich city or Winterthur.

Furthermore, she changed the location of my driving test to Hinwil as she says it's easier there and we'll be doing a mock test there with her. So if you're supposed to do your test in Zürich city or Winterthur, I'd suggest you change it.

Also, I'd like to clear something here: if you have an existing license that you are converting to a Swiss one, you are allowed to drive an automatic durnig your driving test. It'll not restrict you from driving manual cars in the future and you'll receive a full license. It's only if you are a beginner and have no existing license, if you learn with an automatic, you are only permitted to drive an automatic.

I drove a manual today but will be using an automatic for my driving test, it's easier to focus on the rules. Apparently coasting in neutral is frowned upon. If I'm coming up to a corner or a stop, I normally always coast for the last 20 metres and she didn't like that. She says it shows a lack of control to the instructors. To me, it saves on gas, but not to her. Automatic it is then!

Send me a PM for further details. If you mention my name to her, I get a free lesson from her ! Since I'm unemployed, it'll help save on costs and I'd really appreciate it. And if you recommend her, so will you.

Have a great day people.

I was told that coasting in neutral (namely going down, mountain passes) is illegal in Switzerland.

can anyone verify?

Well that is what she told me. She says you don't have control of the car when it's in neutral, and going downhill the car accelerates on it's own and when you apply the break thereafter, it is too forceful and scary . You would fail a test based on this.

I do agree that the control is better when in gear but I drive well and it's really hard to change driving style after all these years!

It's illegal in the UK too. A vehicle should only be in neutral when stationary and the handbrake is on (first)...

No doubt a high price, but perhaps cheap compared to the results of not knowing the rules? If only you'd said it could be ordered from amazon.co.uk.

I will be on the lookout for it none the less...

Endorsements means what you are allowed to drive eg. motorcycle, truck etc.

Took my 2nd driving lesson today. I drove on the highway to Zürich and drove around Zürich city centre, Oerlikon and Wallisellen. It was weird constantly having to look out for Trams and the millions of traffic signs but it went well.

Instructor says I'm ready for the test! I'll do 1 more lesson just to get more comfortable and then do the test. Really happy. Great instructor.

Why would it save gas? In neutral, base rev has to be maintained, in gear the ECU can completely cut off fuel supply.

On topic:
Vision check for driving license costs CHF 10.50 at Fielmann in Zürich (Bahnhofstrasse 83, 1 minute on foot from HB)
The photo machine takes acceptable photos for CHF 8 in the basement of SVA Zürich.

These happened yesterday. (my 12-month expires today )

My wife has successfully completed the first part of the probation period test for new licence holders. It was quite fun and involved driving on a skid pan, brake testing and watching gory videos of drink driving accidents. totl cost was around Fr.350. (sha was incidentally the oldest course participant at 32!! The others being in their late teens / early twenties)

She has her second one on Wednesday and is worried that it might be different / harder and doesn't know what to expect. I've tried telling her that she'll be fine but she wants me to ask on this forum if anyone has completed the second part and what did it involve?

Hoping you forummers can help.
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I just passed my Driving Test !!!

Am really happy. I've been driving for years and even rallyed previously so am very comfortable with driving both on the left and right hand side of the roads but I was quite nervous about this test. Since I come from a country whose license cannot simply be converted to a Swiss one, I had to do a Kontrolfahrt/driving test.

Thanks to great suggestions on this thread, I took a few driving lessons from a brilliant instructor and in 5 lessons, she taught me practically everything there was to know in order to drive in CH. Had I not have taken the lessons, I'm pretty sure I'd have failed.

Looking over my shoulder every time I turn or change lanes was new to me as was 'rechtsvortritt'. The difference between neben/haupt and Auto strassen was also informative & beneficial. Reading the thousands of signs was also something I found quite difficult.

All in all, I would highly recommend taking a few lessons if you're thinking of converting your license and need to do a kontrolfahrt. The tester was very tough and I ended up driving for 50mins rather than the normal 30 min test. I guess he was trying to push me make an error but it went very smoothly. It was funny to be told, "erlaubt geschwindigkeit hier ist 80, nicht 70, schneller!"

I did my test in Hinwil as my instructor said it's easier than doing it in Zürich city, what with all the Trams, Buses and traffic.

If you're looking for a really good instructor who speaks English and is a great person, pm me, I have the right girl for you.

Looking forward to receiving my credit card sized license in the post !

Congratulations Me Myself & I

Will you also have to do the 2 Phase course within the next three years?
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Hello,
Best option is to go to << Service d'automobile and navigation >> from where you can the exact information.

Best wishes

Are there any special signs / plates / stickers for beginners in Switzerland?

In Ukraine all new drivers are limited to 70 km/h during their first 2 years of driving and should bear (70) sign on rear of a car. Is there something like this in Swiss?

Blue L plates for learners but once th test is passed they don't have to be displayed any more. New drivers are on 2 years probation though - during which time an offence can lead to a loss of license and/or a retest.

Hi,
I am from Zurich.
Is it necessary that I will have to visit the Office de Circulation in Zurich or I can opt for Friborg or any other location too?

A

Its actually 3 years Swissbob, during which time you have to complete two more courses in driving in difficult conditions (about 400chf each). I've done the first one but will hold off on the second for a while.

Hi Flashman, I have no idea what you're referring to!
I've received a proper Swiss license without expiry date and nowhere has it told me that I need to do further testing.

hey there Me, Myself and I,

If your license was a conversion then you're fine. If you had to do a test from the beginning (theory, first aid, vehrkehrskunde etc) then you have to do two more days courses within the first three years of having past your test. If your license doesn't have an expiry then looks like your fine.

In addition i if you're just getting an additional category you are exempt. Theory tests taken within 5 years don't need to be repeated either. (Eg you've had Car and want to add motorbike or vice versa).

Bear in mind if you have C, C1, D, D1 then you need a medical every 5 years until 50, every 3 years thereafter, every 2 years after 70. (After 50 can't be done anymore by your normal doc). Cost with most Docs 100CHF non-refundable from Health insurance as not an illness.

I signed a form to give up the "professional" categories when I switched from my California license (category C and M1). No medical check was required.

The Swiss license has A B D1 BE D1E and F. Interesting, because D1 sure does seem like a professional category...