Hey,

I have another question related to this thread:

How can I get a motorcycle licence?

I have been in Zürich for two and a half months now and have a EU drivers licence (from DK) for a normal car.

Is is possible just to by a bike and get one of those blue "L" to put on the bike and drive around untill I think I could pass a test? Or do I have to get traning from an instructor? I have driven a motorcross bike so I know a little about how to handle a bike.

Regards,
Jakob

Hi Jakob
I've split your question from the thread in which it was posted - in my opinion, it deserves a whole new thread.

My advice:
convert your EU licence ASAP; as summarised in the other thread, for you it is straightforwards - get the form for the licence, get a form for a learner licence, get the eye test and stamp from any optician, get a colour photo, turn up at the STVA and submit the forms. You'll get a photocard licence and a paper learner licence in the post a few days later.

Don't forget to take passport, permit and something confirming your address, just in case.

Next ..... learn to ride a bike.
You will have to:

• do a
• Grundschulung - 4 hours in a classroom and on private land with cones.
• do 2 x 2 hours accompanied by an instructor
• your licence will then be extended - you get just over a year in total to do the test (form to apply for test comes with the learner licence)

Do you speak German?
Also - I do recommend you do the A licence/test (if you're over 25) so that you're not limited to under 33kw power....

Hi,

Thanks for the very fast response!
I'm 27 and I do not really speak much German, although I understand simple conversation if it is in high german - anyway, I think I will contact one of those english speaking instuctors..

Hi Jakob,

I'm in your very same situation. It's now some time I'm living in Zurich, and I'm also wishing to get a motorcycle driving licence. I already went through the process of exchanging my EU driving licence into a Swiss one, and it was really straightforward. I intend now to extend my licence to be able to drive motorcycles. I was not totally sure what was the procedure to follow, but I had heard some previous instruction was needed. I'm not fluent in German either, so my main concern now is finding an English (or French) speaking instructor. Let me know if you succeed.

Good luck with your driving licence and all the best!!

//Miguel.

My husband is currently learning to ride a bke with an instructor who is based in Oerlikon. He is really good if a bit of a task master but speaks English. If learning in Oerlikon is good for you I'll ask my husband for the details to pass on to you.

Hi,

Oerlikon is actually a very good option for me as it is just in between my work and my appartment. I would really appreciate if you could pass me the instructor's contact details. Thank you in advance!.

Best regards.

//Miguel

Details can be found here: http://www.tramstrasse100.ch/

Good luck people, it's the best feeling in the world to ride a motorbike. And heaven knows you're in the right country for some awesome roads.

When are the Swiss going to convert their licences to EU ones??



JC

See thread on joining the EU No seriously. First of all the EU ones are pretty primitive at best, and they look like crap. The Swiss one is a little better, but not much. But let's not forget that the Swiss only managed credit-card size a couple of years ago, and EU countries only just shifted away from paper not that long before that... Some other countries have been running the card size format for over 20 years.

Since the Swiss license is valid for life - I wouldn't expect a conversion to the EU format anytime soon

Fair enough.. we'll stay with the Halbtax and the Tram...


John

Hi,

I am an Enlish person living is Zurich. I would like to know if it is pssoible for me to take a motorbike driving test over here? can anyone help with info on this?

of course it is. You didn't search did you?

Hi.

I need to get a motorbike licence in Zurich. What are the best cheapest motorrad schule in Zurich where I can get training in English?

Thanks

Hi Barish,

Cheap and best don't often come together - the bike test in Switzerland is pretty tough so I'd recommend going for best rather than cheap. Take a look at the website of the Association of Swiss Motorbike Teachers - you'll find a list of members in Zürich. If I were you, I'd work through the websites (the list isn't that long) and just call the people up and speak to them in English - I once heard my instructor speaking to a potential pupil on the phone in English - he said he offered classes in English, but it was barely comprehensible and very stilted. I won't name names, but he is not on that list. If I remember correctly, the Strassenverkehrsamt recommend the Association's instructors - they certainly have a leaflet about recommended schools in the area you could pick up if you are ever in that part of town.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but good luck and ride safe.

Someone told me that you can ride any size of bike with a car licence and "L" plates while you are learning . Is that correct ?

dave

no - but given certain criteria are fulfilled, you can get a motorbike learner licence and ride an R1 with L-plates (age depends whether restricted).

Hehe, just the bike for a learner

it's actually probably more dangerous in some ways with the restriction installed...

A Gixxer would be worse. But also a Hog could be bad news....IIRC there's a bunch of videos linked from the youtube thread with mishaps. What do I care - they've finally cottoned onto putting youtube into Websense

Has anyone learned to ride a motorbike in the Zurich area in English? I know it wasn't so hard to do it in German (and back then my German was not that good).

Post #7 above has the web address of the instructor my husband uses, instuctor speaks English.