Swiss probationary licence: probation period, training day & withdrawal

Short answer — what does the “probationary driving licence” mean in Switzerland?

Anyone in Switzerland who gets a driving licence for a car (category B) or a motorcycle (category A) for the first time receives it first on probation. The Swiss probationary driving licence is valid for three years (SVG Art. 15a). During this time you drive normally, but mistakes have stricter consequences. The essentials in four points:

• Probation period: 3 years from the date the licence is issued.
• Further training: one training day of 7 hours, compulsory within the first 12 months (VZV Art. 27a and 27c).
• Alcohol: the alcohol ban applies to you — in practice 0.1‰ instead of 0.5 (SVG Art. 31 para. 2^bis).
• Mistakes: a withdrawal for a moderately serious or serious offence extends the probation period by one year. The second time, the licence is cancelled.

Only when the three years are up and you have attended the further training do you receive the full driving licence (SVG Art. 15b).

Who does the probationary licence apply to?

Under VZV Art. 24a, the driving licence of categories A and B is issued on probation. You do not get it on probation if you already hold an unrestricted licence of one of these categories — so if you already drive a car unrestricted and later get a motorcycle licence, you do not start a new probation period.

Important for motorcycle riders: subcategories (for example A1) and special categories that you obtain before or during the probation period are limited to the same expiry date as your probationary licence. More on category A1 is in the article A1 licence and theory test.

The route there is always the same: basic theory test, learner permit, learner drives, practical test — and then three years of probation.

How long does the probation period last?

The probation period lasts three years (SVG Art. 15a para. 1). It starts when the probationary licence is issued. The expiry date is on your licence.

It only becomes longer in one case: if your licence is withdrawn for a moderately serious or serious offence. Then the probation period is extended by one year (SVG Art. 15a para. 3). If the withdrawal ends while you are still in the probation period, the new probation period ends one year after the original expiry date. If the withdrawal lasts beyond the probation period, the extra year only starts when you get the licence back (VZV Art. 35).

Further training: the compulsory course in the first 12 months

Since 2020 there is only one further-training day instead of two. The ordinance says:

• Duration: 7 hours in one day (VZV Art. 27a).
• Group: 6 to 12 people, separated by category A or B. If you have both, you choose whether to take part with a motorcycle or a car.
• Vehicle: in principle your own. The course provider can supply a course vehicle.
• Deadline: within 12 months of receiving the probationary licence (VZV Art. 27c).
• Content: recognising and avoiding hazards, environmentally friendly driving — mainly practical (SVG Art. 15a para. 2^bis).

You take the course with a course organiser approved by the canton. The provider sets the price; compare offers in your region. After the course the organiser reports your attendance electronically to the cantonal authority (VZV Art. 27d).

What happens if you miss the deadline? Anyone who does not attend the further training within 12 months risks a fine of up to 300 francs (VZV Art. 148). Exceptions apply if you were objectively prevented — for example because of a licence withdrawal, a training stay abroad or military service as a Durchdiener (continuous service). More important: without the course there is no full licence after three years.

Alcohol ban for new drivers

Holders of the probationary licence are subject to the alcohol ban (SVG Art. 31 para. 2^bis let. f). In practice that means: 0.1‰ blood alcohol or 0.05 mg/l breath alcohol instead of the general 0.5‰. The same applies to learner drivers and their accompanying persons. The details with all limits are in the article Drink-driving limit Switzerland.

Our rule of thumb: if you drive, you drink nothing. Even a breach of the alcohol ban is an offence — and if another minor offence is added, the whole thing already counts as moderately serious (SVG Art. 16b para. 1 let. b^bis). That can cost you the licence and extend the probation period.

Minor, moderately serious, serious — what are the risks during probation?

The SVG divides offences into three levels. For new drivers the key point is which level triggers a withdrawal:

• Minor offence (low danger, slight fault): a warning if you have had no measure in the last two years. Otherwise withdrawal for at least one month (SVG Art. 16a). In especially minor cases there is no measure at all.
• Moderately serious offence (you create a danger or accept it): withdrawal for at least one month, longer if there is a prior record (SVG Art. 16b).
• Serious offence (gross violation, serious danger, qualified alcohol level, unfitness to drive etc.): withdrawal for at least three months, in extreme cases much longer (SVG Art. 16c).

For the probation period only withdrawals for moderately serious or serious offences count:

• First such withdrawal: probation period + 1 year, a new probationary licence is issued (VZV Art. 35).
• Second such withdrawal: the licence lapses and is cancelled (SVG Art. 15a para. 4, VZV Art. 35a). That applies even if it has already been issued unrestricted in the meantime.

Typical traps are driving too fast and leaving too little distance. How serious a speeding offence is depends on the extent and the situation. Refresh your knowledge with speed limits in Switzerland and safe following distance.

Cancellation: what happens after the second withdrawal?

Cancellation is the harshest consequence of the probation period. It affects all categories and subcategories; existing learner permits are withdrawn as well (VZV Art. 35a). After that:

1. Waiting period: a new learner permit is possible at the earliest one year after the offence. If you still drive a car or motorcycle during this time, the period is extended by a further year (SVG Art. 15a para. 5).
2. Traffic-psychology assessment: it must confirm your fitness and accompany the new application. It may be submitted at the earliest one month before the waiting period ends and must be no more than three months old (VZV Art. 11).
3. Theory again: you must retake the basic theory test (VZV Art. 13).
4. Start from scratch: learner permit, learner drives, practical test — and then again a probationary licence (SVG Art. 15a para. 6).

Anyone starting again after a cancellation can prepare in a targeted way: with our online theory training you practise the official topics in the same form as in the test.

Probationary licence expired — what now?

This comes down to a single question: have you attended the further training?

• Yes: after the probation period ends you are issued the full driving licence (SVG Art. 15b para. 2). How this works in detail is set by your cantonal road traffic office — check its guidance in good time.
• No: then a requirement for the full licence is missing. If you want to catch up the course, the cantonal authority issues a driving authorisation for the course day only if you present the registration confirmation from a recognised course organiser (VZV Art. 24b). So do not just keep driving — register for a course immediately.

Anyone who only wants to drive vehicles of the special categories or subcategory A1 can, without the course and on application, receive the full licence of those categories (A1 only if you already held it).

Foreign driving licence: does the probation period apply to me too?

If you move to Switzerland with a foreign licence of category A or B, you receive a Swiss probationary driving licence on exchange (VZV Art. 44a). The probation period starts with the Swiss licence. It lasts three years, minus the time between the issue date of your foreign licence and the last regular exchange deadline.

You do not receive the Swiss licence on probation if your foreign licence was issued before 1 December 2005 or had already been valid for at least one year when you took up residence in Switzerland.

What you may (still) not do during the probation period

One point many people overlook: as a new driver you may not accompany learner drives. An accompanying person can only be someone who is at least 23 years old and has held the licence of the category for at least three years and no longer on probation (SVG Art. 15 para. 1). Details on learner drives are in the article Learner permit Switzerland.

Why this matters for the theory test

The probation period, the alcohol ban and licence withdrawal are part of the basic knowledge of traffic rules in Switzerland. Anyone who understands the rules before the test also drives more safely in the first three years. How the test is structured is in How many questions does the theory test have? and what is changing in Theory test 2027.

Our tip: learn with real exam questions instead of summaries. At Theorie Swiss you practise with over 1'200 questions — start the free demo or unlock all questions for 60 days for CHF 19.95.

Note: This article summarises the federal rules (as at 2026). The legal texts and the information from your cantonal road traffic office are binding. This article does not replace official guidance.

FAQ

How long does the probationary driving licence last in Switzerland?
Three years from the date of issue. After a withdrawal for a moderately serious or serious offence, the probation period is extended by one year (SVG Art. 15a).

By when do I have to do the further training?
Within 12 months of receiving the probationary licence. The course lasts one day (7 hours). Anyone who misses the deadline without a valid reason risks a fine of up to 300 francs.

Which drink-driving limit applies during the probation period?
The alcohol ban applies, in practice 0.1‰ (0.05 mg/l breath alcohol). More in the article Drink-driving limit Switzerland.

What happens if the licence is withdrawn during the probation period?
On the first withdrawal for a moderately serious or serious offence, the probation period is extended by one year. On the second, the licence is cancelled.

What does cancellation of the probationary licence mean?
The licence is withdrawn. A new learner permit is available at the earliest one year after the offence, only with a positive traffic-psychology assessment and after passing the basic theory test again.

Does the probation period also apply with a foreign driving licence?
Often yes: on exchange you receive a Swiss licence on probation with a shortened probation period. Excepted are licences issued before 1 December 2005 or that had already been valid for at least one year when you took up residence (VZV Art. 44a).

May I accompany someone on learner drives with a probationary licence?
No. Accompanying persons must be at least 23 and have held the licence for three years and no longer on probation.

Sources

• Road Traffic Act (SVG, SR 741.01, as at 1 July 2026): Art. 15 para. 1, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 16c, 31 para. 2^bis
• Traffic Licensing Ordinance (VZV, SR 741.51, as at 1 January 2026): Art. 11, 13, 24a, 24b, 27a–27d, 35, 35a, 44a, 148

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