Provisional driving licence: what you need to know

1. What is a provisional driving licence?

Your first category A, A-, or B driver's license is a “provisional driving licence”. It is also known as the “green L”.

2. What rules apply to drivers with the “green L”?

The same rules apply to new drivers as to everyone else. The fines are also the same for new drivers in Switzerland. 

However, there are some special rules that must be observed.

3. What do you need to know if your provisional driving licence is revoked?

Die Regeln für den Ausweisentzug sind beim Führerausweis auf Probe dieselben wie für unbefristete Führerausweise. Fährst du beispielsweise innerorts 21 km/h oder mehr zu schnell, verlierst du für mindestens einen Monat den Führerschein.

A driving ban can have negative consequences for you as a new driver. Note that:

• The first time you lose your licence during the probationary period, the probationary period is extended by one year. However, this only happens in the event of moderate or serious offences. The second time you lose your driving licence, it becomes permanent. This is also known as “annulment of the driving licence”. This also only applies in the event of a moderate or severe infringement.

Reapplying for your driving licence

If your provisional driving licence has been taken away twice, you can only reapply after one year. You will need to undergo undergo a psychological assessment of fitness to drive by a psychologist. You will need to cover the costs of this yourself. The assessment must not be older than three months when submitting the application.

You must take both the theory examination and the practical examination again. 

You may also need to take a new eye test. This is because the eye test may not be more than 24 months old when applying for a provisional driving licence (also known as a learner’s permit). The first-aid course is valid for six years.

4. What are the drink-driving rules for new drivers?

The rule for new drivers with a temporary driving licence is that you must not have blood alcohol level limit greater than 0.1 parts per thousand while driving. In practice, this means zero tolerance. You could even reach this limit by eating an overripe banana.

Once you get your full, permanent driving licence, the permitted limit then increases to 0.5 parts per thousand.

5. What do I need to know about the further training course?

The further training course is part of what is known as two-phase training for new drivers (link not available in English). It is held over the course of a day. In the course, you will take part in practical driving exercises and learn more about energy-efficient driving.

It is also mandatory for motorcyclists, if they have not already completed it in a car. Do you have a provisional driving licence for both motorcycles and cars? Then you can choose which vehicle you would like to use to take the further training course (Art. 27a para. 2 of the Road Traffic Authorization Ordinance, RTAO).

6. When will I receive my full driving licence?

You will automatically receive your permanent driver’s licence by post from the responsible Road Traffic Office before your provisional driving licence expires. Prerequisite: you have completed the compulsory further training course (WAB).