WAB course in Switzerland: what you need to know
The WAB course is the last step of driver training. When do you need to complete the course and what does it cost? Comparis explains.
04.10.2024
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1. What is the WAB course?
The WAB course is an advanced training course in driving (“Weiterausbildingskurs” in German). It is a compulsory further training course in Switzerland for new drivers who have received a provisional driving licence. The course is also referred to as a 2-phase course.
The goal of the course: new drivers should continue to improve their driving skills after the driving test – and adopt a considerate and environmentally friendly driving style.
2. When do I have to take the further training course?
You must complete the WAB course within 12 months of passing the practical driving test. It is a prerequisite for your provisional driving licence to be converted into a permanent driving licence.
The WAB course is also mandatory for motorcyclists. 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 WAB course (Art. 27a para. 2 of the Road Traffic Authorization Ordinance, RTAO, not available in English).
What if I don’t complete the WAB course?
If you don’t complete the WAB course within 12 months after the driving test, you risk a fine of up to 300 francs (Art 148 para. 1 RTAO) when driving. During the three-year probationary period, you can also complete the course afterwards and thereby eliminate the risk of fines.
If you allow the entire three-year probationary period to pass, you will not receive a permanent driving licence. This means you’ll no longer be allowed to drive. However, you can make up for the training and then apply for the definitive driving licence.
3. How much does the WAB course cost?
Depending on the provider, the WAB course costs 290–550 francs.
There are different options:
Visit fahrlehrer.ch and compare different WAB providers.
Ask a driving school directly about it. Small, local driving schools often offer cheaper prices than large providers.
Some providers have early bird discounts or special promotions if you book the course early.
In smaller cities or rural areas, courses are often cheaper than in large cities.
4. WAB course: overview of the process
The WAB course lasts one day. It includes a theory part, driving safety training and a learning part for environmentally friendly driving.
Theory
After a short welcome, the course starts with the theoretical part. Topics such as road safety, detecting and avoiding hazards in road traffic and driving under difficult conditions are discussed here. In addition, environmentally conscious driving is covered. You’ll learn how to reduce fuel consumption by driving predictively.
Driving safety training
The theory section is followed by the practical part. On the training ground, you’ll perform various driving safety exercises. This includes emergency braking and evasive manoeuvres. This is often done under different road surface conditions – for example, on wet or frozen ground.
Eco driving
In the third part, you move out onto the public roads. Here you’ll put into practice what you’ve learned. Special focus is placed on a proactive driving style. This makes you safer and more environmentally conscious on the road. Your driving behaviour will then be analyzed with the instructors and participants.
5. Do I have to take the WAB course with my own car?
If you have your own car, it’s best to use your own vehicle. The advantage is that you’ll get to know the driving behaviour of your own vehicle better.
You can also easily rent a car – often even directly from the provider of the WAB course.
Is my car insured during the WAB course?
Practical exercises such as emergency braking and evasive manoeuvres can cause damage to your car. During the course, your car is fully covered by the course provider. In the event of damage, you only have to pay the deductible.
Find the right car insurance
Do you have your own car? All-round protection with full casco insurance can also be worthwhile on the road. In any case, you need third-party liability insurance. Compare different providers now and find the right car insurance for you.
5. Preparing for the WAB course
Do you want to have a head start in the WAB course and excel with your knowledge? We share frequently asked questions during the course.
Reduce speed. Keep enough distance from other vehicles and be particularly attentive.
For a sufficient safety distance, follow the two-second rule. How it works:
Select recurring roadside reference points, such as a tree or guide post.
Start counting as soon as the vehicle in front of you passes that point. Count “one Mississippi, two Mississippi” at a steady pace. This corresponds to about two seconds.
Do you reach the point with your vehicle before you have finished counting? You’re too close to the vehicle in front of you. You should increase the safety distance.
Remember: in bad weather conditions, you should increase the distance .
In normal road conditions on dry roads, the braking distance is 25 metres.
Drive proactively and avoid frequent stopping and acceleration. In addition, maintain your speed and shift into higher gears at an early stage.
Predictive driving helps avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration. This significantly reduces fuel consumption.
6. Summary
The WAB course is mandatory for new drivers – and a valuable investment in their own driving safety. Make sure that you complete the course within 12 months. This saves you unnecessary costs and hassle.
Driving safety training after the WAB course can also be worthwhile – as a voluntary option. In winter, for example, there are special skid courses on snow and ice. Off-road courses or drift courses are also popular.
These kinds of training help you to understand the driving behaviour of cars even better and competently handle critical situations on the road.
It is best to choose an experienced provider such as TCS, Driving Center Switzerland or Caremotion to benefit from high-quality and safe driving training.
This article was first published on 04.10.2024
