Driving Test and Car passing

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
hi all.

I have 2 Questions over here:

1. I have applied for a Swiss National Driving Permit and they have given me a date next month for the test. They have also told me that "if I failed in the test, they will also cancel my own country's driving license and I have to start Driving Theory Classes and after, I can again apply for the Swiss License. I have the one and only chance to appear in the test on this stage.

2. I have got a car (used one) from a friend and and somebody told me that the police will check the car by some computerized system and if they pass the car, then you can use it AND if Not, you have to go to the mechanic and must resolve the problems that the police has pointed out and then again the police will check until they pass it.

Here my First question is that:

"What should I do for the Driving Test and what kind of things the Driving Inspector emphasizes on during the Driving Test"??

2ndly,

"What kind of car's problems the police emphasizes on while checking the car??

Thanks and Regards,

Momi

Sorry for my weak English.. .

2
Hi MoMi

We also had to do our test and it is very nerve wracking. We did one lesson with a local instructor who took us out on the road on a typical "test route" and pointed out to us what we did "wrong" and what to watch out for. It was money well spent.

Can't help on the question about the car tho.

Good Luck

Nats

3
Simply put, everything.

4
Find a good driving school instructor and attend as many training runs as possible until he/she tells you they confident in your skills. It`s worth the money spent.

The vehicle? I only know that second hand vehicles here seem to have incredible chassis rust, due to the salt on the roads .... but again, a garage mechanic will be able to help you with advice there.

Good luck with your driving test! Its not that nerve-wracking - the examiners are laid back and only want to make sure you not going to be a hazard on the road.

5
Thanks Smoky...its encouraging...

6
Oh yes, also go buy yourself a Driving Instruction Manual and STUDY it!

One of the hardest things I had to get used to was having the stationery car in first gear all the time! Waiting at traffic lights one has the car in first gear, ready for take-off (In my home country where I drove for 40yrs we got penalised for sitting in gear). And here one does not sit idling, if you further back than 4 cars waiting, you switch off the engine.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of good driving lessons - you dont have to pay cash - discuss finances with the driving school.

7
actually i am driving since 1994 in my home country. I know most of the traffic rules & regulations but I dont know what the Inspector emphasizes on during the driving test over here in Switzerland? Does he emphasize on Driving skills or awareness of routes?

8
Am I the only one concerned about the "most" part...

9
The driving Test is to assess ALL your driving skills..... You have to know ALL the driving rules and regulations and road signs. In other words you have to be a skilled driver.

I live in a country village. The Testing Centre was in a large town. I had no idea where I was on the route, just followed his instructions ... turn left here, right there. You have to be able to drive in areas with trams, cycle lanes, and know the rules of the road markings.

What I was trying to convey previously is that the Examiner did not go out of his way to make me nervous or to trick me ... his concern was with my attitude, driving skill, and road knowledge.

That is why I recommended as many professional lessons as possible.

10
I have already a driver's license in Brazil since 8 years. When I lived in New York, I could simply get an international permission, with a copy of the original one. Is there the same possibility in Zurich?

11
I have been driving in CH for 5 years and got my CH licence first try, with no study and no driving lessons. While I agree that driving lessons are perhaps a good idea, they are also (as is swiss tradition) VERY OVERPRICED!!! Do you not have a swiss friend who could offer you a few tips, go driving with you a few times?? I would HIGHLY recommend this discounted alternative to a driving instructor......

Re: the car. If you are a member of the TCS you can have them inspect the car for you. If your car has an MFK sticker, check to date on it. If it has expired you will receive a fine. If you cant find one, you will have a few more difficulties that I have no experience with, so alas, I am useless to you. I cant help you with a recommended Garage or anything, but I hope somone in your area could give you a few pointers in the right direction.... happy to help if I can.

12
If I remember rightly ( ) you may drive with a foreign licence for up to 1 year (or was it 3 month?? could someone clarify?)

An International Driving licence should be OK for up to a year. Take a look at the small print on it I am sure there is some info regarding the info your after. hope that helps

13
all the questions about licence are here: [[Drivers licence] Conversion and questions](http://www.englishforum.ch/transportation-driving/5770-drivers-licence-conversion-questions.html)

Some information about the car test here: MFK - MOT- TUV car test

14
hi everyone...

i have just turned 18 and its come to the time where i have to take my driving test! so i have been ringing around a couple of local driving schools to see whether i can do my test in english, as i feel my french is not quite good enough to do the theory or practical. i will be doing my first aid in french because i have been told it is easily understandable. But im going to be nervous enough as it is without having to learn to drive AND think about the french!! So i spoke to a couple of schools and they tell me i can do my theory in english BUT i have to do the actual exam in french (and i dont speak italian or german)

Does anyone know any differnt, or is this the norm all over switzerland??

Thanks

15
your theory you can do in english, mock tests and final test.....

Driving exam, i am not sure about, i would contact the driving exam people to find out....

good luck...

Momi, did you pass???

16
Hi Sophie1,

I just did the theory test (the actual one) last week in English. I live in canton Berne and don't know how it should be in your place. Ask the driving school again, sometimes they are not 100% informed. My driving teacher was also unsure in the beginning.

Good luck!

17
The driving test: They are really not that bad, what they want to make sure is that you know your car, can drive it and know the signs on the road. They do not ask any questions, just sit next to you and tell you turn right at the next traffic light, or circle or whatever. They do however speak german (mine did and did not speak English).

They check how you sit with yr hands on the steering wheel (hold 2 hands etc), how you consider bicycles, if you are using yr mirrors, check that you know how to drive a traffic circle. Some even ask you to drive into a NO GO zone, just to test you...so, plse know the signs. Slow down BEFORE the sign that says eg 60km, and speed up to 60km only AFTER the sign.

Like everyone else says...go and spend the money on 1 drive with an instructor, just to make you wiser, and more at ease. It can definately NOT harm you.

It depends on your AA license issued when you have to do the drivers test. You have to convert your AA (international license issued by yr country) to a Swiss license before it obviously expires. Yes, they will cancel your license when you do not pass, and then you have to do it all over, the written and it all (huge process) in Switzerland.

When you go and apply at your license authority for your Swiss license, they will take your other license away from you (in that period you will drive without a license, but they also tell you that if you are stopped by an officer, the officer can contact them for yr license). The day when you do the driv etest, they will immediately issue you with a paper if you pass, and of course (hopefully not!) do the same in cancelling your license, when you fail.

I am not sure if all the kantons are the same...but sure that they are MORE or less the same in principle.

Advice: Do the conversion in the season that you are comfortable with eg, if you are used to snow driving then its ok for any season, but otherwise go that you are sure to do the driving in summer, when conditions are better and you can see better where you are going. Personally, winter driving in a place that is not familiar to you..can make you more nervous and not all the times are the roads 100% cleared from snow etc.

last thing: from the moment that you book your test, it takes about 4-6 weeks for you to do the actual test. They send you in the post a letter on which day and time it is, you just have to make sure you are there!

Good luck.

18
in my kanton, when I did the driving test...the poor guy did not speak a word of English, so I tried my best german - which was bad at the time, but he appreciated it.

19
Is there anybody who can please answer the question posed about how long you can drive with a foreign license? I just got here last Tuesday, am getting my car on Wednesday and want to know:

1. How long can I drive with my Connecticut license?

2. Is there an eye test?

3. One does take the written exam (in English I hope) before the driving exam right?

4. Has anyone found it beneficial to go for the International license first and then the Swiss?

Thanks - I see I had more questions than just the first one.

Fraueli

20
Its actually benificial to rather get your International license from your original country (issued in yr original country to you), and then to come here and drive a few months with an International License. I am not sure if it depends on country-country, but I was issued with a one year International License (South Africa) and that you can obviously drive her ein Switzerland for one year with. before the year is over, you have to convert that license into a Swiss license.

You have to go to your license authority (swiss) and book an appointment, they will send you a letter stating the time and date of yr driving test. And...a few thinsg that you have to bring with for example...a stamped/signed eye test from a swiss optometrist. But the eye test is easy, walk into any optometrist and give them the paper that the license authority send to you, and they complete it and stamp it and also do a quick test. Does not cost much as far as I can remember. Also you need ID pics etc etc. Nothing strange there I guess in what you needed.

So, here is yr questions to yr answer:l

1) I think THINK you can drive 1 yr with a valid issued AA license, BUT..check on yr AA issued license or otherwise rather make sure and take a drive to yr local license authority. Its worth it, you do not want to end up on the wrong side of these things.

2) Yes, you have to give an eye test paper in, one that they would send you to have stamped and completed

3) I did not have to do a written exam/ test before the actual driving test. I think it might depend on yr AA license, and where you coem from...but I do not think that the US would be a problem.

4) Look at my answer at top, I think its beneficial. Especially good that you get to know the rules and roadsigns.

What I did, I took a friend with me to drive, and she woudl play the authority and direct me in driving where and when, and we drove around where the licensing place were...as you start obviously at license office and then have to go somewhere...so, take a drive there, ...on a quiet day, and just drive and test yourself, and notice things and check it out.

But, from all the posts here...you can read that most say that you should spend yr money and go and get a instructor to drive with you. TRUE...do that, its money worth spending, rather than to THINK you have th rule right, and then later are sorry to find out that the Swiss treats teh rule different etc.

Do not panic to much, I promise you also...if you are a confident driver and know your car and drive well, without any false starts and beginner things...that also helps. be confident, and try to be calm, he is only there to see if you CAN actually drive a car, obey rules and are not a hooligan on the road and will NOT endanger anyone. So, good luck, be yourself. When I got in teh car with teh authority, he told me very nicely that I should just drive like ai drive everyday and relax, as he is only looking if I can handle my car, the rules and be on the road legally! I hope that you also get a nice guy..