motorcycle licence

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Hello everyone,

I am interested in learning to drive a motorbike here in Switzerland. I have a driving B licence already issued in a EU country.

I am 25 years old and.

What are the categories here for motorbike licence and also does anyone know procedure and how the examinations are?

2
Two Categories.

- Cat. A unrestricted, you must be at least 25 years old (*). You will need a bike with more than 35 kW for the practical test.

- Cat. A restricted 35 kW (same as A2 in the EU). You will need a bike with more than 125ccm and 35kW or less for the practical test.

There is also A1, but you said motorcycle

See also this threads:

Taking Catogory A unlimited bike license in Switzerland

Motorbike/Motorcycle: Learning/Taking the test with(out) car license?

Timing...Motorbike A license and buying a large bike...

Have a safe ride.

(*) Starting January 1st 2022 this is no longer an option. All beginners will have to begin with A restricted 35 kW for at least two years.

3
Good morning,

Thanks for the answer. Actually unrestricted category A is what I want. Do you know how much lessons and exams cost approximately?

Also you mentioned I need a specific motorcycle for each test. This means I bring my motorcycle for the test?

Last question is, if you pass the test here and then leave the country (as I am foreigner from EU), does the licence conversion works backwards also (Swiss -> EU)

4
All your questions are answered in the linked threads You just have to read them

CHF 600 per Block Can't be! Even in Zurich it is not more than CHF 210 per block. Or around CHF 420 per block when booked as a one-on-one private course.

5
Likewise around here, 600 total, i.e. 3x200.

Tom

6
So, basically you can show up with a 1000cc for the A unrestricted as long as you have more than 25 years old?

7
Yes, as long as you get your learners permit before January 1st 2021 !

From January 1st 2011 only restricted 35 kW learners permit are available, regardless of age. To get a unrestricted learners permit you must have passed the A (35 kW) practical test, have had the license for at least 2 years, and have no major traffic infractions.

https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/official...n/2019/191.pdf

https://www.astra.admin.ch/astra/de/...schriften.html

https://www.admin.ch/gov/de/start/do...-id-73387.html

8
What about if you want to learn how to ride a motorbike but you have literaly zero experience? Are there schools that also provide the motorbike? Im not going to buy one, renting one is out of the question since i have no idea how to ride, and im not going to borrow one because if i drop it which i will, my friends will kill me.

9
Such schools exists. I do not know if also around Geneva and be aware that it is not the cheapest option. In addition do that the TCS offers Schnupperkurse/Découverte where you can learn the absolute basics how to handle a motorcycle on a closed course (no permit needed) so that you should get the bike from the store/sales person to your home in one piece. Such trials opportunities are sometimes also organized by stores, at motorcycle test days, and at other training facilities.

Also, you could do your first lesson with an instructor starting at the store/sales person from whom you buy the motorcycle. You might also ask a friend to transfer the bike first to your place and start from there.

After that do the mandatory basic training courses ASAP, but latest within 4 months of acquiring the learners permit. If you do not attend the basic courses within 4 months the learners permit will be void and you have to get a new one. If you miss them again you must wait two years before you can apply for a third learners permit!

Only the basic training is mandatory. Further or previous driving lessons are optional. It is a wise idea to do a mock exam with a driving instructor some weeks before the real one and discuss pitfalls, easy fails, and tricky locations you should be aware of.

10
Thank you for this I guess the best way forward is to email a few schools and ask. What i want really, is a couple of lessons just to see if i like it enough to get a learners permit. Im sure i wont be the first one to ask that.

11
Did you have any luck with a particular school? I am trying to do the same thing in the Zurich area. With this whole lockdown I will have a bunch of spare time each day as most of my client meetings were cancelled..

12
Hi,

Not really. I was searching in a few before lockdown. Then everything closed. Hopefully learning schools will open soon when measures reduce.

13
So theoretically if you're over 25 and have a 35kW motorcycle, you could apply for A limited but also for A unlimited (before 2021), right?

Can you do the practical A unlimited exam with a 35kW motorcycle? Or has to be over 35kW?

Is the practical exam identical (A limited and A unlimited)?

I guess it makers sense to go for the A unlimited directly. No other difference?

14
Currently you can do the unlimited exam with a 35 kW motorcycle. It is unique in the sense that you could ride it with a restricted A (35 kW) permit, but you can also do the unrestricted exam. I am not 100% sure, but it should also be the case if you get your unlimited learners permit before January 1, 2021.

Starting with January 1, 2021 an unrestricted A learner permit is only available when you had a restricted A (35 kW) for at least two years. In that case the motorcycle for the practical exam must have more than 35 kW. A motorcycle with exactly 35 kW is no longer suitable.

The practical exams are identical. You have to master the bike and be able ride in traffic according to the rules. If your 25 years or older and your bike has exactly 35 kW get the unrestricted learners permit.

15
Is it technically possible to:

1) Take out the unrestricted A learner's permit - in 2020

2) Get a sub-35kW bike and do the 12h lessons (within 4 months) + practice

3) Go to the practical exam with a 35+kW bike (e.g. lent from a friend, and with sufficient practice beforehand) to pass as unrestricted --> does this have to be within 2020 or it can be executed in 2021 too?

16
Possible. The bike you use for the basic training must not be an A1. Learners permit is valid for 4 + 12 Months. You must pass the test in this period. Accordingly, you can do the exam next year.

Basic rule (now and then): If you have an unrestricted learners permit and you pass the exam with a suitable bike you will get the unrestricted license.

17
Great to hear.

Many thanks for your patience in answering all the questions!

18
Here three other possibility if you turn 25 this year:

1.

Before your 25th birthday get an restricted learners permit.

Do the basic training with the restricted bike (with 4 months of acquiring the license).

After your birthday but before Jan. 1. 2021 convert the learners permit into an unrestricted one. This is possible but the validity period will remain the same.

2.

Before your 25th birthday get an restricted learners permit.

Do the basic training with the restricted bike (with 4 months of acquiring the license).

Pass the restricted practical exam before Jan. 1 2021 (practically before end of October as most places safe Ticino will not do motorcyles exams during the winter).

After the successful exam and after your birthday, uut before Jan 1, 2021 apply for an unrestricted learners permit. This new learners permit will be valid for 16 months. You do not have to redo the basic training.

3.

If you have acquired your restricted license less than 24 months before your 25th birthday you can do the same as described in 2 do get your unrestricted license a bit sooner and bypass the two year waiting period.

19
hi,

After a year in Zurich I decided that I want to get a motorcycle driver's license (equivalent to an EU A2 license). I don't have any other car or bike license. This lockdown is driving me nuts and I need a way to get around.

I read on a few forums that I need:

to do a first aid course (which might be available in English) a theoretical test (which might also be available in English) some driving lessons (which are available in English at some schools) and lastly I assume there is some sort of practical test in German.

Can someone please confirm the process? It would be greatly appreciated as the 4 steps above involve a lot of guess work.

Also, is it possible to find the theory prep materials in English?

Ohh, before I forget, does anyone know if it is possible to rent the bike for the course and exam? A friend will ship me his old bike from Australia (EU A2 compatible, 35kW Honda), but it only arrives in about 6 months.

Thanks in advance everyone !

20

I am yet to find a driving school that lets motorcycles to its students, unlike cars, you are supposed to show up with your motocycle, either own or rented. This means you have to be able to drive it already, as you are expected to follow the group/instructor. So either you learn it by yourself, or with a friend, or you pay an instructor for a private class to teach you the basics. You are supposed to have a learners license for this, which means after you get it you have 4 months to get the Grundkurs done, after that it is valid for one year, during this time you are supposed to clear the practical exam.