Motorcycle Progression

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Hi folks

I'm learning to navigate the motorcycle landscape in Switzerland and am looking for some advice from experienced riders please.

I'm a 47 year old and have been driving cars on a full licence (B Licence) for >20 years. When I moved to Switzerland 4 years ago, I successfully transferred my car licence - and automatically got a motorcycle licence with restriction of 125cc max 45kmh.

I have recently decided to venture into motorcycling, just on a baby 125CC, and love it. I want more!

So - I will soon complete my 12 hours basic training (Grundkurs) which will remove the A1 45kmh restriciton but will still limit me to A1 general restricitons 125CC (11kW).

Here's my question - where do I go from there?

I'd love to get a bigger bike and an A2 license (35kW) but as far as I know I will need to complete 1 additional day's training (I have no problem with that) and successfully pass the A2 driving test (practical & theory). That's where I start to worry a little - unfortunately my German language skills are only ok, not great.

I'm not confident that my German is good enough to understand and follow spoken instructions in German for the practical test; same goes for the theory test.

Am I correct in understanding that I will need to complete a practical and theory test for an A2 licence? Or is there some dispensation for experienced B drivers (probably not I'm guessing)?

Is it possible to take the test in English?

Is there a company (I'm in Canton Zug) that can help me prepare for the test itself, even if I must do it in German?

Any advice or ideas would be really appreciated.

Thanks a lot everyone.

Matthew

2
12 hours basic course is enough for A (35kW). So, you apply for learners permit and have 12 months to pass the practical exam. No theory exam is needed.

3
Only practical.

No.

Probably, many driving schools have English speaking instructers.

Tom

4
I believe you also need a bigger bike to do the training on.

I’ve been riding a 125 for years and also interested to going up a level so keen to hear how you get on. I’m local too!

5
Only for the test, and the course.

Tom

6
Does it need to be on bike up to the max capacity or could it be done on something like a 250CC bike?

7
you need to show you are able to ride a bike according to category you are applying for.

Check the requirements under "anforderung an das prüfungsfahrzeug"

A unrestricted:

A motorcycle without a sidecar with an engine power of more than 35kW or a power/weight ratio of more than 0.2 kW/kg and two seats.

Motorcycle specific safety equipment

Motorcycle-specific safety equipment (helmet, clothing, gloves, boots) should be worn for the driving test.

8
Depends on the power and weight.

You can rent one for the test.

Also, depending on the canton, you may need to take the test with the tester as a passenger.

Tom

9
Thanks folks for taking the time to reply - this has been very helpful.

I would be very happy to let you know how this works out. Planning to visit the Verkersammt in the next week or so and figure out next best steps.

Best

Matthew

10
So I promised I would post this follow-up and let people know how I got on

I completed the 12 hours Grundkurs (with a trainer called Peter Zwyer who speaks good English and is a super good instructor - I can highly recommend him), and received my A1 licence (125cc).

I then immediately applied for the A2 learners licence and received it in a few days. That learner's licence is valid for 12 months from date of issue, so you should take and hopefully pass the full A test within that time. The A2 entitles you to ride bikes up to 35kW and there are plenty of bike options out there for A2. I have just ordered a Ducati Monster 937 35kW edition (bit of a step up from my Honda 125cc lol!). I understand I also need to do an additional 1-day refresher course within the same 12 month period.

The 35kW resrtictions can be removed once you have passed the A test and have been driving on a 35kW bike for at least 2 years. I am told this completely transforms the bike so I guess the advice would be to go ahead and buy the 35kW version of the bike you would want to have "long-term". I would plan to keep the Ducati for a good while. Expensive up-front (depending on what you go for), but better spend it now than buy twice, imo.

Hope this is useful.

Thanks to those for contributing to this thread!

Best

Matthew

11
No need for an refresher course. As you did your 12 hour basic training, and have had class B previously for many years.

Nevertheless it might be a good idea to do a road safety training.

For example with TCS, Drive Swiss, Eventcenter Seelisberg, etc.

12
Super thanks!