Practical Driving Test in Switzerland

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Hello,

I am recently applied to exchange my driving license to a Swiss one, and I will have to do a practical driving test in Cossonay, Vaud.

Any tips on the procedure? Driving on the road & parking, anything else?

What to be careful ? Like using "vous" to the examiner, using summer tyres in summer?

I am so nervous about driving in general, and I just cannot afford to fail this test.

2
First, you do not have to do a practical exam if you convert a foreign license from a non "happy country". It is just a "test drive" (Kontrollfahrt/Courses de contrò‚le). See also [[Drivers licence] Conversion and questions, Mark II](http://www.englishforum.ch/transportation-driving/267870-drivers-licence-conversion-questions-mark-ii.html)

Details can be found ion the ASA guidline 19b FR: https://asa.ch/wp-content/uploads/we..._FR/index.html DE: https://asa.ch/wp-content/uploads/we...-v4/index.html IT: https://asa.ch/wp-content/uploads/we..._IT/index.html

"The test drive shall be regarded as passed if the person concerned proves during a test drive that he knows the traffic rules and knows how to safely operate vehicles of the categories for which the licence applies."

You only have to do a Kontrollfahrt for the "highest" category, and will be awarded all categories bellow. The order from highest to lowest is: CE, DE, D, C, D1E ,C1E ,D1 ,C1 BE, B, B121 (Taxi), B122 (Schoolbus, Ambulance), B, A, B1, A1, F, G, M (For definitions of categories see also http://www.astra2.admin.ch/media/pdf...-20_2261_d.pdf )

For category CE to C1 the Kontrollfahrt is the same as the practical exam.

For category BE and lower the Kontrollfahrt is more relaxed than the actual practical exam. Some of the Differences to a full practical test:

- The Kontrollfahrt takes normally only 30 minutes (practical test 60 minutes), but can be as long as the practical one. The examiner can abort early if they see you can drive and you are aware of the traffic rules.

- Maneuvers such as parallel and reverse parking, starting/stopping on a hill, driving backwards, and emergency stopp are normally not tested.

- If you apply for category A you will have to do an emergency stop and one of the following classic maneuvers: figure 8, slow lane, straight or staggered slalom, brake and avoid.

The examiner will tell you where you have to go (left, right, follow signs to , etc.) if he is silent it means you simply follow the legal course of the road.

What will be tested:

- Traffic perception, in particular dynamic vision;

- Traffic environment: behavior towards traffic partners, adaptation to visual, road and traffic conditions as well as weather-related influences;

- Traffic dynamics: adaptation of speed, keeping up in traffic;

- Traffic tactics: Early recognition of possible dangers and appropriate behavior in dangerous situations;

- Traffic procedures: driving on junctions, changing lanes, Roundabout square;

- Correct entry and exit on motorways;

- Vehicle operation: automation of operating sequences;

- Recognition of priority rules, signals and general traffic rules.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator form the German ASA 19b

or in other words:

You must know the Swiss traffic rules. what the signs and road marking (also those from the police) mean and act accordingly. Like, but not limited to:

- Do a full stop at a stop sign.

- Do not cross a solid line.

- Drive with foresight. Specially when elderly or children are present.

- Know when priority from the right applies or when it does not apply.

- Be prudent at junctions with an seemingly empty road with priority over yours.

- Be aware about your destination and course of your route (at junctions, forks, etc.)

- Do not hinder others and specially do not endanger them by driving too slow, too fast, too erratic, and not according signage, traffic rules, weather, and road condition.

3
Thank very much.

I have already done with my paper work, all I need is to pass the exam.