Sixteen categories, four families of vehicle, and nine tests that combine differently depending on the one you are after. Here is which applies to which.
16
licence categories
Same basic theory as for cars — the one theorium.ch prepares you for — plus twelve hours of practical training.
A1
From 15 / 16
Engine capacity up to 125 cc and maximum power of 11 kW. From fifteen for light motorcycles, from sixteen for the rest. Without a category A or B probationary licence, the follow-up training is not required.
Also allowsSpecial categories F, G and M
Tests to take
Learner permit valid 4 months
OAC art. 3 al. 2 · art. 6 al. 1A
From 18
The learner permit is first limited to motorcycles of at most 35 kW, with a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW/kg. Unlimited power comes after two years on the restricted A licence with a clean riding record.
Also allowsSub-categories A1 and B1, special categories F, G and M
Tests to take
Probationary licence 3 years
OAC art. 3 al. 1 · art. 15 al. 2 et 2bisCategory B shares its basic theory with motorcycles, and is the gateway to nearly all the others.
B
From 17
Total weight up to 3500 kg and no more than eight seats besides the driver's. A trailer of up to 750 kg is included; beyond that, the combination must stay under 3500 kg, otherwise category BE is required.
Also allowsSub-category B1, special categories F, G and M
Tests to take
Learner permit from 17, driving licence from 18
OAC art. 3 al. 1 · art. 6 al. 1 let. c bisB1
From 18
Motor tricycles with an unladen weight of up to 670 kg, and motor quadricycles. Category B already covers them: B1 on its own only makes sense if you are not after a car licence.
Also allowsSpecial categories F, G and M, plus motor sledges
Tests to take
Learner permit valid 12 months
OAC art. 3 al. 2 · art. 6 al. 1 let. dBE
From 17
The car-plus-trailer combination that falls outside category B: caravan, horsebox, site trailer. If you hold the licence for the towing vehicle you are exempt from the basic theory; only the practical test remains.
A medical exam and a complementary theory test come on top of the car licence.
C1
From 18
Total weight above 3500 kg but no more than 7500 kg, at most eight seats besides the driver's, trailer up to 750 kg included. The entry step towards heavy vehicles.
Also allowsCategory B, sub-category B1, special categories F, G and M
Tests to take
OAC art. 3 al. 2 · art. 11b al. 3 · art. 21C
From 18
Total weight above 3500 kg with no upper limit, at most eight seats besides the driver's, trailer up to 750 kg included. The licence is time-limited and renewed on a medical examination.
Also allowsCategory B, sub-categories B1 and C1, special categories F, G and M
Tests to take
OAC art. 3 al. 1 · art. 11b al. 3 · art. 21C1E · CE
From 18
A trailer over 750 kg behind a lorry: in C1E the combination stays under 12,000 kg, in CE there is no limit. You must already hold the licence for the towing vehicle; only the practical test is added.
D1
From 21
More than eight but at most sixteen seats besides the driver's, trailer up to 750 kg included. Holders of a C or C1 licence need neither a learner permit nor a practical test.
Tests to take
OAC art. 3 al. 2 · art. 6 al. 1 let. e · art. 22 al. 3 let. cD
From 21
Vehicles for carrying passengers with more than eight seats besides the driver's. A category D licence carries the professional passenger transport authorisation with no further exam.
Also allowsCategory B, sub-categories B1, C1 and D1, special categories F, G and M
D1E · DE
From 21
A trailer over 750 kg behind a minibus or coach. In D1E the combination stays under 12,000 kg and the trailer is not used to carry passengers.
The most accessible: from 14, and with no practical test for two of them.
F
From 16 / 18
Motor vehicles with a top speed of no more than 45 km/h, motorcycles excepted. From sixteen for work vehicles, tractors, motor trucks and agricultural vehicles; from eighteen for the rest.
Also allowsSpecial categories F, G and M
Tests to take
Holders of a category G licence are exempt from the basic theory
OAC art. 3 al. 3 · art. 6 al. 1 let. bG
From 14
Agricultural and forestry vehicles, works trucks, motor trucks and industrial tractors used for farm journeys, up to 30 km/h. No learner permit and no practical test: the licence is issued on the basic theory alone.
Also allowsSpecial category M; up to 40 km/h after a recognised tractor driving course
M
From 14
The first licence available in Switzerland, from fourteen. As with category G there is no learner permit and no practical test: the eyesight check and the adapted theory exam are enough.
Not a category but an authorisation, added to a licence you already hold.
121
—
Required to carry passengers professionally in a category B, B1, C, C1 or F vehicle — taxi, patient transport, shuttle. It is obtained through a complementary theory exam on driving and rest times and a complementary practical test.
Tests to take
Granted without an exam to holders of a D or D1 licence
OAC art. 25Always the same ones, always in the same order: what changes from category to category is which of them apply. Each has its article and its deadline.
9
tests and courses in all
01
At a doctor, a qualified optician or an optometrist: visual acuity, field of vision and eye mobility. It must be less than twenty-four months old when you file the application.
02
At a provider recognised by FEDRO: securing the scene, alerting the emergency services, keeping vital functions going. You present the certificate when registering for the basic theory exam, and it must be less than six years old.
03
The one theorium.ch prepares you for. You may sit it at the earliest one month before reaching the minimum age. Anyone who already holds a category A, B, C or D licence, or one of their sub-categories, is exempt; for F, G and M the exam is adapted to the vehicle.
04
Eight hours with a driving instructor, once you hold the learner permit: traffic sense, hazard perception, defensive driving. Anyone already holding an A, A1, B or B1 licence is exempt.
05
Twelve hours, to be taken within four months of the learner permit being issued: riding dynamics, observation technique, machine handling. Once done, it extends the learner permit by twelve months.
06
For categories C and D and for the professional transport authorisation, the cantonal authority refers you to a doctor holding recognition level 2. The minimum medical requirements are stricter than for cars.
07
The second theory exam, specific to lorries and coaches: rules particular to heavy vehicles, driving and rest times, loading. It comes on top of the basic theory, it does not replace it.
08
The examiner checks that you drive by the rules, reading the road ahead and showing consideration, even in difficult traffic. In category B, anyone who got their learner permit before turning twenty must have held it for at least twelve months.
09
Seven hours in a single day, in groups of six to twelve, within twelve months of the probationary licence being issued. It is the condition for getting the unrestricted licence after three years.
Category B in detail
The ten steps to the car licence, from the first-aid course to the unrestricted licence, with the ages and validity periods.
Want to check it has sunk in?
The free test asks about exactly these rules, with the article behind every answer.
Written from the OAC (SR 741.51) and the SVG: categories (art. 3), what they entitle you to (art. 4), minimum age (art. 6) and the training articles. Exemptions depend on the licences you already hold; in case of doubt the cantonal road traffic office prevails.