Provisional driving licence in Switzerland: all steps, from first aid course to photo
Published
In Switzerland, you can get a provisional licence for a car (category B) from the age of 17. Much of it you can do beforehand: first aid course, eye test, passport photo and application. You receive the provisional licence itself as soon as you have passed the theory test. Here is the whole sequence, with the costs and what differs from canton to canton.
The steps at a glance
- Take a first aid course
- Have your eyes tested
- Get a passport photo
- Fill in the application
- Confirm your identity (for your first application)
- Pass the theory test
- Receive your provisional licence
1. First aid course
You need a first aid course for a provisional licence in categories A, A1, B and B1. It must not be more than six years old. If you want to start driving shortly after your 17th birthday, book it early.
2. Eye test
You take the eye test with a qualified optician, an optometrist or at a medical practice in Switzerland. The result is entered directly on the application form, so bring the printed form with you. The eye test must not be more than 24 months old.
3. Passport photo
For the application you need a recent colour passport photo in the 35 × 45 mm format. As a guideline, it should be no more than one year old. Whether you attach it on paper or submit it digitally depends on the canton. More on this below.
What you need
- Format: 35 × 45 mm, colour, no border
- Face height: 29 to 34 mm from chin to crown
- Background: plain and neutral, no shadows
- Expression: looking straight into the camera, eyes open, mouth closed; a friendly expression is allowed
- Paper or file: depends on the canton; paper photos on real photo paper, not from a home printer
- At Photo Express: the "Swiss Driver License" format
You don't need an account and only pay after the preview. If the road traffic office rejects your photo because of insufficient photo quality, we refund the full amount (request within 60 days of purchase, conditions in the GTC).
4. Fill in the application
You'll find the application form on the website of your cantonal road traffic office, usually under a title like "Application for a provisional licence or driving licence". As a rule, you can submit it at the earliest one month before your 17th birthday. Some cantons allow it earlier: Basel-Stadt six weeks, Aargau two months and Basel-Landschaft three months in advance.
5. Confirm your identity
For your first application, you go in person with the completed form and a valid ID (identity card, passport or foreign national identity card). Depending on the canton, you do this at the residents' registration office of your municipality or at the road traffic office. The municipality confirms your identity and forwards the application. Many municipalities charge a fee for this; in Zurich and several municipalities in Aargau it is 20 francs.
6. Theory test
Once the road traffic office has checked your application, you can register for the theory test. You can take it at the earliest one month before your 17th birthday. If you don't pass, you can retake the test as often as you need. Depending on the canton, it costs 30 to 40 francs.
7. Provisional licence
After passing the theory test, you receive your provisional licence, usually by post. For a car it is valid for 24 months and costs 20 to 80 francs, depending on the canton. Some cantons, according to ch.ch Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Bern, Ticino, Valais and Neuchâtel, also issue it as an electronic provisional licence in the federal swiyu app.
What comes next
- Practice drives: With the provisional licence, you practise with an accompanying person. They must be at least 23 years old, have held a driving licence for at least three years and no longer be on probation. The provisional licence is only valid in Switzerland; practice drives abroad are not recommended.
- Traffic awareness course (VKU): 8 hours, mandatory before the practical driving test. You need a valid provisional licence for it. It costs 200 to 280 francs.
- Learning phase: If you get your provisional licence before you turn 20, you can take the practical driving test after twelve months at the earliest. Starting at 17 means taking the test at 18 at the earliest.
- Probationary driving licence: After passing the test, you first receive a probationary driving licence. During the three-year probation period, you must attend a one-day further training course.
Paper or file? It depends on the canton
The photo requirements are the same everywhere and are based on fedpol's photo guidelines. What mainly differs is how you submit the photo:
- Zurich: For a first application through the residents' registration office, you attach a paper photo; digital photos aren't possible there. If you submit the application in person at the road traffic office, you can take the photo at the counter with your own phone and upload it via a text message link. For later applications, a digital upload is also possible.
- Aargau: paper photo with the application, identification at the municipality. All details: Driving licence photo Aargau (in German).
- Basel-Stadt: a recent colour photo on paper, no digital data; you submit your first application in person at the motor vehicle office. All details: Driving licence photo Basel (in German).
- Basel-Landschaft: colour passport photo, no computer printouts.
- Lucerne: photo paper instead of a PC printout, in-person visit for the first application. All details: Driving licence photo Lucerne (in German).
- St. Gallen: you can only submit a photo online if you already have a provisional or full driving licence. For your first application, you go in person to the road traffic and shipping office.
- Geneva, Ticino and Vaud: our pages are written in the canton's official language: Geneva (French), Ticino (Italian), Vaud (French).
All canton pages at a glance: Driving licence photos by canton.
Photo Express always gives you the checked file (CHF 8.90), which is suitable for upload. If your canton requires paper, order printed photos by post to your Swiss address (CHF 14.90, file included). That way you don't have to print anything yourself.
How much does the way to a provisional licence cost?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Passport photo with Photo Express | CHF 8.90 digital, CHF 14.90 with printed photos |
| Identity confirmation at the municipality | often CHF 20 |
| Theory test | CHF 30 to 40 |
| Provisional licence | CHF 20 to 80 |
| Traffic awareness course | CHF 200 to 280 |
| Probationary driving licence | CHF 30 to 60 |
On top of this come the first aid course, the eye test and driving lessons. Each canton sets its own fees.
Frequently asked questions
When can I apply for a provisional licence?
As a rule, one month before your 17th birthday, and earlier in some cantons. You can take the theory test at the earliest one month before your 17th birthday.
How long is a provisional licence valid?
For a car, 24 months.
When can I take the practical driving test?
If you got your provisional licence before you turned 20, after twelve months at the earliest. You must have completed the traffic awareness course beforehand.
Can I take the photo myself?
Yes. What matters is that it meets the requirements and is submitted the way your canton asks. For paper applications you need real photo paper.
How old can the photo be?
It must be recent. The guideline is one year at most, and some cantons require this explicitly.
As of October 2026. The information from your cantonal road traffic office is authoritative. ch.ch also gives a good overview.
