Swiss Category B1 driving license: vehicles, learner’s permit & test
B1 is the Swiss category for light motor vehicles and three-wheeled motor vehicles up to 670 kg unladen weight. Here you find all the requirements, the path to the test, and how to get started safely — with or without a driving lesson.
- Bookable online
- Flexible appointments
- Driving lesson with your own vehicle available
At a glance
B1 in 30 seconds — the key facts about the Swiss Category B1 driving license.
Which vehicles?
Light motor vehicles and three-wheeled motor vehicles with an unladen weight of no more than 670 kg (VZV, in force since 01.04.2024).
Minimum age
18 years for the B1 learner’s permit.
Driving alone
With the B1 learner’s permit you may generally drive without a supervising driver.
Test vehicle
Light motor vehicle or three-wheeled motor vehicle up to 670 kg unladen weight with at least 60 km/h.
B1 ≠ Category B
B1 does not entitle you to drive classic Category B passenger cars. Holders of Category B may drive B1 vehicles.
Requirements
Eye test, first-aid course, basic theory test, and Traffic Awareness Course (VKU) — unless you already hold Category A1.
Driving lesson optional
There are no mandatory driving lessons — but a professional lesson is worth it for the start, for maneuvers, and for test preparation.
What is Category B1?
B1 is a stand-alone Swiss driving license category for a specific vehicle class. It is deliberately distinct from Category B (car), A1 (small motorcycle / scooter) and the smaller F and M categories.
According to the Road Traffic Licensing Ordinance (VZV, SR 741.51) in the version of the amendment AS 2024 31 — in force since 1 April 2024 — Category B1 covers:
«Light motor vehicles and three-wheeled motor vehicles with an unladen weight of no more than 670 kg.»
This means B1 is clearly delimited:
- It is not about classic passenger cars (that is Category B).
- It is not about scooters or small motorcycles up to 125 cc (that is Category A1).
- And it is not about slow vehicles up to 45 km/h (Categories F and M).
B1 targets a very specific group of vehicles: light three-wheeled motor vehicles and small motor vehicles that go faster than 45 km/h but stay below the threshold for classic cars. Which specific model legally falls under B1 always follows from the vehicle registration document. When in doubt, ask the Road Traffic Office before buying.
Which vehicles can I drive with B1?
The Category B1 driving license covers a clearly defined group of vehicles. What matters is always what is written in the vehicle registration document — not what «looks like a car» or «looks like a motorcycle» on the street.
| Vehicle type | Permitted with B1? | Key conditions | Typical example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small motor vehicle | Yes | As defined by the VZV, unladen weight max. 670 kg. | Light four-wheeled motor vehicles below the car threshold. |
| Three-wheeled motor vehicle | Yes | Unladen weight max. 670 kg. | Certain three-wheeled vehicles (e.g. trike constructions) within the scope of Swiss registration. |
| Classic passenger car (Cat. B) | No | Even if the vehicle were lighter than 670 kg: B1 does not entitle you to Category B vehicles. | Standard passenger cars. |
| Motorcycle / scooter (Cat. A1, A 35 kW, A) | No | B1 is not a motorcycle category. | 125 cc scooter, classic motorcycle. |
| Category F / M | Not via B1 | Separate categories for vehicles up to 45 km/h and mopeds. | Slow motor vehicles, mopeds. |
What is decisive is always the entry in the vehicle registration document and the current version of the VZV. The examples above serve as orientation and do not replace official information from the cantonal Road Traffic Office.
B1 vs. B, A1, F and M — what is the difference?
«Do I need B1 or actually B?» — that is the most common question. Here is the overview.
| Category | For what? | Minimum age | What can I drive with it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | Light motor vehicles and three-wheeled motor vehicles | 18 | Light motor vehicles and three-wheeled motor vehicles up to 670 kg unladen weight. |
| B | Passenger car («car») | 18 | Classic passenger cars up to 3,500 kg gross weight. Generally includes B1. |
| A1 | Small motorcycle / scooter | 16 | Motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW; depending on date and variant. Not B1 vehicles. |
| F | Slow motor vehicles | 14 / 16 (depending on variant) | Motor vehicles with a design top speed of up to 45 km/h. Not B1 vehicles. |
| M | Moped | 14 | Motorized bicycles up to 30 km/h. Not B1 vehicles. |
Specific age limits and the scope of each category can have special cases. What is decisive is the VZV in its current version.
Requirements for the B1 learner’s permit
In Switzerland the path to the B1 learner’s permit follows a clear pattern. You need to meet these points.
Minimum age 18 years
You can obtain the Category B1 learner’s permit at the earliest from age 18.
Eye test
Before submitting the application you need to take an eye test — for example at an optician. The result is confirmed on a form.
First-aid course
A valid first-aid certificate (10 hours) is mandatory. At the time of the application the course must not be older than 6 years.
Application at the Road Traffic Office
With the eye test, first-aid certificate, proof of identity, and a photo, you submit the application to the cantonal Road Traffic Office of your canton of residence.
Basic theory test
Before the learner’s permit you sit the basic theory test — unless you already hold a category that covers it (e.g. A1).
Traffic Awareness Course (VKU)
The eight-hour Traffic Awareness Course is a prerequisite for the practical test. Holders of Category A1 are usually exempt. Important: from 01.01.2027 the order changes — the VKU must then be completed before the theory test.
Cantonal fees and administrative details differ. Binding information is provided by the cantonal Road Traffic Office of your canton of residence.
Can I drive alone with the B1 learner’s permit?
One of the most frequently asked questions — and one of the most important to answer.
Yes: the Category B1 learner’s permit generally entitles you to drive alone. Unlike the Category B learner’s permit, you do not need a supervising driver sitting next to you at all times. To be ready to go, however, all requirements must be met (learner’s permit issued, basic theory passed, vehicle correctly registered and insured).
What «being allowed to drive alone» does not mean: that a first drive without practice is easy. Especially when switching to a new, unfamiliar vehicle — visibility, brakes, vehicle dimensions, traffic — many people quickly reach their limits.
Get started safely — with DriveLab
You can book a driving lesson at DriveLab and write in the comments field that you will come with your own B1 vehicle. On request a driving instructor can pick you up so that you do not have to start alone the first time.
How the B1 test works
The practical B1 test is conducted by the cantonal Road Traffic Office. Its key elements are clearly defined.
Preparation
Build up driving experience — ideally on the same vehicle that you will drive at the test. Get used to acceleration, braking, steering behavior, visibility, and turning.
Test vehicle
Required is a light motor vehicle or three-wheeled motor vehicle with max. 670 kg unladen weight and at least a 60 km/h top speed (VZV, Annex 12). The vehicle must be roadworthy and correctly registered.
Drive in traffic
The examiner accompanies you and assesses safe driving, traffic observation, speed, lane choice, adaptation to the situation, and anticipatory behavior.
Common mistakes
Going too fast in unclear situations, insufficient shoulder check, poor lane choice at roundabouts, untidy braking before obstacles, missing observation when pulling out.
Checklist before the test
- Vehicle registration and insurance valid.
- Lights, brake light, indicators, horn, and tires checked.
- Learner’s permit and proof of identity with you.
- Visual check inside the vehicle: mirrors, seating position, seat belt (if present).
- Aim to reach the meeting point at the Road Traffic Office in good time, plan some buffer.
The points above are a practical orientation. They replace neither the official requirements of the cantonal Road Traffic Office nor the instructions of the examiner.
What does Category B1 cost?
B1 is cheaper than a car driving license — but the costs are spread across several items. Concrete franc amounts vary by canton, provider, and personal preparation.
| Cost item | What is included? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Eye test | Optician or eye doctor | One-time item. |
| First-aid course | 10 hours of life-saving emergency measures | Validity: 6 years. |
| Application & learner’s permit | Fees at the Road Traffic Office | Varies by canton. |
| Basic theory test | Theory test at the Road Traffic Office | Retakes incur additional fees. |
| Traffic Awareness Course (VKU) | 8 hours, generally mandatory | Not required if a relevant category (e.g. A1) is already held. |
| Optional driving lessons | e.g. first drive, maneuvers, test preparation | Bookable at DriveLab — possible with your own vehicle. |
| Practical test | Fee at the Road Traffic Office | Retakes incur additional fees. |
The exact amounts are set by the Road Traffic Office, course providers, and driving schools. A serious flat-rate estimate is not possible — still, plan for several hundred francs in preparation costs for B1.
When is a B1 driving lesson worth it?
Even without an obligation, there are many good reasons to take at least one professional B1 driving lesson.
First drive with your own vehicle
Start accompanied instead of alone — get safely familiar with the unfamiliar vehicle, without stress.
Uncertainty in traffic
Lane choice, roundabouts, highway on-ramps, heavy traffic in Zürich, Zug, or Luzern — a driving instructor gives immediate feedback.
Practice maneuvers in a targeted way
Turning, reversing, parking — exactly what is typically asked for at the test.
Test preparation
One or two lessons before the practical test help a lot: you drive the routes, you know the tricky spots, and you know what the examiner pays attention to.
City traffic
Driving in city centers is demanding. Accompanied lessons are particularly worth it here.
Getting used to vehicle dimensions
B1 vehicles drive differently from a car. Visibility, braking distance, acceleration — all of this needs to be worked through cleanly once.
How to book your B1 driving lesson
Book online and write in the comments field that you will come with your own B1 vehicle. If you do not want to start alone, note that too — on request a driving instructor can pick you up.
Category B1 in 6 steps
This is what the path from «I am considering B1» to a successfully obtained license actually looks like.
First-aid course
If your first-aid certificate has expired or you never completed one: do it now.
Eye test & application
Take the eye test and submit the application for the B1 learner’s permit at the Road Traffic Office.
Basic theory test
Study the theory and sit the test at the Road Traffic Office (not required if you already hold a suitable category).
B1 learner’s permit
Once you pass the theory, the learner’s permit is issued — with the right to drive alone under the VZV.
VKU & practice / driving lessons
Complete the Traffic Awareness Course (if required) and gather driving experience. If needed, book a driving lesson with DriveLab.
Practical test
Registration via the Road Traffic Office. Once you pass the test, the Category B1 driving license is issued.
Frequently asked questions about Category B1
What can I drive with Category B1?
Is B1 the same as a car driving license (Category B)?
Can I drive alone with the B1 learner's permit?
Do I need driving lessons for Category B1?
Which vehicle do I need for the B1 test?
How heavy can a B1 vehicle be?
Is B1 included in Category B?
Do I need VKU (Traffic Awareness Course) for B1?
How long is the B1 learner's permit valid?
Can I book a B1 driving lesson at DriveLab?
What should I write in the comments field when booking?
Can a driving instructor pick me up for the first drive?
Ready for your first safe drive with the B1 vehicle?
Book online and write in the comments field that you will come with your own vehicle. If you do not want to start alone the first time, a pick-up by the driving instructor can be organized.
Legal basis: Road Traffic Licensing Ordinance (VZV, SR 741.51) in conjunction with the amendment
AS 2024 31
(in force since 01.04.2024). Binding information is provided by the cantonal Road Traffic Office of your canton of residence.
Last review of this page: 2026-05-07.