Category B Driving Test Switzerland: Process, Test Content and Check
The practical car test does not check whether you memorised a route. It checks whether you prepare the vehicle, make independent decisions in traffic, observe safely and perform manoeuvres under control. This curriculum translates the category B test requirements into plain language.
Updated: 28 May 2026
Including greeting and debrief; the driving part and manoeuvres last at least 45 minutes.
You need a valid category B or B1 learner permit and a completed traffic-awareness course.
A category B motor vehicle, up to 3500 kg and up to eight passenger seats, capable of at least 120 km/h.
Vehicle control, observation sequence, foresight, priority and calm decisions matter most.
What the practical car test checks
The PDF is not published. The relevant points from guideline no. 7 are translated here into a clear category B curriculum.
1. Before driving
- Learner permit and traffic-awareness course must be valid or completed.
- Seat, mirrors, belt, head restraint and doors are adjusted and checked correctly.
- Tyres, brakes, steering, lights, indicators, horn and fluids may be checked by sample.
- Driver assistance systems and vehicle-specific settings are used sensibly and safely.
2. Moving the vehicle
- Starting from a parked position and in traffic without unnecessary obstruction.
- Starting, shifting or operating automatic transmission, stopping and securing on flat roads, gradients and descents.
- Controlling the car on straight roads and at narrow points.
- Using transmission, recuperation or electric drive appropriately for the situation.
3. Handling traffic situations
- Approaching, assessing and crossing junctions and entries.
- Turning left and right, changing lanes and choosing lanes with the correct observation sequence.
- Handling stop signs, give-way situations and roundabouts repeatedly and safely.
- Considering special road sections such as pedestrian crossings, level crossings, tram and bus stops.
4. Rural roads and motorway
- Driving safely on main and secondary roads that allow 80 km/h.
- Passing parked, stopped or slower vehicles and overtaking where possible and sensible.
- Motorway: entering correctly, keeping distance, overtaking where needed and sensible, exiting correctly.
- Assessing speed, acceleration, available space and visibility with foresight at all times.
5. Manoeuvres
- At least two special manoeuvres are tested by sample.
- Reversing straight, in curves or when turning at junctions.
- Turning the vehicle using forward and reverse gears.
- Parking parallel, angled or perpendicular and leaving a parking space, including gradients or descents.
- Stopping precisely, possible emergency braking around 50 km/h and securing the vehicle against rolling away and theft.
6. Assessment
- The examiner looks for safe vehicle control and response to instructions.
- Observation sequence, observation technique and foresight are explicitly relevant.
- Other road users must not be endangered or unnecessarily obstructed.
- After small mistakes, what matters is whether you correct calmly and continue under control.
What matters in real driving
Test readiness means repeatability
One good lesson is not enough. You are test-ready when you handle the same situations reliably on different days: priority, observation, speed, positioning, motorway, parking and corrections.
The route is only the training field
Test areas have typical situations, but the test is not a memorised loop. What matters is transferring rules and observation to unfamiliar variants.
Manoeuvres are safety tasks
Parking, turning or reversing does not need to be perfect on the first try. First comes all-round observation, then calm movement, then correction without haste and without unnecessary obstruction.
Assistance systems help only if you control them
The examiner can decide situationally about the use of driver assistance systems. You should know what is active, what the system can do and when you remain responsible.
The final lesson is not a rescue mission
Shortly before the test, stabilise routines. New topics, rushed catch-up and constant coaching increase pressure. A simulation with a calm debrief is more useful.
Small mistakes do not automatically end the test
An imperfect parking attempt or nervous moment can be correctable. It becomes critical when it creates danger, unnecessary obstruction or loss of control.
Assistance does not replace all-round observation
Lane assist, parking sensors, reversing camera or cruise control can help. In the test, you still need to show mirrors, shoulder checks, all-round observation and your own decisions at priority and hazards.
Prepare Tesla and modern cars deliberately
Recuperation, cameras, sensors and warning displays are only an advantage when they are familiar. Before the test, know which systems are active, where their limits are and how to take over calmly at any time.
The test starts before the first metre
Use this before the next lesson
The list is intentionally concrete: each point can be observed during a lesson or private supervised drive.
- Adjust seat, mirrors, belt, head restraint and doors correctly without help
- Explain tyres, lights, indicators, brakes, steering and fluids at a basic level
- Use mirror, signal and shoulder check automatically before every lane change
- Handle stop signs, give-way, priority from the right and roundabouts calmly and repeatedly
- Drive rural 80 km/h roads with foresight, lane discipline and correct distance
- Motorway: master entry, distance, overtaking and exit safely
- Reverse, turn and park with all-round observation and calm corrections
- Start, stop and secure the car on gradients and descents
- Know driver assistance systems and do not rely on them blindly
- After a mistake, stay mentally in the next traffic moment
- Know the limits of camera, sensors and lane assist
- Use reversing camera or parking sensors only with visible all-round observation
- Classify warnings calmly and remain responsible yourself
- Master Tesla operation and recuperation before the test
Are you ready for a simulation?
Tick only points you have shown repeatedly without coaching during lessons or supervised private practice.
Common questions
How long does the category B practical test take?
The guideline states at least 60 minutes including greeting and debrief. The driving part and manoeuvres together last at least 45 minutes.
Which manoeuvres can appear in the category B test?
At least two manoeuvres are tested by sample. These include reversing, turning, parking, precise stopping, possible emergency braking and securing the vehicle.
Can motorway driving be tested?
Motorway driving can be part of the test where available and sensible. Entry, distance, lane choice, overtaking and exit matter.
What if a parking manoeuvre does not work immediately?
A correction is not automatically a problem. It becomes critical if you correct without all-round observation, unnecessarily obstruct others or become rushed.
May I use driver assistance systems?
The examiner can decide situationally. You should know the systems, operate them correctly and remain fully responsible at all times.
Do I need to bring the test-guideline PDF?
No. The PDF is not published here and is not intended for learners. The relevant content is summarised in this curriculum in plain language.
Is a Tesla a disadvantage for the driving test?
No, if you control the vehicle safely. Recuperation, operation and displays must be familiar enough not to distract you.
Official and specialist sources
Turn the guide into practice
A focused lesson turns general advice into concrete routines in your test area.