Registering for the Theory Test in Switzerland: Process, Documents and Fees by Canton
You register with the road traffic office of your canton of residence, not with your driving school. The process is structured the same way everywhere; the fees and booking routes are not. This page walks you through the four steps and puts the cantons side by side.
In short
You register for the theory test with the road traffic office of your canton of residence — not with your driving school. The prerequisite is a submitted application for the Lernfahrausweis (learner permit) including the eye test and the first-aid certificate. Once admitted, you book the appointment, in most cantons online. The test fee is between CHF 30 and 46 depending on the canton.
Explained in the video
The process in four steps
- 1 Have your eyesight tested Before submitting your application you have your eyesight checked — by a doctor, or by a qualified optometrist or optician with a BSc, in either case practising in Switzerland. Visual acuity, field of vision and eye mobility are examined. At the time of application the eye test must not be more than 24 months old (Art. 9 VZV).
- 2 Attend a first-aid course Anyone registering for the basic theory test for categories A or B, or subcategories A1 or B1, must show proof of a course in life-saving first aid. The certificate must come from a body recognised by ASTRA, and the course must not be more than six years old (Art. 10 VZV).
- 3 Submit the application to the road traffic office You submit the application for the Lernfahrausweis to the licensing authority of your canton of residence. The authority checks whether the requirements are met and then admits you to the theory test (Art. 11 and 11b VZV).
- 4 Book an appointment and sit the test Once admitted you book the test appointment — in most cantons through the office's online counter, otherwise by form or telephone. The test is taken on screen. The result must be communicated to you; a failure must be substantiated, in writing on request (Art. 12a VZV).
What Art. 11 VZV requires
- A completed and truthful application form as per Annex 4 VZV
- Certificate of the first-aid course under Art. 10 VZV (no more than six years old)
- A recent passport photograph, 35 × 45 mm — or digital, where the canton offers this
- Proof of the eye test, no more than 24 months old
- Proof of identity as specified by the canton
You can find a first-aid course through our first-aid course overview, which lists locations, dates and costs.
What the theory test costs in each canton
The test fee is set by each canton and varies by more than half. The table below puts the twelve cantons for which we maintain office pages side by side, with a direct link to the responsible office.
| Canton | Theory test | Exact item | Amt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aargau AG | CHF 30.– | Theorieprüfung (Gruppe) | Office page |
| Basel BS | CHF 46.– | Theorieprüfung (Gruppe, MFP) | Office page |
| Bern BE | CHF 30.– | Theorieprüfung (Basistheorie) | Office page |
| Graubünden GR | CHF 35.– | Theorieprüfung (Gruppentheorie) | Office page |
| Luzern LU | CHF 30.– | Theorieprüfung (in Gruppen) | Office page |
| Schaffhausen SH | CHF 30.– | Theorieprüfung (Gruppe, alle Kategorien) | Office page |
| Schwyz SZ | CHF 30.– | Theorieprüfung | Office page |
| Solothurn SO | CHF 30.– | Theorieprüfung (Basistheorie) | Office page |
| St. Gallen SG | CHF 30.– | Theorieprüfung | Office page |
| Thurgau TG | CHF 35.– | Theorieprüfung (in der Gruppe) | Office page |
| Zug ZG | CHF 30.– | Theorieprüfung (alle Kategorien) | Office page |
| Zürich ZH | CHF 36.– | Theorieprüfung (Basis) | Office page |
Fees according to the cantonal fee ordinances, last checked against the official sources in July 2026. The canton's current ordinance always prevails.
Minimum age and the earliest possible test date
The minimum age is set by Article 6 VZV. For categories B and BE it is 17, for subcategory A1 either 15 or 16 depending on the vehicle, and for categories A, C and CE as well as B1, C1 and C1E it is 18. For special categories G and M the minimum age is 14.
Important for planning: the basic theory test may be taken at the earliest one month before you reach the minimum age (Art. 13 para. 1bis VZV). So if you want to drive a car at 17, you can sit the test roughly one month before your 17th birthday — not earlier.
For practice: our free theory practice test uses the official question catalogue, and Theory test for cars explains what the test covers in substance. This page deliberately covers only the registration route.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I register for the theory test?
With the road traffic office of your canton of residence, not with your driving school. Registration runs through the application for the Lernfahrausweis (learner permit); once admitted you book the test appointment, in most cantons through the office's online counter.
What does the theory test cost?
Between CHF 30 and 46 depending on the canton. Most cantons charge CHF 30; Thurgau and Graubünden charge 35, Zurich 36 and the Basel region 46. The separate fee for the learner permit comes on top.
How long are the eye test and first-aid certificate valid?
At the time of application the eye test must be no more than 24 months old (Art. 9 para. 3 VZV). The first-aid course must be no more than six years old (Art. 10 para. 2 VZV). Both periods run from the date of the test or course, not from the date the certificate was issued.
From what age can I sit the theory test?
At the earliest one month before you reach the minimum age (Art. 13 para. 1bis VZV). For category B the minimum age is 17, so you can sit the test roughly a month before your 17th birthday.
Who may carry out the eye test?
A doctor holding a Swiss or recognised foreign diploma, or a qualified optometrist or optician with a BSc — in both cases practising in Switzerland (Art. 9 para. 1bis VZV). Visual acuity, field of vision and eye mobility are examined.
What happens if I fail the theory test?
The result must be communicated to you and a failure must be substantiated, in writing on request (Art. 12a VZV). To retake it you register again and pay the fee once more; the cantonal waiting periods are set by the office.
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Sources: VZV (SR 741.51), Art. 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12a und 13 — Stand 01.01.2026 · Cantonal fees from the cantons' fee ordinances, last checked in July 2026. This page is not legal advice; the applicable ordinance text always prevails.