Swiss Driving Glossary

A

ASTRA

Bundesamt für Strassen / Office fédéral des routes

The Federal Roads Office - the Swiss federal authority responsible for national road policy, regulations, and infrastructure. They set the rules that cantonal authorities enforce.

astra.admin.ch

Autoroute

Highway / Motorway

Swiss highways with a speed limit of 120 km/h. Requires a valid vignette (toll sticker). Keep right except when overtaking - this is strictly enforced.

C

Contrôle des habitants

Residents' Registration Office

The municipal office where you must register within 14 days of moving to Switzerland. Your registration date starts your 12-month countdown to exchange your driving license.

Course de contrôle

Control drive / Verification test

The practical driving test required for exchanging a non-EU driving license for a Swiss license. Unlike a full driving test for new drivers, this exam assumes you already know how to drive and verifies your ability to adapt to Swiss rules. Duration: approximately 45 minutes. Cannot be retaken if failed - you must then complete the full Swiss licensing process.

Complete guide to the course de contrôle

Cours de sensibilisation

Traffic awareness course / Verkehrskundeunterricht (VKU)

An 8-hour mandatory course covering traffic safety, awareness, and psychology. Required for new drivers and those who fail the course de contrôle. Cost: approximately CHF 200.

F

Form 220

Demande de permis de conduire

The official application form for a Swiss driving license. Available from the cantonal motor vehicle authority (SAN in Vaud). Requires an eye test certificate and passport photos.

L

L-plates

Plaques "L" / L-Schilder

Blue "L" plates that learner drivers must display on their vehicle. Required when driving with a learner's permit (permis d'élève). Must be visible on the rear of the vehicle.

O

OAC

Ordonnance réglant l'admission des personnes et des véhicules à la circulation routière

The Swiss ordinance governing driver licensing regulations. This legal framework defines requirements for obtaining and exchanging driving licenses.

P

Passage piéton

Pedestrian crossing / Zebra crossing

Marked pedestrian crossings where pedestrians have absolute priority. You must stop if a pedestrian is waiting to cross, not just when they're already crossing. Fine for not stopping: CHF 140. Automatic exam failure if ignored.

Permis d'élève

Learner's permit

A provisional permit that allows you to practice driving with a licensed supervisor. Required if you fail the course de contrôle and must restart the licensing process.

Permis de conduire

Driving license

The French term for driving license. In Switzerland, this is a credit-card sized document issued by cantonal authorities. Valid throughout Switzerland and for driving in most countries.

Priorité de droite

Priority from the right

A fundamental Swiss traffic rule: on secondary roads (without priority signs), vehicles approaching from the right have priority. Important: This rule does NOT apply on main roads marked with the yellow diamond sign (⬧). Learning to recognize main vs. secondary roads is critical for the exam.

Learn more about Swiss road rules

Priority road sign

Route prioritaire / Hauptstrasse

The yellow diamond sign (⬧) indicates you are on a main road and have priority over traffic from side roads. When you see this sign, priorité de droite does NOT apply - you have the right of way.

R

Rond-point

Roundabout / Kreisverkehr

A circular intersection where traffic already in the roundabout always has priority. You must yield to traffic from the left before entering. Use your right indicator when exiting. This is opposite to the rules in some countries (Russia, Iran, China) where entering traffic may have priority.

S

SAN

Service des automobiles et de la navigation

The cantonal motor vehicle authority in Canton Vaud. Responsible for driving licenses, vehicle registration, and administering the course de contrôle. Located in Lausanne (Av. du Grey 110).

vd.ch/san

Secours routier

First aid course

A 10-hour first aid course (Nothelferkurs/cours de samaritains) required for new drivers. Not required for the course de contrôle, but mandatory if you fail and must restart the licensing process.

T

Théorie

Theory test

The written/computer-based exam testing knowledge of Swiss traffic rules. Not required for the course de contrôle, but mandatory if you fail and must restart the licensing process. Cost: CHF 40. Available in multiple languages.

Tram

Tramway / Strassenbahn

Trams have priority in most situations in Swiss cities. Never block tram tracks, and always yield to trams. Passing a stopped tram (when passengers are boarding/alighting) requires extreme caution.

Z

Zone 30

30 km/h zone

Residential areas with a 30 km/h speed limit. Priorité de droite typically applies in these zones. Characterized by minimal signage - you must be alert for traffic from the right at every intersection.