Control drive / refresher

Do you need to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Swiss driving licence? Or would you like to feel more confident behind the wheel again after a longer break from driving?

At Driving School Gabi Senn, you’ll get calm, patient and focused preparation. Whether it’s a control drive, a refresher lesson or a single practice lesson: you train exactly the situations that matter to you.

Depending on what we agree, driving lessons are possible in Zurich West, Zurich Altstetten, Albisrieden, Triemli, as well as in the Limmattal with Dietikon, Glanzenberg, Schlieren and Urdorf.

Control drive when exchanging a foreign driving licence

If you move to Switzerland with a foreign driving licence, you generally have to exchange it for a Swiss driving licence within 12 months of your date of entry.

Depending on which country your driving licence is from, a control drive may be required. This checks whether you can drive safely in Swiss road traffic and know the most important traffic rules.

Please always clarify the exact requirements directly with the responsible Road Traffic Office.

When is a control drive possible or required?

A control drive may be required when exchanging a foreign driving licence.

This may be relevant, for example, if:

• you have a foreign driving licence
• you have newly taken up residence in Switzerland
• your driving licence cannot be exchanged without a test
• the Road Traffic Office orders a control drive

Important: The conditions depend on the country of origin of the driving licence and the decision of the Road Traffic Office.

Preparation for the control drive

The control drive is not a normal driving lesson, but a simplified practical test.

It checks whether you:

• drive safely and with foresight
• know the Swiss traffic rules
• assess traffic situations correctly
• behave safely in city traffic, on main roads and in challenging situations
• control the vehicle responsibly and with confidence

From experience, it makes sense to take a few focused driving lessons before the control drive. This helps you familiarise yourself with Swiss traffic rules, typical test situations and the local driving style.

Important information about the control drive

A control drive can usually only be taken once.

If you do not pass the control drive, this may mean that the foreign driving licence will not be exchanged and further steps will be required.

So, clarify in advance with the Road Traffic Office which requirements apply to your personal situation.

Refresher lessons for more confidence

Haven’t driven a car for a long time? Was your practical test a long time ago? Or do you no longer feel safe in certain traffic situations?

That’s nothing to be ashamed of.

A refresher lesson helps you regain confidence behind the wheel and practise difficult situations in a targeted way.

What can you practise in a refresher lesson?

In a refresher lesson, you train exactly what makes you feel unsure in everyday driving.

Possible topics include:

• parking in a multi-storey car park
• driving in roundabouts
• city traffic
• Motorway driving
• lane changes
• Driving in Zurich West
• Driving in the Limmattal
• Using modern driver assistance systems
• Safe driving in heavy traffic

You decide where you want to gain more confidence.

Meeting points for the control drive and refresher lessons

Depending on what we agree, we can meet at various locations:

• Dietikon Train Station
• Glanzenberg station
• Schlieren Station
• Urdorf station
• Zurich Altstetten
• Albisrieden
• Triemli
• Zurich West

This way, you can start your driving lesson where it’s convenient for you.

Depending on the goal of the lesson, we then drive to suitable practice areas, for example to Zurich, around the Zurich Albisgütli test area or Regensdorf, as well as into other traffic situations that are important for your safety and routine.