Overview
The Swiss driving theory exam is run by each canton's road traffic office and is the first step towards a learner's permit. This page uses the canton of St. Gallen's published rules as a worked example. Other cantons follow the same federal structure, but fees, opening times and locations differ, so check your own canton.
Exam pattern
| Exam | Questions | Errors allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Basic theory | 50 (150 points) | 15 error points |
| Category C | 40 | 4 |
| Categories F and G | 40 | 12 |
Basic theory is the exam for car and motorcycle categories. It is also available in German, French and Italian, with English offered for basic theory and shipping exams.
Fees
In St. Gallen the exam fee is CHF 30. Other cantons charge their own fees.
How to apply
In St. Gallen the exam runs on an open-door basis with no appointment, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at four locations. Bring the yellow admission card issued by the canton and valid identification. A vision test, valid for two years, is needed when you first apply for a learner's permit.
After the exam
For road traffic theory exams passed after 1 January 2021, the pass is valid without time limit. There is no waiting period after a fail, but only one exam per category per day is allowed. From 1 January 2027 a traffic education course (VKU) must be completed before taking the theory exam in St. Gallen.
Preparation tips
Practise with the official question set in the language you will sit the exam in.
Remember that a single wrong answer can cost several points, so aim to avoid errors on the heavily weighted questions.
How many errors are allowed in basic theory?
15 error points out of 150, across 50 questions.
How long does a pass remain valid?
For road traffic exams passed after 1 January 2021, validity is unlimited.
Can I take the exam in English?
Yes for basic theory in St. Gallen, as well as German, French and Italian.