Swiss Category C Theory (Truck) cheat sheet

VRV/OCR Art. 3: maximum speed on motorways is 80 km/h for trucks over 3.5 t; outside built-up areas 80 km/h unless a lower sign is posted.

SVG/LCR Art. 27: in built-up areas the general limit is 50 km/h; trucks over 3.5 t are subject to this limit unless a lower limit applies.

SVG/LCR Art. 32: the driver must be able to stop within the distance visible ahead; at night or in fog, speed must be reduced so that stopping distance does not exceed the illuminated or visible distance.

VRV/OCR Art. 14: minimum following distance in metres equals half the speed in km/h (e.g. 80 km/h → 40 m); this applies to all vehicles, including trucks.

VRV/OCR Art. 17: on motorways, trucks over 3.5 t must use the right-hand lane; overtaking is allowed only if the centre lane is free and the manoeuvre can be completed safely.

Signals: a red light means stop before the stop line; a flashing amber light means proceed with caution and give way to pedestrians; a green arrow allows turning only in the direction indicated after yielding to oncoming traffic.

Markings: a continuous white line may not be crossed; a broken white line may be crossed for overtaking if visibility and traffic allow; yellow zigzag lines indicate a bus stop where stopping is prohibited.

SVG/LCR Art. 90: the driver must give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing; approaching vehicles must stop if a pedestrian is waiting or already on the crossing.

VRV/OCR Art. 12: parking is prohibited within 5 m of a junction, on pedestrian crossings, and on bus stops; trucks may not park on motorways except in designated rest areas.

Air brake system: pressure must be at least 5.5 bar before driving; a warning buzzer sounds below this; the system must be drained daily to remove condensate.

Tyres: minimum tread depth for trucks is 1.6 mm in the main grooves; tyre pressure must be checked cold and adjusted according to the manufacturer's load/pressure table.

Load securing: the required lashing capacity (LC) is calculated as mass × acceleration coefficient (0.8 g forward, 0.5 g sideways/rearward) minus friction; use certified straps and check tension regularly.

Fifth wheel coupling: check that the kingpin is fully engaged and the locking lever is secured; perform a visual check and a pull test after coupling.

Retarder/engine brake: use on long descents to reduce service brake fade; the retarder is most effective at high engine speed and must be switched off on slippery surfaces if it causes wheel slip.

Anti-lock braking system (ABS): prevents wheel lock-up during braking; keep continuous pressure on the brake pedal during emergency braking; ABS does not shorten stopping distance on all surfaces (e.g. loose gravel).

AdBlue system: reduces NOx emissions; if the AdBlue tank is empty, the engine may derate power; use only certified AdBlue (ISO 22241) and never dilute with water.

Tyre load index and speed rating: must meet or exceed the axle load and maximum speed of the vehicle; never fit tyres with a lower load index than specified by the manufacturer.

Daily walk-around check: include lights, tyres, brake lines, load security, mirrors, and warning devices; record defects and do not drive if safety-critical defects are found.

Braking distance formula: d = v² / (2 × a), where v is speed in m/s and a is deceleration in m/s²; at 80 km/h (22.2 m/s) with a = 5 m/s², d ≈ 49 m.

Total stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance; reaction distance = v × t, with t typically 1 second (e.g. at 80 km/h: 22.2 m).

Mass effect: doubling the mass doubles the kinetic energy (E = ½mv²) and thus the braking distance if braking force is limited by tyre friction; however, with adequate braking force, deceleration is mass-independent, but load transfer and brake capacity often increase distance in practice.

Centrifugal force: Fc = (m × v²) / r; increasing speed doubles the force if speed doubles, quadrupling it; reduce speed before curves, especially with high centre of gravity.

Aquaplaning: occurs when water depth exceeds tread depth and speed is high; tyre contact is lost; remedy: ease off accelerator, do not brake hard, hold steering steady until grip returns.

Jack-knife risk: when the tractor brakes more than the trailer, the trailer can push the tractor; ensure brake compatibility, use retarder gently, and avoid sudden braking on slippery surfaces.

Load centre of gravity: high centre of gravity increases rollover risk in curves; secure heavy loads low and centred; observe axle load limits.

Speed and impact: impact force increases with the square of speed; at 50 km/h the impact is equivalent to falling from a height of about 10 m; at 80 km/h, about 25 m.

Mirror scanning: check mirrors every 5–8 seconds and before any change of direction; use the MSM routine (Mirror–Signal–Manoeuvre).

Following distance: maintain at least a 2-second gap in good conditions; in rain or at night, double it; for trucks, the half-speed rule (metres = km/h ÷ 2) is a legal minimum.

Blind spots: large vehicles have significant blind spots; use mirrors and camera systems; always check the blind spot over the shoulder before changing lanes.

Anticipation: look 12–15 seconds ahead; identify potential hazards such as junctions, parked vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists; adjust speed early.

Overtaking: ensure clear road ahead, check mirrors, signal, and accelerate decisively; abort if unsure; never overtake on bends, hills, or where prohibited by signs/markings.

Speed adaptation: reduce speed in rain, fog, snow, and at night; use headlights in rain; in fog, use fog lights only when visibility is below 50 m.

Eco-driving: accelerate smoothly, maintain steady speed, use cruise control where appropriate, anticipate traffic lights, and avoid unnecessary idling; this reduces fuel consumption and emissions.

Emergency braking: brake firmly and progressively; keep steering control; ABS allows steering during braking; do not pump the brake pedal.

Swiss maximum authorised dimensions: width 2.55 m (refrigerated vehicles 2.60 m), height 4.00 m, length 18.75 m for articulated vehicles, 18.75 m for road trains; longer combinations may require special permit.

Maximum authorised mass (MAM): 40 t for a 5-axle articulated vehicle; 44 t for a 5-axle combination with two axles on the tractor and three on the trailer, provided the drive axle has twin tyres and road-friendly suspension.

Axle load limits: drive axle 11.5 t (with twin tyres and air suspension), other axles 10 t; total axle loads must not exceed MAM.

Overloading: exceeding MAM or axle loads is an offence; fines increase with the degree of overload; the vehicle may be prohibited from continuing until the load is reduced.

Load distribution: distribute load evenly; heavy items over the axles; secure load to prevent shifting; observe the vehicle's load plan.

Load securing: use certified lashings; the number of lashings depends on the load weight and friction; minimum lashing capacity (LC) = (load mass × acceleration) / (friction coefficient) × safety factor.

Height: maximum 4.00 m; drivers must know their vehicle height and check clearance under bridges and tunnels; height indicators are often posted.

Weight checks: use weighbridges; keep the weighbridge ticket; overloaded vehicles can be fined and forced to unload.

Daily driving time: maximum 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice per week; total weekly driving time: 56 hours; total over two consecutive weeks: 90 hours.

Breaks: after 4.5 hours driving, take a 45-minute break, which can be split into 15 minutes + 30 minutes; breaks must be taken in that order.

Daily rest: regular daily rest is 11 hours; reduced daily rest is 9 hours (maximum 3 times between weekly rests); rest can be split into 3 hours + 9 hours.

Weekly rest: regular weekly rest is 45 hours; reduced weekly rest is 24 hours, but compensation must be taken before the end of the third week following.

Tachograph: use a digital tachograph card; insert card at start of shift; record all activities (driving, other work, availability, rest); manual entries must be made when required.

Tachograph records: keep records for at least 28 days; produce on request; data must be downloaded every 90 days for digital tachographs.

ARV/OTR: Swiss rules align with EU Regulation 561/2006; exceptions for certain vehicles (e.g. agricultural, emergency) may apply; check national provisions.

Enforcement: violations of driving time and rest periods can lead to fines and licence suspension; the tachograph is used as evidence.

ADR/SDR: dangerous goods are classified into 9 classes (e.g. class 3 flammable liquids, class 8 corrosives); transport requires proper documentation, labelling, and equipment.

Driver training: ADR drivers must hold a valid ADR certificate for the classes carried; refresher training every 5 years.

Vehicle marking: orange plates (danger signs) must be displayed on the front and rear when carrying dangerous goods; the UN number and hazard identification number are shown.

Safety equipment: fire extinguishers (at least 2 kg for cab, 6 kg for load), warning triangle, high-visibility vest, torch, and spill kit must be carried.

Special loads: abnormal loads (oversize/overweight) require a special permit; escort may be required; check route for clearance and weight restrictions.

Load securing for dangerous goods: packages must be secured against movement; use appropriate lashings; ensure compatibility of goods (no mixing of incompatible substances).

Emergency procedures: in case of accident, stop, secure the scene, call emergency services, inform them of the dangerous goods involved, and use the Tremcard (transport emergency card).

Tunnel restrictions: dangerous goods may be prohibited from certain tunnels; observe tunnel category signs (e.g. category B prohibits flammable liquids).

Scene safety: on approaching an accident, park safely, switch on hazard lights, wear high-visibility vest, place warning triangle at least 50 m behind (100 m on motorways).

First aid: check responsiveness, call emergency services (144 in Switzerland), perform CPR if trained (30 compressions : 2 breaths), control bleeding, do not move injured persons unless in danger.

Vehicle fire: switch off engine, evacuate occupants, call fire brigade, use fire extinguisher only on small fires (e.g. engine compartment) from upwind; never open a bonnet fully if fire is suspected.

Fire extinguisher: use PASS technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep); only fight small fires; ensure escape route is clear.

Emergency call: provide location, number of casualties, type of incident, and dangerous goods information; stay on line until instructed.

Breakdown on motorway: pull onto hard shoulder, switch on hazard lights, place warning triangle 100 m behind, wait behind barrier; use emergency phones.

Accident reporting: exchange details with other parties; complete European accident report; notify police if injuries or significant damage.

Prevention: maintain safe following distance, avoid distractions, check blind spots, and adapt speed to conditions.

Eco-driving: smooth acceleration and deceleration, use highest gear possible, maintain steady speed, anticipate traffic flow to avoid unnecessary braking.

Idling: switch off engine during long waits (more than 2 minutes) to reduce fuel consumption and emissions; modern engines do not need warming up.

Tyre pressure: correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance and fuel consumption; check weekly.

Air resistance: use roof deflectors and keep windows closed at high speed; remove unnecessary roof racks.

Route planning: plan route to avoid congestion, use navigation systems with traffic information, combine trips.

Fuel-saving speed: fuel consumption increases significantly above 80 km/h; driving at 80 km/h instead of 90 km/h can save up to 10% fuel.

Maintenance: regular servicing ensures engine efficiency; clogged filters increase fuel consumption.

Alternative fuels: consider electric or hybrid trucks for urban deliveries; use AdBlue correctly to reduce NOx emissions.

Category C: vehicles over 3.5 t (except category D); minimum age 18; requires medical certificate and theory/practical tests.

Category C1: vehicles between 3.5 t and 7.5 t; minimum age 18.

Category D: buses; requires category C or C1 first; minimum age 21.

Medical fitness: drivers must undergo periodic medical examinations (every 5 years until age 50, then every 3 years, then annually after 65) to confirm fitness.

Eyesight: visual acuity must be at least 0.5 in both eyes (with correction); field of vision at least 120 degrees.

Alcohol limit: 0.5‰ blood alcohol concentration (0.25 mg/l breath) for professional drivers; zero tolerance for novice drivers (first 3 years).

Drugs and medication: driving under influence of drugs or impairing medication is prohibited; some medications require a doctor's advice.

Reporting obligations: drivers must report any medical condition that affects driving ability; failure to do so can lead to licence withdrawal.