Swiss Category D Theory (Bus) cheat sheet

Priority rule at unmarked junctions (rechts vor links): in the absence of signals or signs, the vehicle approaching from the right has right of way; a bus leaving a marked bus stop does not thereby gain priority.

Swiss speed limits for buses: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside built-up areas, 100 km/h on motorways; a bus with trailer or a vehicle combination is limited to 80 km/h outside built-up areas.

Minimum following distance outside built-up areas: half the speedometer value in metres (e.g. 80 km/h → 40 m); inside built-up areas the rule of thumb is the 'two-second gap'.

Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, on level crossings, and where visibility is insufficient; a bus may never overtake another bus at a stop where passengers are boarding or alighting.

Stopping and parking: prohibited within 5 m of a pedestrian crossing, within 10 m of a junction (measured from the extended kerb line), and on bus stops reserved for scheduled services.

Warning-signal (horn) use is permitted only to avert immediate danger; at night in built-up areas use headlamp flasher instead of horn.

Bus lanes (Spur für Linienbusse) may be used only by scheduled services; other buses may use them only if the sign explicitly permits it.

Blue flashing lights and multi-tone horns (Wegehörn) may be used only by vehicles on urgent duty; other road users must give way immediately but must not endanger themselves.

Category D: motor vehicles for passenger transport with more than 8 seats in addition to the driver's seat; a trailer up to 750 kg total weight is allowed.

Category D1: passenger vehicles with 9–16 seats in addition to the driver's seat, trailer up to 750 kg.

Minimum age for category D is 21 years; for D1 it is 21 years; professional drivers of scheduled services additionally need a passenger-transport permit (BPT).

The CZV (Chauffeurzulassungsverordnung) requires 42 hours of further training every 5 years for professional drivers of categories C, D and their subcategories.

A category D licence is valid for 5 years; renewal requires a medical certificate (medical group 2) and, from age 50, periodic medical examinations.

Driving licence categories are shown on the credit-card licence with the corresponding codes; code 95 documents completion of the CZV basic qualification.

A learner driver for category D must hold the theory test pass (valid 2 years) and complete at least 20 hours of practical instruction before the practical test.

Daily walk-around check before first departure: tyres (tread depth ≥ 1.6 mm for cars, ≥ 1.6 mm for buses; visual check for damage and pressure), lights, mirrors, wipers, horn, and fluid levels.

Air-brake system: pressure must reach at least 6 bar before driving; the low-pressure warning must extinguish; perform a leak test by holding the brake pedal and observing pressure drop.

Door interlock: the bus must not be able to move with a passenger door open; check the door-closing warning lamp and the emergency-release function.

Tyre pressure for buses is typically 6–9 bar depending on axle load; under-inflation raises rolling resistance and tyre temperature and can lead to blow-outs.

Retarder / continuous brake (e.g. Voith, Telma): must be functional; it reduces brake fade on long descents and is checked during the daily inspection.

Fire extinguisher and first-aid kit must be present, in date, and accessible; the emergency hammer and roof hatch must be checked for function.

Tachograph (digital): check the card insertion, the time display and the warning messages; a defective tachograph must be reported and the vehicle not used for remunerated transport until repaired.

Braking distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed quadruples the braking distance (reaction distance grows linearly).

Total stopping distance = reaction distance (speed × reaction time) + braking distance; at 50 km/h with 1 s reaction time the reaction distance is about 14 m.

Centrifugal force F = m·v²/r; in a curve the speed must be reduced so that the lateral acceleration stays below about 4 m/s² for passenger comfort and safety.

Permissible total weight for a two-axle bus is 18 t, for a three-axle bus 26 t (Swiss limits under SVG/VRV); axle loads must not exceed the values on the type plate.

Load distribution: heavy luggage belongs in the luggage compartment low and centred; an uneven load raises the centre of gravity and increases roll-over risk in curves.

Passenger weight is calculated at 68 kg per person (including luggage) for load calculations; standing passengers count fully toward the permissible total weight.

On a downgrade, use the retarder and a low gear; continuous braking with the service brake can cause brake fade and overheating.

The passenger-transport permit (BPT) is required for remunerated passenger transport; it is issued by the cantonal authority and tied to the vehicle and the operator.

The driver must ensure that all passengers are seated or hold on before departure and that doors are closed before moving off.

Concession (Konzession) for scheduled services: the timetable is binding; deviations must be reported; the operator must maintain the published service.

The driver may refuse to carry a passenger who is intoxicated, aggressive, or who endangers other passengers; the police may be called.

Lost property must be handed in to the operator's lost-property office; the driver documents the find.

The driver must announce stops and provide information to passengers; accessibility for wheelchair users must be ensured on vehicles so equipped.

Alcohol limit for professional drivers is 0.1‰ (0.01% BAC) in Switzerland; a bus driver may not drive with any measurable alcohol.

Daily driving time: maximum 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice per week (EU/CH rules for professional drivers).

Continuous driving: after 4.5 hours a break of at least 45 minutes is required; the break may be split into 15 min + 30 min.

Daily rest: at least 11 hours within 24 hours; reduced rest of 9 hours is allowed at most three times between two weekly rests.

Weekly rest: at least 45 hours; reduced weekly rest of 24 hours is allowed if compensated by an equivalent rest taken en bloc before the end of the following week.

The tachograph must record all driving, other work, availability and rest; manual entries must be made for periods not recorded automatically.

The driver must carry the tachograph card and be able to produce the last 28 days of records on request.

Night work (23:00–06:00) for professional drivers is regulated by the Labour Act (ArG); compensatory rest and medical checks apply.

Emergency call in Switzerland: 112 (general) and 144 (ambulance); the driver must secure the scene, warn traffic, and call for help.

First aid: check consciousness, breathing and circulation; place an unconscious but breathing casualty in the recovery position; start CPR at 30:2 if not breathing.

Fire in the engine compartment: stop, switch off the engine, evacuate passengers upwind, and use the extinguisher on the source; never open the engine cover fully.

Evacuation: open the doors and emergency exits, use the roof hatch or emergency hammer to break windows if doors are blocked; lead passengers to a safe assembly point.

Warning triangle and warning vest: place the triangle at least 50 m behind the vehicle on motorways (100 m if visibility is poor); wear the vest before leaving the vehicle.

Scene protection: switch on hazard lights, place the triangle, and wear high-visibility clothing; do not move an injured person unless there is a fire risk.

After an accident with personal injury, the driver must stop, give first aid, and inform the police immediately; failure to do so is a criminal offence.

Fuel consumption rises steeply above 80 km/h; driving at 80–90 km/h instead of 100 km/h reduces consumption by roughly 10–15%.

Anticipatory driving (looking 12–15 s ahead) reduces braking and acceleration events and cuts fuel use by up to 10%.

Correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance; under-inflation by 0.5 bar increases fuel consumption by about 2–3%.

Idling for more than about 20 seconds wastes more fuel than restarting the engine; switch off the engine during long waits.

Use the retarder and engine braking on descents; avoid riding the brakes, which wastes energy and overheats the brakes.

Defensive driving: maintain a safety margin, expect errors by others, and adjust speed to visibility and road conditions.

Regular maintenance (air filter, oil, brakes) keeps consumption and emissions low; report defects promptly.

Documents to carry: driving licence, vehicle registration document (Fahrzeugausweis), tachograph card, and the passenger-transport permit (BPT) where required.

Motor third-party liability insurance (Motorfahrzeughaftpflicht) is mandatory; the certificate must be carried or available in the vehicle.

Casco insurance (Teilkasko/Vollkasko) is optional and covers own-vehicle damage; it does not replace liability insurance.

After an accident: stop, secure the scene, exchange details (name, address, insurer, policy number), and complete the European accident report if applicable.

Report any accident with personal injury or significant property damage to the police and to the insurer without delay; late reporting can reduce cover.

The vehicle registration document must be updated when the vehicle is sold or the holder changes; the number plate belongs to the holder, not the vehicle.

Technical inspection (MFK) for buses is required every 2 years; the inspection sticker must be valid and visible.