Driver’s license check: Category D1 or D?
Which driver's license and category do you need for which bus? Here are the answers.
Credit card-sized driver's license (FAK)
Overview of vehicles and required ID category:
Category B: Passenger cars & minibuses up to 8+1 seats
Cat. D1: Minibuses up to 16+1 seats
Cat. D: Buses with more than 16+1 seats
Cat. E: Trailers over 750kg total weight, for light trailers up to 750kg you do not need a category on your license.
Additions & Notes
Code: 106 For minibuses used in domestic traffic with more than 17 seats. NOTE: This code does not apply to buses with a gross vehicle weight over 3.5 t (buses over 3.5 t are not minibuses but passenger vehicles).
3.5t: The minibus must not exceed a total weight of 3.5 tons. Our rental buses with up to 17 seats are up to 3.5 tons.
light trailers: Small trailers up to 750kg total weight do not require an entry in the driver’s license.
Anyone who obtained a driver's license before 2003 received the D1 'for free.' If you still have the old blue license, we recommend converting it to the FAK. Then you'll also receive the D1 category for free. The conversion can be done at the cantonal road traffic office. Costs approximately CHF 75.
Old blue driving license (paper)
Overview of vehicles and required ID category:
Category B: Passenger cars & minibuses up to 16+1 seats
Cat. D1+D2: Minibuses up to 16+1 seats
Cat. D: Buses with more than 16+1 seats
Cat. E: Trailers over 750kg total weight, for light trailers up to 750kg you do not need a category on your license.
In the EU, this card is not permitted on buses with more than 9 seats. Please have the card exchanged for the new credit card format.
Additions & Notes
In Switzerland In any case, you are allowed to drive minibuses with up to 16+1 seats with the old blue license. The total weight limit is 3.5 tons, even if it doesn't mention D1 or D2.
For the EU: Only the new FAK with category D1 is valid. D2 is not internationally recognized.
→ Therefore, it is essential to have your driving licence converted from the old format to the new FAK format for the EU (Cantonal Motor Vehicle Inspection, costs CHF 75.-).
Small trailers up to 750kg total weight do not require an entry in the driver’s license.
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