This new law will change everything for Swiss drivers

From July, assistance systems and automated driving will be part of the theoretical and practical driving exams. Driving instructor Marc Niklaus explains what this means for him and his students.

Rafael Hüssy / ch media

The National Council and the Council of States adopted a partial revision of the Road Traffic Act (LCR) in spring 2023, establishing the legal bases for automated driving in Switzerland. In December 2024, the Federal Council approved the corresponding ordinance, which will come into force in March.

From then on, drivers of automated vehicles will be able to use autopilot on the highway, provided that the vehicle manufacturer has obtained the necessary authorization. The steering wheel can be released and it will no longer be necessary to constantly monitor the vehicle and traffic. However, the driver must be prepared to regain control of the vehicle if the system requires it.

The use of autonomous vehicles on other routes authorized by the authorities will also be permitted. These vehicles must be monitored by an operator in a central location. In addition, automated parking without human presence will be possible in certain car parks, marked as such. The designation of appropriate zones will be the responsibility of the cantons or municipalities.

Increased workload for driving schools

The legislative change means that assistance and automation systems will be integrated into driving tests from July 2025. For driving instructors, this means additional work. Marc Niklaus, owner of Marc’s Fahrschule in Rothrist (AG), explains:

In his view, to maintain a sufficient level of training, it will probably be necessary to provide more driving lessons, at least until fully autonomous or driverless driving is reliable and flawless. Subsequently, a reduction in the number of lessons could be considered.

However, the Automated Driving Ordinance (Federal Roads Office) specifies that driving training must not be significantly extended or increased in cost. For Marc Niklaus, this is not realistic.

The instructor emphasizes the importance of solid training to improve road safety, for the benefit of all users. He calls for increased support from the authorities and the Swiss Association of Driving Instructors, recalling that the demands placed on students increase with the increasing complexity of traffic and assistance systems.

Understand the functioning and limits of systems

Support systems should be explained in detail to students, and their use should be practiced. These systems do not work in all situations and exist in different forms.

For example, for emergency braking assistant, many questions arise: Does the system brake to a complete stop or do you also have to press the brake pedal yourself? Does it detect pedestrians? How to react in the event of phantom braking, when the vehicle brakes for no apparent reason? Understanding the systems is crucial, according to Marc Niklaus, not just for students, but for all drivers.

Despite the additional workload, Marc Niklaus supports the new rules.

According to the Accident Prevention Bureau (BPA), assistance systems could prevent up to 50% of road accidents. However, these systems are not yet perfect, leading some drivers to use them cautiously or disable them – an approach that Marc Niklaus finds problematic.

An exam duration still suitable?

With the integration of assistance systems into exams, Marc Niklaus questions the relevance of the current duration of the exam, i.e. 60 minutes (including approximately 45 minutes of driving).

It also highlights the difficulty of determining which systems to evaluate and how, given the diversity of technologies and their rapid evolution. Marc Niklaus, however, remains optimistic: “Assistance systems are faster and more precise than humans. They don’t get tired or distracted, which will ultimately make our roads safer for everyone.”

Translated and adapted from German by Tanja Maeder