City networks, regional lines and PostBus
Drivers can work in town for TPG in Geneva, tl in Lausanne or transN in Neuchâtel, on regional lines of the Fribourg TPF, or for PostBus (CarPostal) and its subcontractors in the valleys of the Alps and the Jura.
Category D and subcategory D1
The D licence covers vehicles with more than eight passenger seats besides the driver, while subcategory D1 is limited to minibuses. The practical test lasts about two hours at the centres of the cantonal road traffic office, such as the one in Vaud.
OACP qualification card, known as the code 95
Carrying passengers professionally requires, besides the licence, the certificate of competence set by the driver admission ordinance (OACP). It is kept valid through compulsory further training of 35 hours spread over five years, in recognised courses.
Regular medical examinations
D licence holders take a medical check every five years until age 50, then every three years until 75, according to the Vaud road traffic office. Poor eyesight or health can lead to the suspension of the right to drive.
In-house training paid by the employer
Several public transport companies recruit candidates holding only a B licence and pay for their D licence in exchange for a commitment to stay. These recruitment sessions are announced on their websites and often require a clean criminal record and ADMAS driving record.
The Working Hours in Transport Act
Licensed public transport companies apply the federal Working Hours Act for transport (LDT) rather than the general Labour Act. It governs shift rosters, breaks and rest days, and the transport union SEV negotiates many collective agreements.
Split shifts, nights and weekends
Schedules cover early mornings, rush hours and weekend night buses: split shifts, Sundays and public holidays are part of the job. Our page on night work in Switzerland explains which compensations to check in the contract.
Pay and the role of company agreements
Pay depends on the company, its collective agreement, seniority and allowances for irregular shifts. Public transport pay scales are often published; compare them with our page on Swiss salaries by job and canton before an interview.
Cross-border drivers and European licences
According to the canton of Vaud, since March 2024 a cross-border commuter holding a valid EU or EFTA licence with category D no longer needs a Swiss licence to drive professionally. A non-EU licence, however, must be converted. Check with your canton.
Languages and dealing with passengers
Drivers give passengers information, handle incidents and sometimes sell tickets. In Biel or Fribourg, French-German bilingualism is a real asset; in Ticino Italian is essential, as is a calm attitude when conflicts arise on board.
Coming from trucking or delivery work
A truck driver in Switzerland already knows the OACP and how to handle large vehicles, which makes the move to passenger transport easier. Delivery drivers with a B licence can apply for the in-house training of city networks.
Moving into dispatching and training
After a few years, a driver can become an in-house driving instructor, a dispatcher at the traffic control centre or a depot team leader. Some companies also offer trolleybus or tram driving, with specific additional training.
Steps to becoming a bus driver in Switzerland
- Check your status: EU or EFTA nationality, a B or C permit, or a cross-border G permit with a valid European driving licence.
- Obtain the D licence and the OACP certificate, or apply directly for in-house training at a public transport company.
- Request a criminal record extract and a statement of administrative measures on your driving licence.
- Prepare a Swiss-style CV with a photo, licence categories, years of driving and references from previous employers.
- Pass the selection tests: aptitude, interview, sometimes a psychological assessment and a medical check.
- Plan the 35 hours of OACP further training over five years to keep your qualification card valid.
Bus driver pay, training and fees
| Item | Amount or benchmark | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | indicative, based on the company pay scale | Seniority, night and Sunday allowances |
| Geneva minimum wage | 24.59 CHF/h in 2026, indicative | Cantonal legal floor |
| D licence and OACP training | often paid by the employer | Otherwise at your own cost, driving school |
| Vaud licence application for cross-border drivers | 45 CHF | Only if a Swiss licence is required |
| Periodic medical check | doctor's fees, indicative | Frequency depends on age |
Application file for a bus driver post
- Driving licence with category D or D1, or a B licence for in-house training
- OACP qualification card if you already have one
- CV with photo and cover letter
- Employment references, especially from transport or customer service jobs
- Criminal record extract and statement of administrative measures
- Residence permit, G permit or EU/EFTA passport
- Recent medical report if the employer requires it
What sinks a bus driver application
- Applying after a recent licence withdrawal without explaining it: companies check administrative measures and often reject such files.
- Letting the OACP card expire by skipping the 35 hours of further training, which bans you from driving professionally.
- Underestimating irregular hours and split shifts, a frequent reason for quitting during the probation period.
- Assuming a non-EU licence is valid in Switzerland for professional transport without contacting the cantonal road traffic office.
- Paying a so-called agency that promises a bus driver job in Switzerland with a guaranteed work permit.
Questions from future bus drivers
Can you become a bus driver in Switzerland without a D licence?
Yes, if a public transport company selects you for its in-house training. It puts you through the D licence and the OACP certificate, often at its own expense, in return for a commitment to stay with it for several years.
Is a French D licence valid for driving a bus in Switzerland?
For cross-border commuters, the canton of Vaud states that a valid EU or EFTA licence has been sufficient since March 2024. Someone who moves to Switzerland must in principle exchange the foreign licence; check the deadlines with the road traffic office.
How many hours of OACP further training are required?
You must complete 35 hours of recognised courses over five years to renew the qualification card. Transport companies often organise these training days for their drivers during working time.
Do you need German to drive a bus in Switzerland?
Not in French-speaking Switzerland, where French is generally enough. In bilingual towns such as Biel or Fribourg, or for PostBus in German-speaking areas, German is required to inform passengers and communicate with the control centre.