Summary
On April 1, 2026, the Federal Council confirmed the evaluation of the one-year learner phase for novice drivers introduced in 2021. Persons under 20 years of age have been required to complete twelve months of supervised driving since this reform before being permitted to take the practical test. The learner's license age was lowered to 17 years in parallel to enable obtaining a driver's license at 18 years of age. The evaluation results from the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) show positive effects: significantly fewer accidents in the first year after passing the test, higher success rates in the practical exam, and fewer license suspensions for novice drivers. The Federal Council sees no need for adjustments.
Persons
- Federal Council (collective body; decision-maker)
Topics
- Road Safety
- Driver Training & Learner Driving
- Driver's License Regulations
- Traffic Law
Clarus Lead
The five-year assessment of the learner driving reform shows measurable safety gains and refutes implicit skeptics who had feared that a longer training phase would deter novice drivers. With confirmed reductions in accident rates and increased exam success rates, the model has established itself as effective – a reference case for evidence-based traffic policy that could impact international driver training standards. The absence of reform requirements signals stability in a regulatory framework that balances safety and access age.
Detailed Summary
The reform introduced in 2021 requires novice drivers under 20 years of age to complete a twelve-month supervised learner phase before the practical test. This regulation replaced the earlier system in which adult candidates could take the test immediately at their discretion. To preserve the ability to obtain a driver's license at age 18, the minimum age for acquiring a learner's license was lowered to 17 years – a compensatory measure that combines access and safety.
ASTRA evaluated the new regulation on behalf of the Federal Council and documented three central effects: First, a significant decline in accident rates in the first year after passing the test, indicating improved driving competence. Second, an increased success rate in the practical driving test itself, suggesting that the twelve-month supervised practice phase measurably strengthens practical skills. Third, a decline in license suspensions for novice drivers in the first year – an indicator of reduced risky behavior and better knowledge of traffic regulations. Based on these results, the Federal Council considers adjustments to the regulation unnecessary.
Key Statements
- One-year supervised learner phase for those under 20 shows positive effects on road safety
- Accident rate in the first year after the test has dropped significantly; license suspensions for novice drivers are declining
- Success rate in practical exams increases through structured twelve-month training phase
- Federal Council confirms regulations without need for adjustment; learner's license age of 17 years remains valid
Critical Questions
Data Quality: How large is the sample size of the accident statistics, and were confounding factors (e.g., traffic volume, weather conditions, demographic shifts) controlled for?
Causality: Can the decline in accident rates be uniquely attributed to the learner phase, or could other factors (e.g., vehicle safety technology, traffic education in schools) play a role?
Comparability: Were accident rates before and after 2021 recorded using identical measurement methods, or do methodological differences compromise comparability?
Conflicts of Interest: Has ASTRA, as an authority that co-managed the reform, maintained sufficient independence in the evaluation, or is there an implicit bias in favor of confirming the regulation?
Implementation Risks: Are control mechanisms for the quality of supervised driving monitored (e.g., instructor qualifications, logbook completeness)?
Long-Term Effects: Does the accident reduction extend over several years after the test, or does the accident rate normalize later?
Bibliography
Primary Source: [Driver's License: Federal Council Confirms Learner Driving from Age 17] – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/Aa_Lom79t5F7CgOcX6b10
Verification Status: ✓ 01.04.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 01.04.2026