The questions that come up before booking

Yes, if this is your first licence. The course is mandatory for categories B (car), A (motorbike) and A1 (scooter). It is not required for mopeds and e-bikes (cat. M), vehicles limited to 45 km/h (cat. F) or agricultural tractors (cat. G).

Only providers recognised by the Federal Roads Office are allowed to deliver courses for driving-licence candidates. They must hold a valid SGS certificate, renewed every four years.

The minimum age is usually 12, and sometimes 14 depending on the organiser.

The course lasts at least 10 hours including breaks. It must be spread over at least two days and three teaching units lasting between two and four hours each.

The price varies depending on the format and the provider. For a driving-licence course, often referred to as a Samaritan course, the range is often around CHF 80 to 200.

The certificate is valid for 6 years throughout Switzerland. The licence application must be submitted within that period. Once the licence has been obtained, no renewal is required, although a refresher remains useful.

An official duplicate can be obtained from the course organiser for a fee.

Yes, many providers offer courses in French, German and sometimes English. The information shown on this site is indicative, so confirm the available language directly with the provider.

It depends on the country. SRC certifications are recognised in several European countries. For professional use abroad, check equivalence rules with the competent body in the target country.

Not for the driving licence within the certificate’s validity period. For professional certifications, such as BLS-AED-SRC or workplace first responder training, a refresher every 2 years is often recommended or required.

No. In an emergency, your first reflex should still be to call 144 or 112. First-aid actions help keep the person safe until professionals arrive.

A Samaritan course covers general first-aid actions such as wounds, fractures, burns and loss of consciousness. A BLS-AED course focuses on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated defibrillator.

It is the basic resuscitation course recognised by the Swiss Resuscitation Council. It certifies that participants can perform chest compressions and use an external defibrillator. The certification is valid for 2 years.

Yes. Paediatric courses teach gestures adapted to babies and young children, such as choking response, infant CPR and the recovery position. They are mainly intended for parents, babysitters and early-childhood professionals.

Yes. Under the Swiss workplace safety rules, each company must have a sufficient number of trained first responders, depending on staff size and specific risks.

Use our canton-based search tool to identify a certified organiser in your region or city.

The main organisations include local Samaritan sections, the Swiss Red Cross, TCS, regional hospitals and clinics, approved driving schools and various private providers recognised by the Federal Roads Office.

Partly. Some providers offer the theory online. Practical work, such as CPR, bandaging or the recovery position, still has to be done in person. A fully online course is not recognised for the driving licence.

Founded in 1888, the Swiss Samaritans form the country’s largest network of volunteer civilian first responders, with many local sections across Switzerland.

No. They are two independent organisations with related but distinct missions. Both provide training, but they are not institutionally linked.

Yes. After a basic course, anyone motivated can join a local section and help at events or in support roles linked to emergency services.