Scooter licence in Switzerland: which category?

The term "scooter" covers several different Swiss legal categories, depending on the vehicle's motorisation and speed.

45 km/h combustion-engine scooter: A1 licence from age 15

A combustion-engine scooter limited to 45 km/h by construction, with a maximum power of 4 kW and a displacement not exceeding 50 cm³, is a "light motorcycle". It falls under sub-category A1 and can be ridden from age 15.

Combustion-engine scooter up to 125 cm³: A1 licence from age 16

A more powerful combustion-engine scooter, up to 125 cm³ and 11 kW, also falls under sub-category A1, but with a minimum age of 16.

Slow electric scooter (25 km/h): M licence from age 14 to 15, then none from age 16

An electric scooter whose assistance does not exceed 25 km/h and whose power does not exceed 0.50 kW is a "light moped". It is ridden with the M licence from age 14 to 15, then with no licence at all from age 16. See the electric bike and electric kick scooter page.

Fast electric scooter (45 km/h): M licence from age 14

An electric scooter with power reaching 1 kW and speed up to 45 km/h (with assistance) is a "fast moped". It requires the M licence from age 14, with no later exemption.

How to know which category a specific scooter falls under?

The category depends on three technical criteria recorded on the vehicle's registration document: maximum speed by construction, motor power and displacement. These three values, compared against the thresholds above, determine the applicable category.