Driving without a licence in Switzerland
Driving without the required licence is a criminal offence, not merely an administrative one.
What the law provides
A custodial sentence of up to three years or a monetary penalty punishes, in particular (art. 95 para. 1 LCR):
- driving without the licence of the required category;
- driving despite a refusal, a withdrawal or a driving ban;
- driving with a probationary licence that has lapsed;
- a practice drive without a learner's licence or without the required regulatory supervision;
- making a vehicle available to a person who does not hold the required licence.
Driving with a probationary licence that has merely expired (as distinct from lapsed - a precise distinction under Swiss law) is punished by a monetary penalty (art. 95 para. 2 LCR).
Less serious offences
A fine punishes non-compliance with the restrictions entered on the licence, supervision that does not meet the requirements, or professional driving lessons given without an instructor's licence (art. 95 para. 3 LCR), as well as driving a cycle or a horse-drawn vehicle despite a ban (art. 95 para. 4 LCR).