OACP and certificate of competence
A category C, C1, D or D1 driving licence entitles you to drive the vehicle. Professional transport of passengers or goods additionally requires, in most cases, a separate certificate of competence.
The driving licence is not always enough
A person who wants to transport passengers professionally with a category D or sub-category D1 vehicle must hold the certificate of competence for passenger transport.
A person who wants to transport goods professionally with a category C or sub-category C1 vehicle must hold the certificate of competence for goods transport.
See the certificate of competence page for the conditions to obtain it, and OACP further training to keep it valid.
Main exceptions
The certificate of competence is not required, in particular, for drivers of vehicles:
- used for non-commercial transport of passengers or goods;
- whose maximum authorised speed does not exceed 45 km/h;
- assigned to the army, police, fire brigade, customs administration or civil protection services, or used to transport sick or injured persons;
- used for road tests or transfers related to technical improvement, repair or maintenance;
- used during urgent interventions, rescue missions or non-commercial transport provided as humanitarian aid;
- used during commercial learner or test drives, if the accompanying person holds a valid certificate of competence or a valid authorisation to teach driving for the corresponding category;
- used exclusively within a company, without using public roads except with official authorisation;
- used for goods transport by agricultural or forestry businesses, within a radius of 20 km and for at most half of the driver's weekly working time.
Initial vocational training
A trainee in the initial vocational training as a heavy vehicle driver (federal VET diploma) may carry out goods transport without holding the certificate of competence throughout the duration of their training, provided they hold the driving licence required for the vehicle used.
Competent authority
Certificates of competence are issued by the canton of residence, or by the canton where the employing company is established for persons resident abroad.