Working as a Truck Driver in Switzerland: A Comprehensive Guide

Working as a Truck Driver in Switzerland: A Comprehensive Guide

Working as a truck driver in Switzerland can be both rewarding and lucrative. This article breaks down everything you need to know to embark on this career, including requirements, benefits, and challenges.

If you hold a C, C+E, or D license, you’re in luck—this guide is also valid for bus drivers!

1. Requirements for Becoming a Truck Driver in Switzerland

To work as a truck driver in Switzerland, you must meet the following basic requirements:

• Driver’s License: A valid heavy vehicle driver’s license (category C or C+E) is required.
• CAP Certification: The Certificate of Professional Competence (CAP) is mandatory for professional drivers. In Switzerland, this is known as OACP in French, CZV in German, or Oaut in Italian. It is often referred to as “Code 95.”
• Tachograph Card: This card is also necessary for work in Switzerland.
• Medical Exam: To work as a freight or passenger transporter, you must pass a medical exam, repeated every 5 years.
• Experience: While not always required, prior experience can be a significant advantage.
• Language Skills: Basic knowledge of one of Switzerland’s official languages (German, French, Italian) can facilitate daily communication. Generally, the language of the canton is required, but Spanish-speaking opportunities may be rare.

2. Exchanging Your Professional Driver’s License in Switzerland (C, C+E, and D)

Before starting your first job as a truck or bus driver, you must exchange your Spanish or European driver’s license for a Swiss one.

Documents Needed for the Exchange:

• Completed form from the traffic service of your canton of residence.
• Valid original driver’s license.
• Visual acuity certificate (obtained at optician centers). The staff will complete the traffic service form.
• Passport-size color photo (many optician centers offer this service with the eye test).
• Identity document and residence permit.

Steps to Follow:

1. Download the form from your canton’s traffic service website.
2. Complete the eye test and attach the photo to the form.
3. Submit the form in person or by mail (if allowed).

Important Note: The original Spanish driver’s license will be sent back to Spain. It can be recovered if you return to Spain in the future.
You must exchange your license before engaging in any freight or passenger transportation work.

3. Finding Truck Driving Jobs in Switzerland from Abroad

If you do not yet reside in Switzerland, you have two options:

1. Immigrate and work in another sector while you complete the license exchange process.
2. Get hired by a logistics company that assists you with the license exchange and then provides you with a truck driving position.

4. Converting the Spanish CAP to the Swiss Professional Competence Certificate

To work in Switzerland, your CAP must be converted into the Swiss version (OACP/CZV/Oaut).

Steps to Convert Your CAP:

1. Download the application form from your canton’s traffic service website.
2. Submit copies of:
   • Your CAP certificate.
   • Your driver’s license.
   • Your ID or passport.
3. Pay the required fees.

Once completed, you will receive the “Code 95” annotation on your license, enabling you to work as a truck driver in Switzerland.

5. Tachograph Card

You can use your current tachograph card until it expires. Once it does, you must apply for a Swiss tachograph card.

6. Medical Exam for Truck Drivers in Switzerland

A psychotechnical exam is mandatory to work as a transporter in Switzerland. Schedule it through your canton’s specialized center or the website: MedTraffic.

Details of the Exam:

• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.
• Includes a health questionnaire, vision and hearing tests, and sensory evaluations.
• Cost: CHF 200–300.
• Frequency: Every 5 years until age 50, every 3 years until age 65.

7. Language Skills for Truck or Bus Drivers

Working as a truck or bus driver in Switzerland with only Spanish or English is extremely rare. Most job postings explicitly require proficiency in the local language, often at a B1 or B2 level.

8. Where to Look for Truck Driving Jobs in Switzerland

• JobScout24: Popular Swiss job portal with specific sections for truck driving jobs.
• Indeed Switzerland: Offers a wide range of job opportunities, including transport and logistics positions.
• JobUp: Lists truck driving jobs across various Swiss regions.
• LinkedIn: Useful for networking and finding logistics sector jobs.
• EURES: European job portal for work opportunities in Switzerland.

9. Major Freight Transport Companies

Some key transport companies in Switzerland include:

• Coop
• Kühne+Nagel
• Migros
• Planzer
• Schöni (job postings not available directly).

10. Minimum Truck Driver Salary in Switzerland

Truck driver salaries vary by canton and are generally regulated at the cantonal level.

For full details, check routiers.ch.