Everything about the theory test and the driving licence for categories D and DE in Switzerland – for buses and passenger transport.
With category D you may drive motor vehicles for passenger transport with more than 8 seats. With DE you may additionally drive trailers or vehicle combinations.
👉 These categories are central to commercial passenger transport, e.g. in scheduled services, coach travel or shuttle services.
Would you like to start right away or learn more about e.driver?
🚌 What is category D?
Category D entitles you to drive motor vehicles for passenger transport with more than 8 seats (excluding the driver's seat).
It is the central category for bus transport and is required in many professions in public and private transport.
Typical vehicles are:
- scheduled buses in public transport
- coaches and touring vehicles
- school buses
- shuttle and transfer vehicles
- larger special vehicles for passenger transport
💡 In passenger transport, safety, responsibility and anticipatory driving are particularly in focus.
🔗 What is category DE?
Category DE extends category D and allows you to drive buses with trailers.
Typical applications are:
- buses with luggage trailer
- coaches with additional storage space
- special vehicle combinations in tourism
👉 DE is particularly relevant in coach and long-distance travel.
💡 Without DE you may drive a bus, but you may not pull the corresponding trailers.
🧠 What do you learn for the theory test?
The theory test for category D / DE goes beyond the normal car theory and focuses on safe passenger transport.
- traffic rules and signalling
- responsibility towards passengers
- braking behaviour and driving physics with large vehicles
- safe boarding and alighting of passengers
- anticipatory and defensive driving
- vehicle checks
- driving behaviour with a trailer (for DE)
These topics are decisive for your safety and that of your passengers.
⚖️ Difference to other categories
Category D differs clearly from other vehicle categories:
- D / DE: passenger transport with more than 8 people
- C / CE: goods transport with trucks
- C1 / D1: lighter vehicles or smaller passenger transport
👉 Category D is specifically geared towards the transport of people and accordingly places higher demands on responsibility and driving behaviour.
→ More about category C (truck)
✅ How e.driver supports you
With e.driver Professional you prepare specifically for categories D and DE:
- structured learning path
- easy-to-understand content for bus and passenger transport
- exam-like questions
- learn on the app and web app
❓ Frequently asked questions about D / DE
What is the difference between D and DE?
With D you may drive buses. With DE you may additionally drive buses with a trailer.
When do I need category D?
As soon as you want to transport more than 8 people (excluding the driver's seat), e.g. in bus transport.
Is the exam harder than for a car?
Yes, because additional responsibility and specific passenger-transport topics are tested.
Is DE always necessary?
No, only if you want to use buses with trailers.
What responsibility do I have as a bus driver?
You are responsible for the safety of your passengers – while driving, boarding and throughout the entire journey.
🎯 Your next step
Start now with your preparation for categories D and DE.
Discover e.driver Try for free
