Charl always dreamed of driving through Europe with a camper van. With the move to Switzerland, the dream came closer to possibility. However, there were a few hurdles he had to overcome for the camper van holiday to become a reality.

A South African driving licence is only valid for the first year in Switzerland. ʼn Driving test in Switzerland within the first year is, therefore, necessary to obtain ʼn Swiss driving licence. Everyone recommended that we take driving lessons before we conduct the driving test in German. If you fail the driving test, you must start at the very beginning and go through the learner’s licencing process. The process entails that you must pass a first aid course and attend classes before you can write the theory test. I decided I was getting along well with the trains, but Charl accepted the challenge.

Driving lessons

Charl is one of the most careful and law-abiding drivers I know. I could never have predicted the negative impact the driving lessons would have on Charl’s driving confidence. The driving school instructor was strict and quick to grab the steering wheel.

This whole driving lesson experience made me appreciate Uncle Schalk all over again. Uncle Schalk helped both Jacques and Christo get their driving licences. I initially sat next to Jacques while he was learning to drive. Every time we got home, I wanted a glass of wine. I enlisted the help of Uncle Schalk to avoid a potential alcohol problem. I recently wrote to Uncle Schalk to say how much I appreciated his compassion and care during his lessons and that his driving lessons were 10% of the price of the Swiss lessons.

Charl came home from each late afternoon driving lesson drenched in sweat. The short summer is hot, and according to regulations, air conditioners are not allowed. All the sessions also had to take place with a mask and plastic gloves. The mask also fogged up his glasses.

Some traffic rules in Switzerland are different from those in South Africa

Some traffic rules here in Switzerland are different from those in South Africa. Pedestrians, for example, have priority most of the time and vehicles are legally obliged to stop for them. When waiting at a train crossing, you must switch off your car and take it out of gear while you wait to limit carbon emissions. The different rules, speed limits, new unknown roads and right-hand driving caused the whole driving situation to be more challenging than initially expected.

Driving test

All the luck was on Charl’s side when he got a traffic officer who had worked in America for a few years and spoke English well. The officer made him feel very comfortable, and a few things went well early in the test. The confidence needle rose rapidly, and he obtained the papers authorizing him to drive in Switzerland.

We saved a bottle of South African wine for celebration purposes. Over a glass of ice-cold Tokara Chardonnay, Charl could start dreaming about a European holiday in a camper van and life without Covid-19.

Kind regards

Emsia