Runway driving licence

For security reasons related to the operation of aircraft, anyone needing to drive in manoeuvring areas must hold a type P permit ("permis P") to drive on the airport.

Drivers must:

• Hold a civilian driver's licence valid in Switzerland.
• Have an Airport identity card.
• Hold a license to drive on the apron (“permis T”).
• Need to enter the manoeuvring areas at least three times a month.
• Belong to one of the following services: 
  • Genève Aéroport, Operations Division
  • Genève Aéroport, Security Division
  • Genève Aéroport, Technical Division
  • Skyguide Technical Service

We would remind you that individuals are not authorized to drive a vehicle of a type other than the one for which they have a driving licence.

A Runway Licence is obtained in three phases (2 mandatory / 1 optional).

1. Theory: Theory course and theory test (2 days).
After successful completion of the first phase, the participant receives a provisional P licence logo and can drive accompanied by a P permit holder on the manoeuvring areas.

2. Training: (optional) which allows the participant to consolidate what has been learnt and prepare for the practical test.

3. Practical: Practical test (1 hour).
After successfully completing the practical test, the participant receives a P licence logo and can drive alone on the manoeuvring areas.

The airport, in partnership with Skyguide, organizes a two-day training course that is held 4 times a year. Training dates are available on request at permis@gva.ch.
P-type driving authorisations (P licences) are a partnership between Genève Aéroport and Skyguide. Training costs are therefore billed between services by Skyguide or by Genève Aéroport.

In the event of failure
Should a participant fail one of these tests, the trainer and the participant discuss together any mistakes so that the participant can correct and assimilate them. The participant may then re-take the theory test. A participant who fails again must then repeat the whole basic course.

Validity
A provisional P licence is valid for 6 months, on expiry of which the participant must repeat the theory course.

Venue for theory courses
Courses are run in a Genève Aéroport theory room. For organizational matters, the venue will be announced once participants have registered.

Training phase
This phase is optional and is provided depending on candidates’ needs. The final aim is to consolidate what has been learnt and to prepare candidates for the practical test.

Procedure
For this test, each candidate is given three scenarios (relating to his activity on the runway) that he must perform on a map of Genève Aéroport.
The practical test takes about an hour and will be acted out on a giant map of the airport. Vehicles will be moved on the map using a magnet, following the authorizations received. This allows Genève Aéroport to assess the test away from operations and, if there are any difficulties, the test does not jeopardize active operations.

Criteria
A list of criteria is defined for each exercise. This list is given to participants during the theory course.

Experts
The practical test is supervised by an P licence expert approved by Genève Aéroport.

Planning
The test is scheduled to last 1 hour (maximum duration). Appointments are made immediately after the theory course based on the slots still available.

Making an appointment
To make an appointment for a practical test, please contact Fabrice Pervangher on 022 717 78 13. If he is away, make a request by email to permis@gva.ch.

Appointment venue
Practical tests are held in a Genève Aéroport theory room. For organizational matters, the location will be announced once participants have registered.

In the event of failure
Should the candidate fail the practical test, he is allowed a second try. For this to happen, we will have a bilateral discussion for him to repeat the hours of practical training, and to define in the light of the shortcomings the time needed to reach the requisite level before re-taking the test.

A participant who fails for a second time must repeat the whole theory course from the beginning.

Pre-registration is required. To register, fill out the registration form and send it to your line manager at permis@gva.ch.

Registration deadline: 1 week before the course starts.

When your registration has been OK’d by the Operations Division, you will receive a confirmation email for the requested course.

When you attend the course you must bring:

• a readable and valid copy of your civilian driver's licence,
• your Airport ID card with a T-type driving permit ("permis T"),
• something to write with.

The course will be held on every scheduled date.