What you need to know about driving in Switzerland
Your EU driving licence stays valid for the first year after you move, so no immediate stress. After that, it's time for a Swiss version. A bit of paperwork and some costs, but the big advantage? A Swiss driving licence is valid forever as long as you live here. So no more renewals.
When do you arrange it?
You don't have to take action right away. In that first year, you can keep driving on your home-country licence. You can even still apply for the swap if your old licence has already expired, as long as it was valid on the day you moved. But beware: if you wait longer than a year, you're not allowed to drive in the meantime.
How to arrange your Swiss driving licence
The Strassenverkehrsamt (the Swiss equivalent of a road authority) handles the conversion. The process varies slightly per canton, but the steps always look something like this.
1. Download the form
Look up "Gesuch um Umtausch eines ausländischen Führerausweises" plus your canton on Google. The form lives on each cantonal Strassenverkehrsamt website.
2. Pop by an optician
Time for a quick eye test. The optician fills in the form, adds a stamp and charges around 10 CHF.
3. Visit the town hall or Strassenverkehrsamt
Bring the following documents:
- Your current driving licence
- Your residence permit
- The completed form
- A recent passport photo
- The result of your eye test
They take in your old licence and charge around 10 CHF in administrative fees.
Then you wait
Within two weeks, your brand new Swiss driving licence will land on the doormat. A bill of around 75 to 150 CHF follows, depending on your canton.
Takeoff tips
- Start the process well before the one-year deadline
- Make copies of every document
- Bring a sharp, recent passport photo
- Budget around 100 to 170 CHF in total
Got more questions about your driving licence or other practical things to arrange before moving? Check our FAQ or get in touch. We're happy to help.
