Within the first 12 months of residence you can drive on your SA licence. You do not need to register with the your cantonal SVA.

However, as soon as you are here for more than 12 months your SA licence becomes invalid here. Within the 24 months of being here you must apply for a Swiss Licence, unless you wish to go through the whole driving test procedure again. The countries required to do a test drive change all the time, I am not sure what the current status is for SA. You should ring and ask.

You can normally download a PDF application from your local SVA website. You will need:

• Passport picture (x2 I think, not sure but at least 1)
• Eye test completed and stamped on the form by the Optometrist
• Your ORIGINAL SA licence
• Copy of Passport/Resident Permit

You will need to know when/where your licence was issued for each licence class you applied for. Make sure the form is complete otherwise they might sit on it for 1 month like they did with mine, until they have that information.

Some cantons require you to submit the form at a Police station, others direct to the SVA.