Here is the answer to my question about how long a US drivers license must be valid before it can be exchanged for a Swiss license. I emailed the Strassenverkehrsamt. God love 'em, they responded promptly and in english!


Besten Dank für Ihre kürzliche Email-Anfrage.

The license should be issued before your entry into Switzerland. If this is not the case, we need a confirmation of your DMV, that your practical examination (or at least your last license) was issued earlier.

Important is as well, that you can prove, that your first license (or again the last license issued) was made before 01.12.2005.

We hope those information are usefull to you.

Mit freundlichen Grüssen
Strassenverkehrsamt Zürich
Backoffice