Hello,

just to clear this up. You must in Switzerland common with Germany be able to prove identity to an official upon request. Officials include the police, border patrols, train inspectors (!) and a few other groups.

Acceptable forms of identification are a passport, identity card or alien permit (ausländerausweis). Thankfully, although technically not perfect a Swiss issued plastic driving license will also get you identified. If you do not carry the **original** of one of these then the official can "arrest" you until your identity can be comfirmed.