Hello

Anyone who has converted to a Swiss driving licence, would you be able to answer a quick question:

For each category of vehicle you are licenced to drive, does it show the date the entitlement began, ie when you passed your test, or the date you converted your licence?

The reason for asking is that in July 2007 I passed my motorbike test in the UK, but I am restricted to 25kw for 2 years. After 2 years I can simply upgrade to an unrestricted licence without a further test. After checking I see that the rules are exactly the same here. However, I am worried that if I convert my licence it may show the entitlement date as the date I convert meaning that, come July, I won't be able to upgrade my motorbike entitlement and will have to wait another 2 years.

Hopefully that was clear, but re-reading it I'm not sure it is!

Your Swiss licence will have the issue date of the licence you handed in to get it.

Thanks for the reply. So my bike licence should be safe.

That is potentially a problem for many. e.g. it is a standard requirement to have held a valid driving licence for a minimum of 1 year in order to rent a car in many countries. Has anyone had experience of this? Would the rental company be likely to accept a photocopy of your old driving licence in order to prove entitlement?

They will convert it to the closest Swiss category for what your licence says. You may have a restriction on your Swiss licence if that restriction exists here.

The restriction does exist here, and the rules are exactly the same. But as long as the date I pass the test shows on the new Swiss licence, I will be able to upgrade in July 2009 (2 yrs after the test date).

And it does show how long you have held a driving licence for.

There is an issue date of your original licence on the back of the Swiss one. On the front is the date the Swiss licence was issued. If you have been driving for more then a year then it is no problem, the category and date you passed the test for that category (original licence) are clearly marked on the back.

I would imagine so.

I confirm that. Categories on the back show the date you gained that category. The date on the front of the card will be the issue date of the licence itself (i.e. the date you switched or round abouts.). So no problems!