So then I would have to sell my car if I fail right?

Or find another use for it. Does it have a sunroof? You could seal up the windows and turn it into an aquarium.

You start from scratch as if you never had a driving license, as a sticker "not valid in Switzerland" will be put on your current license.

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and have been in Switzerland for 5 month now. Originally I'm from Germany and have a german A1 and B license.
Now I am a bit confused about the class A licenses in Switzerland and need your help. The forum search did not help me so far, but I hope you can answer my two questions:

1) As far as I saw during a longer google search, it seems to me that the A classes and regulations (especially in how to get the license) are a little different here. But as far as I saw the allowed vehicles are the same for both classes in Germany and Switzerland. So, when I go to the offices to request a Swiss license, will they give me the swiss classes B and A1?

2) I am considering class A (unlimited) right now, and I just read on the pages of the Zurich Department for traffic that I only have to take 6 additional practical lessons to get the full A license (due to my 25 years of age and IF I get the swiss A1 license). So I guess the smartest (=cheapest) move for me would now be to request for a Swiss license A1 and B and then to take the additional lessons. Is that really all?

Thanks so much for your help! Have a great day,
Martina

Assuming your license is German or EU, yes. Bear in mind you'll need to get a Swiss license conversion first before starting the upgrade regime. Good luck, and safe riding. Charly Fahrschule in Zurich is quite good, I did my A1 there years ago.

As i have been for a year here in Zurich now i need to do the exam immediately. However i really scared after reading this threat. seems that i need to find a school first to take some lesson. Any suggestion (i live in kilchberg but anywhere in Zurich will be fine) definitely prefer in my own language which is Turkish but English is also fine. thank you in advance for the suggestions

One of my neighbours use his old car to keep chickens- they seem to like it

Sorry, but if you can't drive, you might as well sell the car.

Unless you have someone else that can drive your car for you.

I may be wrong but I don't believe that you have to have a driver's license to own a car. You simply need one to actually drive a car, any car.

Good Luck.

Quick question:

I have now done the eye exam and filled out the paper work to get my EU license exchanged for a Swiss one.

Do I have to turn up in person with the filled out application form, 1x colour photo, old EU drivers license and my B-Permit OR can I send it to the authorities directly via post?

This being in Fribourg I could imagine it won't take long before I get my new license. Is there a chance I would be able to pick up the license the same day (again this is a small place) if I should turn up in person with the documents or do they prepare the licenses centrally?

Thanks a lot, magyir!

On the website of Zurichs traffic office (http://www.stva.zh.ch/internet/siche...umschreib.html) they explicitly say you have to turn up in person. If it is not that easy for you, try calling them and ask them if that is absolutely necessary. I guess they wont be able to give it to you the same day, but on the website they say you will receive it via post. Good luck!

Just got back from OCN here in Fribourg which looks after drivers license's / Car inspections (the MOT?) etc.

Came in with all my paperwork (form, EU drivers license, B-Permit etc), said good morning to the super nice and friendly lady sitting behind the desk at 10:10.
At 10:15 I was out the door with my new Swiss drivers license which I also paid for at the same time and cost me CHF 80.00. I kid you not

Now this is efficient.

My better halves (also EU) drivers license did not have an issue date so they needed extra paper work send from her home country (which she - my better half) ordered online btw) and I was told that we could post all the paperwork (again, old drivers license, form, photo and copy of the B-Permit) and a new CH drivers license would be sent in the post the same day they received it. She even gave me a pre-addressed envelope

Needless to say that I was amazed over the ultra fast and professional service but again, this is a small city so no delays...

PS. First time I have seen iMac's (brand new by the looks of it)being used at a government institution other than at universities.

Amazing, now i'm impressed. Thanks for charing! Lets see how fast this works out in Zurich... ^^

Not sooo fast ... My husband got his in the mail the next day and I had to wait TWO WHOLE DAYS

Hehe, okay, I guess I can wait that long
But what are the rules, am I allowed to drive while waiting for the license? If its only two days it should be fine for me, this is mainly out of interest.

Another point I forgot for the record: I have been in the country for more than one year before I decided to swap my D.L. and not a word form the agent doing the change over. Again, this was an EU D. L. issued in 1990 and she didn't ask me if I had been driving the last couple of years...

Hi,

I am from India and I came to Switzerland 4 years back. I took Indian driving license when i went to India for vacation in 2010. The reason is i have to drive in India for 3 months, hence i learned the driving in 1 month and took the license. Now am I eligible for Conversion to Swiss license by giving a practical test?

Your valuable response is much appreciated.

Regards
Srivas

I recently submitted the form here in Bern to convert my US California driver's license to a Swiss one. They sent the form back saying that my license did not show the Ausstellungsdatum [original issuing date?] or Prüfungsdatum [examination date], and to send them official confirmation that showed when I passed a driving test. I have been driving for 28 years and in 3 different US states. I'm not sure if I need to request a Drivers license report from Connecticut that shows when my original license was issued and a road test was taken. Not sure if Connecticut still keeps that information. Anyone go through anything similar in Bern?
They also wanted to the vehicle categories my license was valid in, but that is easy to pull from California DMV's website.
Thanks

I got my driver's license immediately but they didn't charge me anything.
They said Bon Jour and I asked how much I needed to pay and they looked at me with a sort of "Silly American" expression and replied that I would receive a bill in the Post. I guess it isn't like they don't know where I lived.

Hi Guys,

I just wanna share my experience in Driving Test which I have passed today in Aargau.

The Examiner was very good and kind.. d first road which asked me to drive where speed limit is below 80kmph.. Next to the highway (Zurich - Aarau) few mins later got away from highway and went to a 30zone area, he consciously looked up right side priority and d speed limit where below 30.

Finally I followed up again d same highway and return to d starting ponit..

At d end of the test he said that "Congratulation" & your license will be sending via post in few day )

Thanks