Hi,

Just wondered if someone could clarify some grey areas we are not too sure about?

I have a b permit in Switzerland, and have lived for over 12months here. Normally I would have to change my UK license for a Swiss one, but I am going back to the UK to work in April so didn't see the point for the few months left.
I will however be coming back to Switzerland after April and would still like to drive and be insured on my partners car.
Should I need to get an international driving license in this case?
Would my partner's car insurers here in Switzerland still insure me eventhough I would no longer be a resident (without the B permit)? or would I need to get some sort of cover form the UK to cover me to drive in Switzerland?

Also, I realise between now and April before I leave, I would still have my UK license and not have changed it to a swiss one, does this matter in the interim period, or is this illegal somehow and if stopped I would get a fine?

sorry for all the questions, any suggestions are much appreciated!
cheers
Sarah

Well I have been in Switzerland for just over 2 months now.I got stoped by the police in a random check the other day and they checked my car documents, my driving license and my B permit. Everything was fine but they politely reminded me I must change my UK license within 12 months or there could be serious consequences.

If you are currently resident in Switzerland and have been here over a year and have not switched your license over, then should you drive, you will be breaking the law.

As I understand it, as you didn't change over, you must now take the Swiss driving test in order to be legal.

You may be able to salvage the situation by being not resident for a while, and switching your license when you come back.

If the police finds out about, you drove after 12 month you should have changed to the swiss residency driving permit and now you are driving wihout a valid drivinglicence, you probably get a hefty fine and 1-3 month ban of driving.

You also need to consider, if you drive an in Switzerland registered car you need to chanche the licence, otherwise in case of an accident the Incurance will not cover any claim.
Make sure you are listed as the main driver in the insurance policy while you take the car with you.

Where do we find these people.

You said suggestions would be appreciated so:

1. Stop driving while you continue to have a UK license and a Swiss permit valid more than 1 year. You are not eligible to drive and are therefore uninsured. You risk losing your license, losing your no-claims, losing your car and losing your liberty (aka jail/prison).

2. Go to your local strassenverkersamt (see www.asa.ch for details) and ask to exchange your UK license for a CH one. They might allow you up to 3 years to exchange provided you assure them you stopped driving after 12 months. They may accept your application with a reason such as travelling a lot, work reasons etc. This is discretionary and not a right. An exchange if accepted will take merely days to process. When you return to the UK, if it is in the period of your current photocard validity, you are entitled to a free exchange back as they recognize you needing to exchange in Switzerland within 12 months unlike the rest of the EU/EEA. So you will not need to "pay twice" upon returning to the UK.

3. Once you relinquish your Swiss residence you are no longer insurable on a CH policy. However if your friend/partner is insured in CH with a CH car, and has CH nationality/residence permit and a CH license, then you may occasionally drive their vehicle if their insurance policy permits it while visiting CH. If you drive their vehicle in the UK or Ireland you will need to sign their green international insurance certificate as a "named driver".

Do you "see the point" now? I look forward to you showing your appreciation heeding my advice. Otherwise be prepared for fines in the 1000's of francs with the risk of jail and license loss. Unfortunately we are not in the EU/EEA where you can take your time exchanging your license until it expires. Please respect local laws when living here. One hears a lot about foreign drivers not reaching UK standards in the UK right? Or is it OK for them not to "see the point"?

Link for Kt. ZG is here: http://www.zug.ch/behoerden/sicherhe...-und-formulare

Go to Gesuch um Umtausch eines ausländischen Führerausweises under "Führerzulassung".

Seemingly from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Or perhaps the OP is just a resident of the aforementioned UK and originates from elsewhere.

OOOOOIII......No need to tar us all with the same brush! I exchanged my license last week after only 2 months here! Very simple and easy process.

I think he means ...

1. Stop driving if you have not exchanged your UK licence for a Swiss one within the 12 month period of your current Swiss residency.

The longevity of your permit does not mean you have less than the 12 months to drive on your UK licence.

I exchanged my licence 18 months (I didn't have a car in that time) after arriving on CH. It was easy and the only test I had to take was an eye test.

So exchange your licence ... simples

I also got my B permit about 5 months ago. Is it true that if we change our drivers licence to CH we cannot drive cars that are not in our name in other countrys?

Well it depends on the other countrys laws, not Switzerland, but at least for the most part.....no, it isn't true.

Portugal to be more exact.
Ive heard this from other portuguese people.. And in Portugal ive a car but its not in my name because of the insurance costs. And it would be a pain in the ass if what they told me is true -.-'