I'm looking for some information regarding changing a UK license into a Swiss one...

As far I was aware, converting from a UK driving license to a Swiss one was quite simple, an eye test, maybe a first aid course but basically as long as you do it within one year of being in Switerland, all is fine.

However, a friend of mine did her practical test today, and her partner asked about converting from a UK license, and he was told that everyone had to take a driving license here in Switerland as of January 2011.

Does anybody know if this is right...?

I'm very sad to hear this news, just due to the cost and stress of re-taking the test.

If anyone has any information, please share, because it's really put a downer on my day.

Thanks in advance

I can't find any evidence of this at all

http://www.stva.zh.ch/internet/siche...umschreib.html

The attached pdf (in German I am afraid) give you the low down on what needs to be done to get a Swiss license.

EU/EFTA citizens as well as several others (incl. Australia, Canada, USA) do not have to do a test.

Attached Files

ZLMB_AUSLUM0909.pdf (183.0 KB, 212 views)

I also searched the website below, though I don't think there would be a difference for international drivers in different cantons... hmm?

http://www.jura.ch/DFJP/OVJ/Permis-d...rnational.html

I thought that it could be that it hasn't been updated on websites yet. My friend is French speaking so I don't think there was much chance for a misunderstanding. He said it was now the same for Germans, Italians, infact all of Europe which could change it simply before.

I'll call the centre in Delémont tomorrow.

I cannot find anything about any changes.

Driving licenses from EU & USA and many other countries have to be exchanged within a total of 12 months of living in Switzerland.

http://www.pom.be.ch/pom/de/index/st...Par_textbild_1

Other countries have shorter waiting periods and have to take a test.

Heavy goods and PSV licenses have to be exchanged immediately,

berufsmässig in der Schweiz immatrikulierte Motorfahrzeuge der Kategorie/Unterkategorie C/C1(= Lastwagen/“Leichtlastwagen“ bis 7,5 Tonnen), D/D1 (= Gesellschaftswagen/“Kleinbusse“ bis 17 Plätze inklusive Lenker) führt oder eine Bewilligung zum berufsmässigen Personentransport (= BPT, ehemals Taxi) besitzt. Der schweizerische Führerausweis ist in diesen Fällen sofort zu erwerben, also noch vor der ersten berufsmässigen Fahrt.

If you obtained your uk license after 2005 you have to do 2 days of courses before you van get a full swiss license.

I did after 3 years and still fine...no test necessary.

http://www.ne.ch/neat/site/jsp/rubri...eu&DocId=12874

The info regarding Neuchatel is here and looks the same as when I changed my license last November!

I changed mine in January without any problems. Had the eye test then took the completed forms to the office in Neuchatel. 2 days late got the new Swiss licence in the post. The painful part was the 120chf bill which arrived the week after.

Mine was a German licene though so I don't know if it makes a difference. It confused the lady in the office a bit as I had four different countries on the form. British national,Geman Licence,passed test in France and arrived from Belgium)
OH had no problems changing a Belgian licence either.

Hi, what kind of courses are they? How much do they cost....

I just called the office in Delémont, and they said I do not have to do a test.
Thanks to everyone that replied on here, just confused as to why my friend was given that information... Maybe it's something that will change in the future, and in that case, if anyone needs to change their license... do it now!

Thanks all.

I managed to just make the deadline without doing these course but someone at work had to do them. I think it's two days costing 350CHF each. Some theoretical and some practical stuff. I don't think there is a test and you pass as long as you turn up though.

If you passed your test after 2005 you'll get a provisional licence in return for your full UK licence. To get that converted to a full Swiss licence you have to do a two day course at a recognized driving centre within a certain period. If it applies to you, book ahead because there are limited centres and places are booked well in advance..

The two day course is a full two days ie aprox 8 hrs a day. It's a course, not an exam. There's no test. But you have sit through road safety presentations, do a few circuits round a skid pan and drive off with the instructor and a couple of peer course members in the back seats. They will critique the quality of your driving. Last time I checked it cost between CHF 550 and CHF600 in our neck of the woods.

Beware, courses are not available in English, at least where we live so if you don't speak the lingo you just have to sit through it and do the best you can. But as I said, there's no test.

Is this licenses in 2006 or those in 2005?

Will be from the end of 2005 since I got changed with a March 2005 license and didn't have to do any course.

Good mines Feb 2005 I was lazy

Must be less than 5 years then?

Okay, thanks. That's exactly what I wanted to know. It's the first time I heard of that two day course though, and it's annoying how much it costs. Infact I believe that it actually costs more than doing some lessons and a driving test here. So, good news - no stress for a test. Bad news - need to find and pay someone to look after my daughter for 2 whole days and then pay at least SFr 600 on top. Woop.

A friend in Neuchatel I know is paying about 90 CHF per hour. Wouldn't take long to get to 600CHF!

I was told that I needed to have a license since 2005. Being American, I need to obtain proof from the DMV of the state in which I resided prior to moving here. The DMV record I had didn't have my full driving record, which I will need to get from the DMV in a letter.

For now, I was given a provisional license that is good for two years. At the end of those two years, I need to either give proof of a license that I've had since '05 or take the two-day driving course. I'm hoping for Option A, as the two day driving course can apparently cost up to 700 CHF according to the guy at the Zurich driver's license bureau.

But she is learning.. doesn't have a license...?
It's just a bit crazy - I can drive! I spent a lot of money on lessons back in the UK.. Last night when I thought I had to re-do a test I was gutted... this morning I thought oh all is well, maybe 120 Franc for an exchange... and now maybe I think it's worse than last night!!

I do agree it seems a bit arbitrary to just say that anyone after 2005 has to do these courses which they may not even understand.

Just because someone passed a test in 2004 doesn't make them a better driver than someone who passed in 2006