Hello Forumers!

I am in a bit of a pickle...
I am british but lived in France for a while, and obtained my driving licence there. Browsing through other posts here it seems that I should have changed my licence to a Swiss one within 12 months - have I understood correctly?
Have been living in Switzerland for 18 months and was not at all aware that you need to change your driving licence. Also, we don't have a car and I never drive here, AND we'll be leaving CH in another 18 months so I don't really see the point.
Two weeks ago my licence was stolen at the train station in Vienna- pickpocket. The licence has not turned up and now I need to replace it. The website for the prefecture where I used to live in France says I can get a new one, but must prove residence in France - impossible! Bizarre considering when I was told apon enquiring with them about changing the address on my licence "it doesn't matter in Europe" - they didn't warn me, it would be problem getting a copy.
Obviously I have no proof for the Swiss authorities that I ever had a licence, and the French demand that I live in France to get a new one.

Two questions;
1) Has anybody had a similar situation and can offer advice for the next step I should take?

2) In reference to changing for Swiss licence. My husband has Austrian licence, also here for 18 months. He doesn't usually drive here either, but we occasionally hire a car for a day. Is he driving illegally?

Best Regards,
Knuid

For what it's worth, having been in a similar situation (quickly needed to get a new passport, had not registered with the french consulate in CH). I managed to "prove" residence in France by having a family member certifying that I was living at their place for free ("hébergement à titre gracieux").

That did the trick, simpler than trying to find a legit way out of the Kafkaesque maze.

That's a pwedicament.

You'll likely be asked to retake the driving test - including the theory - in order to get a Swiss licence. If you can find a way of getting another driver rather than another licence, life may be easier. Waiting to do and pass the test here can take a while.

That sounds like a reasonable solution - my parents still live in France.. Maybe we'll be able to convince a French bureaucrat
I can't help thinking of the Asterix and Obelix story when they have to overcome Roman bureaucracy as part of a series of Herculean tasks they are set by the Roman Emperor!

wish me luck!

why not ask the French place that issued your licence for proof of passing/licence which you might be able to use to convert into a Swiss licence?

That way you're not playing the system.

Strictly speaking, you should not be driving now as there is no way at this time to prove you have a licence.