I have read through all the threads about importing a car her (and believe me there are a lot of them!) but I haven't found the answer to my question.

We have the appointment for the expertise this afternoon.

We brought the 2 year old car with us from Belgium and we have all the necessary paperwork and insurance for it and a sparkling clean engine so normally it should have no problems passing the inspection.

My question is about fitting the new numberplates. The Belgian plates are screwed on to the black plastic bit with a screw in each corner. I have noticed that Swiss plates are not screwed on but clipped in place (for ease of ghanging them to another car I guess).
My question is will I be able to get the bit to clip the plates in to at the inspection place or do I have to buy them somewher beforehand?

I'm already stressed enough about the test any info about the plate thing would be appreciated. I like to be prepared.

Of course this will all be academic if the car fails the test

I would be surprised if a 2yr. old car from another European country would have any problems passing.

I would suggest (without 100% knowing) to get them before. Go and ask at your local garage (if you already have a friendly one, all the better). Certainly a dealership that sells new cars, should have them.

Why not call the OCN to check?

We got the 'fixers' from the garage where we had the car serviced, before the test. We had difficulty with our car, as it is a Model which does not exist in CH- the only difference being the up=holstery!! In the end the guy from the garage said to us - give me the car, I'll go and sort it out- I know all the guys well'. And hey presto, done. Just go to your local garage to get the 'fixers' beforehand. Do you have the plates- because it depends if their are the oblong or square ones. I think we have an oblong at the front and square at the back.

I think it works in reverse - the OCN ask if you need a long or a square plate for the rear.
So whatever fits best with the car model - get that shape of fixer and then you should be able to specify the same shape for the plate at the OCN.

You can get the plastic number plate holders (normally a front and back set) from any Migros Do-it, Jumbo or Coop Brico. They have lots of holes in the back so you should be able to reuse the same holes as the B plates. If you already have a garage or dealership, they will normally give you a free set as it is advertising for them.

Depending on the screw or other system on the B plates, you might have to buy screws as well for the CH plastic holders. At worst, take along some tape and you can tape the CH plates in the rear window while you drive to the hardware store for the screws. Best to have the plate holders with you though.

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Do or do not, there is no try(ing). Yoda

Thanks everyone.

I'll go along to the garage where we had the service done when they open at 1 o clock.

The test isn't until 3.30 so I should have enough time to stop in Jumbo if the garage hasn't got any.

The Belgian holder looks just like the Swiss one only the plates are screwed on rather than clipped so hopefully there won't be a problem just swapping them over.

Even better - if you have time - find some Swiss number plate holders and take them to the garage. If they can fit their own, then take the ones you bought back (keep the receipt) - or sell them on EF at an inflated price.

This'll save you time and takes things off the critical path, if the garrage don't have what you need/want. Believe it or not time goes quickly when you have a big deadline...

Yeah I would have done that but the problem is it's Monday and nothing opens until 1 pm on a Monday in Neuchâtel.

It's a shame I didn't notice the difference on Saturday when it would have been reall easy to get them. The garage is a new car dealer too so I'm hoping he has then anyway.

Thanks for all the advice. We now have Swiss plates on the car.

It was a piece of cake really. Nowhere near as bad as I expected.

I went to the garage and the man even fitted the things on the car for me.
Took it to the expertise and did my best helpless pathetic woman act. Passed without problem.
Collected the plates and the inspector even fitted them to the car for me.

I guess it pays to be prepared.

Result

Hello there,

Sorry to bring a "not so related"topic into this discussion, but I am in need of a light...
My wife is Belgian and she is working in Geneva with the initial 90 days authorization which will (after 90 days) be turned into a L-Permit...
Could anyone tell me if we could go ahead and by a car?
We are not worried about financing, it is just a matter of being or not able to have a vehicle registered in our (hers) name.

Many thanks in advance

Rodrigo

If your wife is already working then she should have already registered and applied for her permit.

Whether someone will finance a car with an L permit is up to each leasing/banking company. If you buy one in cash you should be able to register the car with the permit.

http://www.ge.ch/san/immatriculation...d__un_vehicule

As minimia says your wife should already register wen she moves here to start work.
Why will she have an L permit? If she is Belgian I would have expected her to get a B permit.