Hi people. So here is my problem. I now drive a mini bus as a proffetion so I changed my Licence for a suisse one with no problems keeping my D1. But... at the moment my company is not classed as professional so therefore I do not need a professional licence ATM... However as of septmber 2013 they are changing the law a bit so that maybe I will need the OACP (suisse name) or (CPC) english name. Every professional person, both england and switzerland, I have spoken to, some say I need it others say I don't. To be on the safe side I have decided to do it.

The problem is I am not fluent in any of the 3 Swiss Languages and it is not possible to sit a swiss driving test in english. I am learning French but I am worried that I wont know enough in time, therefore no longer having a job as the end result if I need the card.

So I was thinking that if I was able to change my licence back to a UK one or better still having both a UK and a Suisse so I can still keep my B permit and doing the exam in the UK that would be alot less difficult and less expensive and everyone is happy.

Has anyone tried anything like this before? Or know anything different?

Thanks

As nobody has replied I will give it a go.

I think the only way to do this is to de-register and convert CH license to UK.
Take the UK test, wait 6 months, then re-apply for your B permit and CH license.

ok thanks for the advice

If you are not confident with your French is there the possibility of having a translator with you when you sit the test? I don't know if it is but maybe that would be something to look into.

Otherwise can you get a private French tutor for a few lessons and focus on the vocabulary you need for the test. Also take some lessons (just basic driving lessons) with a French speaking instructor who is aware of the situation and get used to hearing the French and reacting to it.

I'd dare to suggest that the Swiss may well not transfer the entitlements added in the last 2 years, especially if you were resident in Switzerland when you obtained them.

Hi thanks for the advise.

Pepper;

as of 2010 the reviewed the tests and decided that you are no longer able to have a translator present during any tests.

Also I cannot get a copy of what I need to know as they expect you to pay for and attend the 35hours class based lessons, these are around 5000chf so I really dont want to go there until I at least know more french or have tried everything first.

Sean Connery;

As much as I am desparate for you to be wrong (no offence) I think you are correct.

In Europe if the company has a CPS licence then the Cat B drivers just need the relevant category and a medical certificate, or they did last year when I was working as a transfer driver.

With a Swiss licence you can have a 121 taxi driver extension to cover you as a professional driver up to 9 seats (including driver). This is easier than doing the cpc tests and you need to do a Swiss Medical before you get your licence.

For D1 >9 seats I think you will need the driver cpc.

IF you already have an EU medical certificate and change your licence to Swiss you will need to take a Swiss medical. Whether you need to do the cpc or not probably depends on whether you are carrying passengers with > 9 seats.

Hi shelldo,

When did you get your UK D1 license? Because if it was before September 1 2009 you may not have do the whole procedure.

To the ones that are able to read DE, FR, or IT you can find more information on this topic at official site www.cambus.ch.

Hi aSwissInTheUS,

Yeah unlucky for me I recieved mine in October 2010... this really is not looking good

UK licences can only be given to people ordinarily resident on the UK. This includes taking driving tests and licence renewals.

Of course, this isn't checked very thoroughly. But in theory, the answer is no.

Ok so what if i change my question then. If i decide to go back to the uk for say 3 month to work. I can keep my b permit because it is less than 6 month but need to change my driving licence temporeraly back to a uk 1 as the insurance company of the company i am working for dont accept foreign licence. Do swiss hold my swiss 1 for me like the uk do so i could change it back again?

If you do that, there is the risk that the HMRC will declare you ordinarily resident in the UK and you will end up paying tax in both the UK and Switzerland.

Of course, if you're currently doing that then it's fine. If not, it could be a substantial financial penalty.

Well i dont mind paying tqx in 2 countries for that period of time as i dont earn alot in eather country. I am more interested in my licence to be honest. I am not trying to fraud the system but stay legit. Its turning out to be nightmare

No because you will have to make a false declaration. On the form you have confirm you have been resident for 6 months.

Called dvla and they said that was fine to apply for the 3:month. Dont have to be resident for 6 month

The six month thing doesnt apply to Switzerland, only to EU/EEA countries.

Do it here as you are resident here. Get some private French lessons to speed up. Also the medical will need to be from here anyway.

Can you do the CPC in the UK with a Swiss licence and then convert it to Swiss?

I know that in the EU you can take the CPC in a different country in the EU as I know several people in France who had French licences when they did the UK course and test.

Might be worth asking at the police station where they do the licences if you can do the test in the UK and then have it added to your Swiss licence.

I thought about doing mine last year before I changed my licence, but didn't bother as it's quite expensive and I only need cat B so it was easier to just get a Swiss taxi / BPT licence.

Well if you look at the form you have to sign it's a different matter.
I doubt "the bloke said it was OK " will hold up in court!

It will If I have his full name time of call and recording. But thats beside the point. It is an exception to the rule because alot of buisness auto insurance is for UK licence only and I am from the UK.

Yeah it really sucks because technically its nothing to do with your licence so should be able to do it in UK on a swiss licence but UK test centres can only accept UK licences so I dunno how ur friends did it. I called DSA, DVLA, and the local test centre everyone says the same.

The problem doing it here is
1. 5000 is the quote from the school
2. Its in french
3. If you fail 3 times you cant sit it again for 5years and need to see a phsyc

anyway I am going to go to the commune and see what they say about changing my licence back and back agen lol.

I automatically got the 121 taxi licence insnt that wierd! Maybe I give up and be a Taxi driver.