Driving License conversion problem
 

Hey guys, I have this little big problem with my driving license conversion, and I thought maybe someone knows something to help me out.

So the problem I have is that i tried to change my driving license that I got in my own country for the swiss one, but apparently you need to get your driving licence 12 months before entering switzerland and before getting your residence (something that I havent seen anywhere on the Ch website). I thought in a foolish way that it would be fine to do my license in my own country during the summer vacation after 2 years of living in Switzerland and afterwards converting it to the Swiss one(thinking it would be easier with the language and what not).

But now after sending them all the documents and forms that i filled and including the original driving licence, they decided to keep the original license and making me do the whole driving school once again but in Switzerland.

My question is, has it happened to someone else as well?. And if yes, do I have to redo the Swiss driving school again or just the tests (theoretical and practical).

Thank you

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Yes, that is normal and yes, the driving licence done during the summer holidays is not valid here.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Thank you for the fast reply,
One more question if its ok. Is it possible to do the exams without doing the whole driving school? Since in most European countries it is kind of mandatory.

Thank you

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

No idea, sorry.

It is in a lot of countries that you cannot just pop over to your home country, get your driving licence and convert it.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Thank you for the reply

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

You'll have to do the lot, including your First Aid Certificate, etc.

About thirty years ago I'd started taking lessons with a view to exchanging my newly acquired UK licence for a swiss one, but they changed the rules before I'd finished. It's not a new rule by any means.

PS; Part of the problem was apparently people from countries such as India buying licences back in their home countries for a few hundred francs without having a clue how to drive, and then simply swapping it for a swiss one.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

What a bummer, but at least I will get up to date with the swiss rules and what not.
Thank you for the info :)

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

You don not need to have your license for more than 12 months before registering as a residence. But, you would only get a provisional one valid for two years. In this two years you must two driving courses, have no major traffic infractions, and a BAC of max 0.01%.

Any driving license from aboard while beeing a Swiss resident can not be converted into a Swiss one.

What do you have do to:

Do the first aid course (Nothelferkurs).
Get the application form from your locals SAN/StVA website: http://www.strassenverkehrsaemter.ch
Get a nice photo of you
Get an sight test at an optometrists/optician (Cost CHF 10 to 20. )
Bring form and proof of first aid course to SAN/StVA or commone office.
Learn for the theory exam http://asa.ch/dienstleistungen/Theoriefragen/
Take
Pass the theory exam.
Do the road awarness course.
Pass the practical exam (no lessons needed).

If you hurryup it can be done in less than a month.

Done. You will get a provisonal license valid for the next three years. During that period you must two driving courses, have no major traffic infractions, and a BAC of max 0.01%.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Thank you very much for the information, you have been very helpful.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Out of interest, which country is 'back home'?

Things will of course change for British people post Brexit- and they will probably have to re-take driving licence all over- just as I did in 1970. I did 3 driving licences in just over a year, Swiss car, Swiss motorcycle, the UK car licence - as it was not possible to convert in those pre-EU days.$

Perhaps few here remember the pre-EU days, visas, work permit and job to be found before entering the country, etc, etc,

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Did you spend more than three months of holidays when you've obtained your driving licence in your home country? If so, your driving licence could still be converted (at least in Fribourg): http://www.ocn.ch/files/pdf69/2014-1...mbre_20141.pdf

"La compétence éludée devient caduque si le titulaire du permis prouve qu’il était domicilié pendant au moins trois mois, au moment de la délivrance, dans son Etat d’origine."

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Not if OP was still registered here, the magic word is domicilie

Its the wonderful country of Estonia

Only weird thing is that they kept my license and if i want to drive outside Switzerland, I have to send them a form in which I specify how long I'll be away for, so I can send it back o them once back from the trip. And from what i understood, its quite a long process

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

That's the law: Art. 42 Abs. 4 and Art. 45 VZV
https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classifi...247/index.html

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Wow, thank you so much for the info. I've been searching for that the whole day :)

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

It is also in this thread:
https://www.englishforum.ch/transpor...s-mark-ii.html

Thanks to your input I made it even beter. :)

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

I can understand why the authorities are the way they are, and even if its a small inconvenience, I'm fine with just doing things by the book (even if sometimes they seem a little odd).

The only reason I even wanted to change the licence was that I will be here for quite some time (never ending school) and since I own a car it would have been nice to do a little bit of Italian shopping :)

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Err no, they won't. Agreements about recognising licences are completely independent of the EU, so Brexit, Frexit, or EUdisintegration would have no effect on this whatsoever.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

As far as I know, if you have an EU drivers license should be a straight swap... but reading here, it looks like you need to had it for more than 1 year :rolleyes:

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

what nonsense again. driving license conversion rules are not exclusively for EU countries.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

It is still a straight swap. But you will be treated as what you are: A novice driver which certain restrictions and obligations.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Nope. It also applies when you are resident/registered in CH. A close friend of mine did it!

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

You are saying you can go abroad, continue to be registered in Switzerland, and get your driving licence abroad?

No, as long as you are registered in Switzerland and then go abroad to get a new licence, this one is not valid in Switzerland.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Since a false declaration would have been made, it's probably not valid anywhere......
But NOT the British meaning of the word.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

For example? I would have to use the L on my back window? :rolleyes:

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

You could interpret the law as much as you like. The friend who did it, has converted her driving licence (she had to attend the two additional courses) and she is driving with it in CH! BTW, it's the OCN who told her about that!

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

So does every country in the EU. You exchange your licence for the one issued by the country you are resident in, you don't get to hold the two licences simultaneously.

The key is the two additional courses. She was treated as a novice driver so could only convert her licence under certain conditions ( taking the additional courses within a certain time frame).

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Easy tiger! When you move to any country and exchange your previous driving licence it will be retained and sent back to the issuing country. It does mean that should you move (back) there you can get the driving license reissued.

Bit less invective against the Swiss please!

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

That's correct! She had a 3-year time range to attend the two courses (which do not include any exam)!

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

My Swiss licence was valid for 1 year as a visitor, and only 6 months once resident. Did you ever try then, to swap your licence in pre EU/reciprocal agreements days? Perhaps you were not born ?

And yes, I had to drive with an L - didn't realise that until just before the test- in Walton-on-Thames - MIL made 2 with lipstick on cardboard and tied them to the TR4 with ribbon. The Examiner checked, gave me a funny look but didn't say anything, but passed me - saying 'powerful car, you will be careful out there' - before I had to pull him out of the car as he was huge ;)

You won't believe me of course - but I truly don't care:p

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Sure you can. I got mine back with a sticker that said 'not valid in Switzerland '
Others on the forum have as well.

But at least she did not have to the exam, the CPR course and the practical lessons. The exam is a huge PITA, particularly in Vaud that has the highest fail rate and the classes are expensive!

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

That in 1970!!! Things have changed quite a lot since then.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

I believe every word of your DL conversion story.

Telling people that 'of course', 'probably' Brexit will affect UK driver's licenses in CH, is just plain silly. CH isn't even in the EU FFS.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Yes, Minimia- my post was quite clear, about things having changed since 1970- that was the point, entirely ...


No Pilatus- but it has reciprocal agreements with the EU - which will probably no longer be valid with the UK, post Brexit :rolleyes: - of course this won't affect the reciprocal agreements with other EU countries.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Was it an EU licence? My post was only referring to EU licences.
I thought that EU licences were retained and returned to the issuing authorities whereas non EU were returned but with the not valid in Switzerland sticker on them.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Were you really UK resident at the time........
This is presumably before you went as a to the UK as a secretary, then got married & stayed in the UK for 40 years.
Canadians & Americans can swop their licenses as can many other 3rd country citizens.

From your final paragraph you were already married, I call BS to some of your claims.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

oh I know you do - enjoy.

Yep, got to UK early 1970, just after taking both car and motorcycle licences in CH- Returned to CH late 70 after 6 months assignment with Beechams- had car accident December 1970 in CH, on my way to UK- got married May 71, in a CH hospital. Rejoined OH in London July 71- had to re-take driving licence later in 71. I know you won't believe it - but that is fine, dear.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

So are you saying your Swiss license could not be converted to a UK license, which is different from your UK license not being transferable to CH.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Why would things revert back to how it was in 1970? That's just silly. You don't think they have an updated law they could copy?

Yes. Good point. I skipped over those two letters. :D
Mine was a non EU license.

Re: Driving License conversion problem
 

Simply because they are part of a reciprocal agreement which won't be valid with UK anymore. No-one knows what will happen- but it is possible. It will probably apply to many things re UK, work permits, pensions, reciprocal health agreements, bringing spouses (as my initial work permit was for 6 months- I had to return to CH, and the only way I could come back, was for us to marry, aged 19 and 24) ...who knows?

Just remembered FMF, I have 2 retired Senior cops in GE who could testify if your Lordship requires- and a few in Verbier too (are you still there, pretending you are in Malta?) and a Judge and senior policeman in Valais- if you so desire.

Over and out for a while, ta.