Hi,

I'm turning 18 in a few months, which means I can start working on drivers exams, theoretical, practical, first aid etc.. in just a few weeks. The problem is, my vision is at a feeble 40% on both eyes. Now I know this isn't enough for driving standards in Switzerland, but it is in many other parts of the world. My question is, would it be possible to complete my licence in say, Canada, where the legal visual acuity is 40%, and transfer the credentials here, without any additional exams, specifically, optical ones?

I realize it wouldn't be the most responsible thing to do, considering my vision may have an impact on my driving, yet, in my position, as an excited 17 year old, my judgement won't rationalize passing up an opportunity to curb the rules (legally) to obtain a long awaited drivers licence. So, logistically speaking, would this be possible?

any additional thoughts?

- Cheers

Simple answer is no.
Any driving licence obtained outside of Switzerland has to be converted to a Swiss licence within 12mths after moving to the country. This process involves a compulsorary eye test.

As you are a full time resident in Switzerland, how do you know how long it would take you to pass your test in Canada? How would you support yourself?

Well simple research would suggest that 3 months is enough for a learners licence, and after asking about my local commune, you can complete the valid licence here with a foreign learners licence, this is of course only for some countries. And the compulsory eye test doesn't add up to me as both my parents had their licence made in Dubai and neither had to take any additional eye tests, the licence was accepted without further complications.

How sad for a fellow of your age. The minimum requirement is only 0.5 for the better eye and 0.2 for the other. Can't you achieve that with a new pair of glasses?

Unfortunately not, after multiple surgeries I went from 7% to 40% but it won't go any higher anymore unless the science does . It isn't an optical problem, it's a retinal one (detachment, tearing). I'm pretty much stuck with what I can work with for the rest of my life. That's why I'm trying to find an alternative in this situation, driving seems to be the biggest obstacle so far. Worst case I'll move to Togo where you don't need a licence to drive .

Sorry...

https://www.expatica.com/ch/moving-t...nd_102892.html

Well I guess I'll have to resort to bribing a local optometrist for the extra 10%

Please stop and think for a bit. Sure, it's all very liberating to get the right to drive, at last, but that really pales compared to the loss of liberty you'll experience when you're locked up for several years after killing somebody with your car because you just couldn't see them.

Sure, that's an extreme statement, but it's far from out of the realms of all possibility if you have such degraded eyesight.

Don't try to game the system.

I wish you the best of luck in this country for such..

On the form for the conversion of foreign licenses there is a box to be compiled by an optometrist or a doctor with all eyesight information and a decision. There is no difference on that front.
Giving false information can lead to a fine (or up to 3 years of jail). I don't see a professional taking that risk.
It's not all bad for people without a license, public transportation is good, ebikes are getting better and better, you have an excuse for not being the designated driver and you can use the money on something else (like a taxi/uber). Lots of young people don't even bother getting a license or a car anymore.

I would say that while this situation sucks for you, it is great good for the drivers of Switzerland. No-one needs another dangerous driver on the roads.

If you actually manage to trick the system please let us know where you will be driving and when so that we can avoid that bit if the road.

Yeah no i know, it was a joke, CH is the last place I could ever bribe someone

Are you allowed to bicycle?

you don't need a license to ride a bike..

Doesn´t mean you are allowed ride a bike with poor eye sight. Ebikes can go pretty fast...

Do you ride one?

There are no visual acuity laws governing bicycles. The police can't randomly stop you in the street and ask for an eye exam when you're riding your bike. So yes, I'm allowed to ride a bike. E-bikes that go faster than 25 km/h on low throttle require a license, but that's about it.

So blind folks are allowed to ride bikes here?

Would a blind person ever get on a bike and ride it into traffic?