you are so righti ddint see the entry date at the corner...i guess i cant play ignorant any more...so shame

and i wear thick glasses, i havent touched the wheel for couple months...I m scared to death...and I saw recently soooo many car accident death cases....maybe better stick to train? but my parents are going to come visit me....train here in Switzerland are sooo expensive!!

You need lessons, take them.

I read through most of the posts on here before trying to convert my US license. I read that you could only convert your license until 1 year after entering, but had heard some people did it within 14 or 15 months and were still allowed. I have been here for 18 months but thought I would still try it anyways - figuring the worst case is that I play ignorant but they still don't give me a Swiss license. Surprisingly the woman said it was no problem at all, sent it away and I received my Swiss license in only 2 days. I think this was the first time that I was expecting a huge headache and didn't have any problems at all!
So for anyone who isn't sure of the deadline for converting their license, if you are within 2 years of entering I'd say just give it a try!

This is a fairly common experience. You go to them, no problems, worst is a telling off. They have to come to you i.e. you get pulled over by the cops and they get very ****y.

abzurich just for clarification as i have a colleague in the same boat, exactly which office did you go to? Winterthur? Horgen? Zürich-Albisguetli or Regensdorf?

Much appreciated in advance.

I went to the Zurich one. I just had my license renewed while I was home over Christmas so I had to give both current and old license (this was commented on before on the forum) but that was the only question they had. I received both licenses back, with the current one having the sticker saying "not valid in Switzerland". Like I said, the people working there were really nice. I am sure your colleague will have no problems

What does "converting" your driving license mean? Do you lose your previous nationality's driving license?

Also, I couldn't find official information, but from some resources I understand that if I bring an Israeli driving license and an international driving license, I can get a Swiss license for some fee, without having to take a new test, right?

Thanks,
-- Tom

have you read the whole thread? I can tell that you have not.

You will lose your licence and you will find a list of countries which are allowed a direct SWAP without test. Others will need a check-drive.

Both things depend on the country where you hold your license. The list of countries where you DO need to take a test changes frequently but Israel is not currently on it.

For some countries the existing license is taken in and sent back to the issuing authority (UK for example). For others, the current license is just stamped "invalid in SWitzerland" (USA for example).

Admittedly, no. I read the first four pages and saw that most posts are related to the test and lessons, and none of the first answered my question.

I did however use Search in the thread to look for posts with relevant information. May have missed the one, sorry.

So I suppose it then depends on my home country how easy I could get it back if I ever return.

Israel has relatively tough laws regarding driving licenses, requiring many lessons and relatively difficult tests (most people don't pass the first test, and it's relatively common to need to take a few tests before you pass), and making it quite difficult to convert a foreign license. That's why I have been asking.

Yeah, I found several such lists, but they differ, and most but not all of them contain Israel. So I wasn't sure what the official condition is.

I suppose I'll just check this issue after I move. I mostly hope not to need to drive (and don't intend owning a car), and I know that I can use my international license (issued in Israel) for up to a year, so I have time.

Thanks,
-- Tom

Tom, post 90

But then it looks like you need to do a control drive with an examiner

Yes, seen that. But does this apply to both the practical and theoretical tests?

What's the different between that and a test?

Sorry for my newbie-ness... I now read the whole (long) thread, and it just confused me further.

Thanks,
-- Tom

OK, licences issued in the countries listed in post 90 are automatically swapped out.

most other full licences will be swapped after you do a formal control drive - which I think it likely to be easier than a normal test. Someone may confirm or deny this

Thanks. So I understand I can just swap my Israeli license.

If they stamp your old license it "Not valid in Switzerland", it's still valid in your home country? Can you also renew it in your home country then?

Sorry for not reading the full thread the first time. I know now I should have.

-- Tom

from post #1 by gooner

I'm sorry, again.

My Italian friend has been told that he must change his Italian driving license to a Swiss one next week which he has no problem doing apart from the Strassenverkersamt have told him that with a Swiss license he can no longer drive his fully insured & legally his Italian car in Switzerland. He does not want to import the car as he is planning on selling it but needs it for the next 3 months until his new Swiss car is here. Has anyone else encountered this?

how long has he been here? In theory, 12 months by the sound of it.

And that's when you should officially import the car. Worst case though, is that they tell you to either import the car or take it out - I did that at 18 months with a Swiss licence.....most likely grassed up by neighbours. Got to see the customs guys who were ok.

With a B permit only about 5 months but was here on an L before that.

as EU they probably gave hima B with the original start date of the L is this the case?

need more info