[Drivers licence] Conversion and questions - Page 22

sansblague · #**421** 05.08.2008, 13:03

Thank you so much. That is exactly what I assumed they wanted. I wish I came from an actual state where they kept records and such instead of being born in Washington, DC in the 1970's! At least they have some electoral votes now. Well, now my year deadline is quickly approaching, so now I have really face the music and explain that these can't be got.

magyir · #**422** 05.08.2008, 17:09

	Quote:	Lou
	No his B has the start date from when it was issued 5 months ago & he has not been asked to import his Italian car.

The date in his B is the date the authorities will work from. The period on an L is not counted.

magyir · #**423** 05.08.2008, 17:14

	Quote:
	Interesting experience in Bern today. We went to get our US licenses converted. We were worried because my husband's US license expired in March, before he had a chance to have an eye exam - because of some past eye problems, he needed to have an opthalmologist give him a peripheral vision test. So that was fine, and we finally had everything in hand. My husband is a dual Dutch-US citizen, and generally for these sorts of things lists his nationality as Dutch. Or maybe it's just that all the Swiss seem to care about is the fact that he has EU citizenship. He got his first driver's license in the Netherlands, right before he came to the US about 17 years ago. He got a US license some time later. In Bern, they didn't care so much about when he got the US license and the fact it was expired. But they were very happy to take his expired Dutch license(it expired in 1999) as evidence of having passed a road test at some point. I'm not quite sure that i understand all of this, it might have been because his US license had been damaged and was replaced a year ago in May but expired in March, or it might be because he had a Dutch passport (EU based C permit), but a US license. At any rate, they took his expired Dutch license and the form and he should have his Swiss license in about a week. He won't get his Dutch license back, of course. As for me, since I am a US citizen with a US license they took my stuff and it wasn't a problem. But I remember reading something here about proving that you had driving experience, and I looked through all sorts of boxes and so forth to find his expired Dutch license, and I'm glad I did. Otherwise, I suppose we'd have to write to where he got his license in the US for a statement. Anyway, thanks! Elaine

Two things were important here:

Although the license had expired (it does every 10 years in NL) his category driving entitlement hadn't (and you had the original document to exchange).
He was exchanging an NL license recognised under the bilateral implementation since April 2003.

In general an EU document is exchangeable up to ten years after expiry, whereas a non-EU document is limited to one year.

CCLuins · #**424** 05.08.2008, 17:26

Hi - just read the whole thread and wanted to add my 2c worth. Be glad you CAN convert your SA license, I renewed mine just before coming to Switzerland and it has been stolen from the Centurion licensing office. It will now cost me a flight back to SA to reapply, then wait 2 months again and hope I get it this time, before I can apply to convert to swiss.

My husband is in the middle of the conversion process here in Vaud canton. The only thing I'd like to add is that don't wait till too long before the 12 months expiry, because he has to wait 2 months for a testing appointment. If you cut it too fine, you may miss the date and have to do the whole shebang, which is a very expensive exercise (I heard it costs about CHF2000).

Good luck!!

elstv · #**425** 13.08.2008, 22:36

Hello,

I have another problem than the foreign driving licence (I was lucky enough to already get the Swiss one), and this problems is driving a foreign-plates car in Switzerland.
I am here for more than one year now and would like to know how long can I still drive my foreign-plates car (which is by the way bought in leasing, so I'm not the owner yet, meaning I can't change the plates...).
And, in case I'm driving it "ilegally" and police stops me, what would be the fine / consequences?

Thanks a lot for your help... desperatedly needed :-)

telandy · #**426** 13.08.2008, 22:44

	Quote:	elstv
	Hello, I have another problem than the foreign driving licence (I was lucky enough to already get the Swiss one), and this problems is driving a foreign-plates car in Switzerland. I am here for more than one year now and would like to know how long can I still drive my foreign-plates car (which is by the way bought in leasing, so I'm not the owner yet, meaning I can't change the plates...). And, in case I'm driving it "ilegally" and police stops me, what would be the fine / consequences? Thanks a lot for your help... desperatedly needed :-)

You have to change the plates within one year. You also need to have customs documentation, proof of import into Switzerland. Does your leasing company know that the car is in Switzerland and given you permission on to be in Switzerland? I think that you could be in danger if you get stopped by the Police. No idea what the fine would be. Maybe they would convescate the car!

ITguy · #**427** 20.08.2008, 23:18

Hi,

I had a driving licence from Ireland on 06.09.2006 and then i moved to Switzerland in Nov 06. I converted my license to Swiss one in Jun 07 and i was issued a credit card type licence with a deadline date of Mar 09 mentioned in 4B section in the card. I had a full irish driving license of category B valid until 2016. But i just received a letter from canton authorities that i need to take 2 day course of driving before Mar 09. Did anybody experience this before? They are looking me to take the course and provide the completion certificate. I don't know why as i had a EU license. I am a non-EU though by nationality. Thx in advance for your replies.

volodymyr · #**428** 22.08.2008, 14:03

Hello everyone,

I found no reply on my question, so I will ask it here. I have ukranian driver license with A(unlimited motorcycles) and B(cars) categories, and soon I will need to convert it into Swiss one. It seems like I will have to pass a practical test. The question is, would it be enough to pass practical test on car only? Should I also pass a practical test on motorcycle?

I appriciate any hints on this issue,

Thanks.

gooner · #**429** 22.08.2008, 14:29

	Quote:	volodymyr
	Hello everyone, I found no reply on my question, so I will ask it here. I have ukranian driver license with A(unlimited motorcycles) and B(cars) categories, and soon I will need to convert it into Swiss one. It seems like I will have to pass a practical test. The question is, would it be enough to pass practical test on car only? Should I also pass a practical test on motorcycle? I appriciate any hints on this issue, Thanks.

Car only. Whichever vehicles are included in your current licence should also be exchanged.

I exchanged a South African licence that included motorbikes. I only had to do the test for cars and exchange my licence for cars. My Swiss licence now includes cars and bikes.

volodymyr · #**430** 22.08.2008, 14:32

Thanks for the reply!

Well, this is a really great news! Did you have an A category for unlimited moto? ... I assume just because I have A and not A1 they can ask me for a test rides and other stuff on moto.

gooner · #**431** 22.08.2008, 14:36

	Quote:	volodymyr
	Thanks for the reply! Well, this is a really great news! Did you have an A category for unlimited moto? ... I assume just because I have A and not A1 they can ask me for a test rides and other stuff on moto.

Yes, A B BE F

Strangely enough my South African licence for bikes was for a 50cc motorcycle from when I was a teeny-bopper. Now I can drive big motors. Vroom.

I suggest you call and ask the strassenverkehrsamt.

naza · #**432** 22.08.2008, 15:24

Hi,

ok having read through most of this thread I understood the following on the first page of this post

12 months driving with "original" license is possible, after 12 months the "original" license must be swapped for a Swiss license (this can entail eye exam, driving test or not depending on country of the license being swapped).

In my case I have a EU license (Portugal). I've been in Vaud for 10 months (without a car) so I didn't really think about my driver's license. Last week I had my driver's license stolen

and since all driver's licenses in Portugal are being renewed they have a 4 month backlog

. I do have a police report stating my driver's license was stolen and they did give me a document allowing me to drive (in Portugal only) until my new driver's license arrives.

So, when I receive the new driver's license it will potentially have passed the 12 month period.

Q1: can I do anything now in Switzerland with the police report and the document that permits me driving in Portugal (my guess is no but any thoughts would help me)

Q2: when I receive my new Portuguese driver's license (after the 12 month period) can I simply do the license exchange procedure or will I have to go through all the tests (including theoretical test in French!!

)

Thanks,
naza

gooner · #**433** 22.08.2008, 15:30

	Quote:	naza
	Hi, ok having read through most of this thread I understood the following on the first page of this post 12 months driving with "original" license is possible, after 12 months the "original" license must be swapped for a Swiss license (this can entail eye exam, driving test or not depending on country of the license being swapped). In my case I have a EU license (Portugal). I've been in Vaud for 10 months (without a car) so I didn't really think about my driver's license. Last week I had my driver's license stolen and since all driver's licenses in Portugal are being renewed they have a 4 month backlog . I do have a police report stating my driver's license was stolen and they did give me a document allowing me to drive (in Portugal only) until my new driver's license arrives. So, when I receive the new driver's license it will potentially have passed the 12 month period. Q1: can I do anything now in Switzerland with the police report and the document that permits me driving in Portugal (my guess is no but any thoughts would help me) Q2: when I receive my new Portuguese driver's license (after the 12 month period) can I simply do the license exchange procedure or will I have to go through all the tests (including theoretical test in French!! ) Thanks, naza

Can you get proof of a Portuguese licence before you get your replacement?

Also, call the Service des Automobile and ask them.

Check this great site http://strassenverkehrsamt.ch/

liberie · #**434** 22.08.2008, 15:57

Hello gooner

I did also converted my License last Monday , I did applied for A and B since I hold a Brasilian License since 1997

and on Wednesday I did receive my License but B only
did you do something special to have your A converted too ? , or can give me some advices on how to convert it,

having a YZF-R1 just getting dust by not riding it is not fun

gooner · #**435** 22.08.2008, 16:02

	Quote:	liberie
	Hello gooner I did also converted my License last Monday , I did applied for A and B since I hold a Brasilian License since 1997 and on Wednesday I did receive my License but B only did you do something special to have your A converted too ? , or can give me some advices on how to convert it, having a YZF-R1 just getting dust by not riding it is not fun

Hi,

Did you ask for it to be converted along with your car licence?

What did the http://strassenverkehrsamt.ch/ say?

volodymyr · #**436** 22.08.2008, 16:05

Normally, when you fill a convertation form, you have to put checks for categories. Did you put checks for A and B?

What is your canton? I am going to convert license in Vaud ...

liberie · #**437** 22.08.2008, 16:48

I Did ask for both on the form , the lady told me that will be both
but I received just B (just to be more clear)

Canton ZRH

volodymyr · #**438** 22.08.2008, 17:03

I asked local SAN the same question, and here is what they told me:

"Etant donné que vous avez les catégories A et B, vous ferez l'examen de la catégorie B. En cas de réussite, nous vous octroierons les 2 catégories."

Which means: taking into account that you have A and B categories, you will have to pass on B. If you will pass test successfully, you will get 2 categories.

So, I guess you have to call ASAP the local SAN office and explain them the situation.

liberie · #**439** 22.08.2008, 17:18

volodymyr

I did ask a friend here at work, and he will go with me monday there to try to clarify this (he is swiss) , but likely is a screw up from the stva

volodymyr · #**440** 22.08.2008, 17:25

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