FYI I have just been to Roth Optik on Stauffacherstrasse.

I stated that I needed an eye test for my driving license.

They gave me the form you need to apply for a Swiss driving license then tested my eyes and stamped it.

10CHF and 10 mins total.

yes, normally you also get this blue form when you get the papers for a drivers licence.

If you wear glasses, it's very likely that your regular optician will test you for free btw

doh! 10CHF wasted

Thanks Peachy. I already did mine at Grand Optical on Bahnhofstrasse for chf20. Service was great, speaks good English, so I am happy.

I don't have regular optician here so I'll probably have to pay regardless.

I searched the questions but still need clarification: Do I first go to the place (big word that starts with a "S" and I don't remember it) bringing my passport photos etc.... and THEN they send me to an optomatrist? OR...do I go to get my eyes checked first, get the paper stamped by the optomatrist and THEN go down to the office to register for a licence? If it's the latter, someone please tell me where I get this form that the eye doctor must sign.
Thanks..

driving licence conversion you mean?

So to confirm: if I have a current, valid US driver's license, I can get a Swiss license without ever having to sit in a car? Even if I am not a US citizen (though resident for a while)? Also, it is better for me to get a Swiss license for insurance purposes?

I think US get the easy-switch and you'll probably get it back

you're allowed a year on your foreign licence and then they might get shirty.
Insurance? You'll pay foreigner rates without the Red Passport.

Summary of steps:

1. Get applicaiton form for Driving Licence (apparently opticians might have these because.....)
2. Get blue (IIRC) form stamped after having an eye test at an opticians (could cost money, if you have specs then go to your optician and you might get lucky)
3. Get a COLOUR PHOTO (not B/W)
4. Send/take your existing licence + photo + form + stamped eye test to driving licence office (if you're sending in, include a photocopy of your permit - if you go personally, take your permit)
5. Get licence and bill in the post

Soonich, the answer to your question is yes.
Even if your US driver's license expires here, they'll accept.

And for the other question as to the sequence.
1. get the form (can get it from the transportation office at Uetlibergstrasse and i was told some optician has it as well)
2. then go to an optician/optometrist to get your eye check and they'll fill in the neccessary section for you)
3. then bring your driver's license, attach a passport sized picture and submit to the office.
4. if your license does not fall under the list of countries where automatic conversion is permitted, you'll be given a date to do your driving test, which is a case for me.

hope this helps.

Correct - you can get it the same way you got your US license - without sitting in a car.

That's a joke people. Just in case that wasn't clear.

Conversion is pretty straight forward you just need to do an eye test - but there's a billion-and-one messages about eye tests further up this thread and on other threads.

To clarify - you MUST get a Swiss license within 1 year of living here. The type of license hsa nothing to do with your insurance, but strangely, your NATIONALITY will make a difference to the price. Sorry - hope it's a good one.

Nearly all, if not all Motor Registries have the form downloadable in PDF format on their respective websites. The forms are Kanton-specific so make sure you download the right form from the right website.

Thanks all, for the clarifications. I'll keep you guys posted on how things go.

In Zurich, you can also get the forms from the Kreisbuero, and I was told by the Strassenverkehrsamt in Uetliberg that you can also submit your filled out forms there.

Hi. I am gonna take the practical test (dont remember whatever it is called in German .. something like ...prufung) on 21st of November. It has only been 7 months since I came but I just wanted to deal with this driver licence problem right away. Ive been driving on the streets since the first day I came to Zurich so I was pretty condifent of my driving until I spoke to a few people about this test. Its kinda scary to hear that you are only given one chance to pass the test. Could anyone tell me more about their experiences in this practical test? tips, hints, test content etc.? My German is still horrible.. is it really a problem to take this test with a German speaking instructor?

Barish, I know we have discussed the test itself and some of the rules behind it on here before. Perhaps look around a little and see if you can locate the thread where the test is discussed specifically. I recall that someone was asking about the test in English for their daughter, and they got some answers.

Hi

Just read through this thread but it seems its more about converting a SA driving license, is this different to converting an EU licence?

We need to convert our UK licences over before our 12 months are up which is soon!! so we need to get it sorted to avoid having to take another test but this mention of eye tests, do you need to take an eye test even if you switch your license over before the 12 months deadline?

Also I have been told we need a form to fill in to change the license over, I saw this link in the above thread http://www.stva.zh.ch/internet/ds/st...aw_auslfa.html are the pdf's on this page the forms we need to fill out?

Thanks in advance for any help

Nicky

eye test however you proceed Nicky....

Print the lower of the two PDFs and take it to the opticians to get stamped. Also remember you need passport pictures - in colour.

OK cheers Lob, are eye tests expensive here? We wern't expecting to have to take a test! oh well, i'll go to that one you recommended in Oerlikon that speaks English

My husband had the eye test done for his motorbike license recently & it cost CHF15 so it's not expensive.

I converted my UK license start of 2006.
Yes, you need the eye test. Cost me CHF 20.

That link is the one I used.

I filled in my bit, Optician filled on section 3, then I took it to my local government offices (Gemeinde or Kreisbüro).
And I forget if they or I sent it to the stva.

Took a week to get ms Swiss card sized one.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy