If you are traveling to an English speaking country with your Swiss drivers licence, it is worthwhile to carry an English translation. i do this instead of an International Drivers Licence.

Here is the official translation of the Swiss licence.

http://www.astra2.admin.ch/media/pdf...-15_2264_e.pdf

Thanks! Although translations are not required in Europe for European licences as they are standardised (categories/item numbers, etc.). Maybe in other countries like the States or parts of, but then they may prefer the IDP.

Present a foreign license in the US and you'll be likely to get a stern warning instead of a ticket. The cops and courts arent set up to deal with minor driving infractions for foreigners. I present my Swiss license instead of my US license) when stopped in the US :-)

Since it is the summer time and people are traveling, I figured that I would bump this thread so people could print out the copy of the English translation of the CH driver's license. It might come in handy when renting a car or dealing with the boys in blue.

Safe driving.

Bumping as the link is now broken...

Try this one: https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/a...ersetzung.html which links to http://www.astra2.admin.ch/media/pdf...-12_2665_e.pdf

If that fails, search on google for führerscheinübersetzung site:admin.ch

The irony is that you link to the German page rather than the English.

Searched in German - didn't bother to check if they'd translated the page. Are they all translated?

I have done this for years while in the US and have bet let off (with a stern warning too!) at least 3 tickets for minor offenses by presenting a foreign license

It works like a charm every time! The last time I was stopped, the officer asked if I had I had a PA license and I just replied, "I'm sorry officer! I live in Singapore; is that a problem?" - even though I do have a PA license. Was so happy to learn that, unlike in Singapore, that there is no expiry for Swiss licenses!

your 2nd link gave me the English translation

So let me get this right, you told the copper you lived in Singapore and presented him with a Swiss licence, which means that as a "foreigner" travelling in Merika, you were also required to back that up with a passport, in your case a US one? Surprised you weren't shot on sight!

No... while living in Singapore and back in the US on holiday I was stopped by a policeman a few times- hence my story. At the time I showed him my Sing license. Don't know what you mean by showing a passport to prove where one resides; that certainly isn't the protocol in the US as quite a few Americans don't even have a passport let alone carry one around while driving.

ah right, got ya.


Regarding the passport, I am talking as a tourist in the US. I never used to carry one with me when in the US visiting family, then one day I was stopped for speeding on I95 driving a family member in their car. Copper asked for the usual documents, gave him my Swiss licence and Swiss ID card. He asked me for my passport, told him it's at home, he told me that as a foreigner driving in the US it was required to have a passport at all times, said it was to back up the licence presented. I guess as they are not sure what many foreign licences look like, and whether it was a fake or not, having a passport in the same name would be further proof it is the same person.

I think it may also depend on the mood of the policeman involved - sad but true! As I am from the US, I was never lectured about having to prove where I lived. Suffice it to say, they begrudgingly let me off. Then again, speeding is consider a major traffic violation in the US (heavy fines). I was pulled over for lame reasons: broken tail light, headlights not turned on at dusk (really??) etc... I never knew that a foreigner driving in the US, had to carry a passport and license while driving. Then again, maybe the guy you were dealing with was xenophobic and ticked he could not make his quota and issue you a ticket :msnwink

oh no, I did get a ticket, for driving at 80 mph...and I went "och sorry, that's about 128 kmh right? I was looking at the wrong numbers Mr policeman...stupidly not concentrating and 'cos I'm used to that speed at home".
Smokey (he had mirrored specs on) explained that as it was over a certain %, the ticket would be sent via post after being issued by the courts...or the judge...or Mr Trump...somebody or other. They took my family member's address, which was the same address information they had on my visa waiver, and I was told I could pay online. The fine arrived after I left, it was about $ 250 and I paid it online.
He told me he was in a good mood that day, we actually both had a wee laugh about it Mr policeman and me (especially the Scottish accent accompanied by a Swiss licence...he wanted an explanation!), and he told me he would not fine me for not carrying my passport whilst driving, which he was entitled to do.
Nice chap.

And who doesn't love the Scottish accent?

Those links again. I'm trying to have the last word here to help others who search for the info:

https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/a...ersetzung.html which links to http://www.astra2.admin.ch/media/pdf...-12_2665_e.pdf

If that fails, search on google for führerscheinübersetzung site:admin.ch

Current English link here.

Edit: I rented from Europcar. As I was already in their system as a privilege customer (you just register for that), no translation was needed.