Spontanbewerbung

Conversion of Foreign Driver’s License

The most important information about the conversion of foreign driving licenses

(Legal basis: the Traffic Admission Regulation VZV)

 

1. Conversion deadlines

 

1.1. How long can a driver use a foreign driving license to drive vehicles in Switzerland if they hold a valid national driving license?

For 12 months. After this period, the foreign license can no longer be used in Switzerland and must be converted into a Swiss driving license.

 

Exceptions:

Persons who wish to drive motor vehicles of categories C, C1, D, and D1 for professional purposes in Switzerland must have the corresponding Swiss driving license before their first professional trip.

 

Those wishing to transport persons professionally with vehicles of categories B, B1, C, C1, F need a Swiss driving license and the corresponding permit. The driving license and permit must be acquired before the first trip.

 

1.2. What happens if the validity of the foreign driving license expires before/after entering Switzerland?

Only a valid foreign driving license can be converted into a Swiss driving license. Expired foreign licenses cannot be converted.

 

2. Conditions for acquiring a Swiss driving license

 

2.1. Under what condition are foreign driving licenses recognized?

They are recognized if:

  • They were legally issued by the foreign authority and have not expired
  • The holder has reached the required age in Switzerland

 

 

 

2.2. Are driving licenses issued abroad to persons residing in Switzerland accepted?
Driving licenses obtained abroad are recognized if the acquisition occurred during a stay of at least 12 continuous months in the issuing country.

 

  1. 3. Required documents

What documents are needed for the conversion?

  • Application form
  • Foreign driving license (original)
  • Foreign ID
  • A recent color passport photo (35 x 45 mm)
  • Vision test (to be confirmed on the application form)
  • Documents with special characters require an officially certified translation
  • For German driving licenses (if authorized for category C1 or class 3), a confirmation of authorization up to 7.5 tons must be attached (www.fuehrerausweise.ch)

 

  1. 4. Examination (Control Drive)

A Swiss driving license of the corresponding category will be issued to the holder of a valid national foreign driving license if they demonstrate their knowledge of traffic rules and ability to drive vehicles of the categories for which the license is valid through a practical control drive.

 

4.1. Who is exempt from the control drive?

Exempt are holders of driving licenses from an EU/EFTA state: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, Cyprus, as well as Andorra, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, Korea (Republic), Croatia, Morocco, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Singapore, Tunisia, USA.

 

If the holder from an EU, EFTA, or other state (license exchange without control drive according to ASTRA instructions of September 29, 2007) exchanges their foreign driving license more than five years after their entry, they must take a control drive.

 

All countries not listed must undergo a control drive.

 

4.2. Who must take a theoretical examination for professional driving of motor vehicles?

No control drive is required, but a theoretical examination for professional driving of motor vehicles must be taken for driving licenses from: Andorra, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, Korea (Republic), Croatia, Morocco, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Singapore, Tunisia, USA.

 

4.3. Who must take both a control drive and a theoretical examination for professional driving of motor vehicles?

All applicants from the other countries not listed in point 4.2.

 

5. The control drive

 

5.1. What must be brought to the control drive?

  • A roadworthy vehicle
  • The vehicle registration of the examination vehicle
  • Identification papers (passport, foreign ID, ID card)
  • The invitation to the control drive

 

5.2. How long do you have after submitting the application to complete the control drive?

The control drive must generally be completed within 2 months from the submission of the application.

 

5.3. Can a failed control drive be repeated?

No. We recommend that you have your driving skills checked by a driving instructor.

 

5.4. What are the consequences of failing the control drive?

  • The foreign driving license will be revoked
  • Driving is no longer allowed in Switzerland
  • A Swiss driving license must be obtained through the regular procedure

 

5.5. What does it mean to acquire a Swiss driving license through the regular procedure?

  • Submission of the form "Application for a Learner's or Driver's License"
  • Completion of a first aid course
  • Theory exam
  • Traffic education
  • Practical driving test

 

5.6. What happens if you miss the control drive appointment without an excuse?

If you miss the scheduled control drive appointment without an excuse, the control drive is considered failed. As a result, your driving license will be revoked indefinitely. The control drive cannot be repeated (Art. 29 VZV) and will be charged in any case.

 

5.7. Can a control drive be completed later for a higher category that was waived during the initial control drive?

       No, this category can only be obtained through the regular procedure at a later time.

 

6. After the conversion

 

6.1. What happens to the foreign driving license after conversion?

  • Driving licenses from EU/EFTA countries will be returned to the issuing country
  • Driving licenses from non-EU/EFTA countries will be marked with "Not valid in Switzerland" and returned to the applicant
  • Driving licenses of persons with foreign permits F, N, or S will be sent to the Federal Office for Migration (BFM)

 

7. Notes

 

7.1. Cross-border commuters

Persons who wish to operate motor vehicles in Switzerland in the categories C and C1 (trucks), D (buses), or D1 professionally need a Swiss driving license immediately (before starting the first professional trip). This also applies to anyone wishing to perform professional passenger transport with categories F, B, B1, or higher.

 

7.2. Swiss driving license on probation

Holders of a valid foreign driving license, which authorizes the operation of motor vehicles in category A or B, will be issued a Swiss driving license on probation. The probation period begins with the issuance of the Swiss driving license. It lasts three years, minus the period between the issue date of the foreign driving license and the last regular conversion date. It applies to all previously acquired license categories and to those acquired during the probation period.