How to Get a Swiss Driving Licence for Foreigners

Can a foreigner get a Switzerland driving license?

You can get a Swiss driving licence for foreigners if you are 18 years or older. Switzerland allows foreigners to drive using their foreign license for up to 12 months. After that, you must exchange it for a Swiss one. Foreigners with a license from EU/ EEA countries (Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein) can complete the exchange without taking a Swiss driving test. But if your license is from a non-EU/EEA country, you may be required to apply and pass the theory and practical driving test. 

If you don’t have a driver's license in your home country, you can get one by following Swiss requirements. Unlike exchanging your local licence, this process has more steps and requirements. It includes taking a first-aid course, an eye control test with a specialist, and passing a driving theory and practical test. 

Note: If you are driving with a foreign license not issued in German, French, Italian, or English, you must get an international driving permit. If you can't provide the Switzerland international driver's license plus the foreign driver's license, you must have a translation of the document. This translation must be done by an official service (e.g. the local authority responsible for issuing the national driving license, a notary, or an approved professional translator).

Who needs to exchange their licence in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, you need a Swiss license if you reside there for more than 12 months. These rules apply to the following categories: 

• New residents: If you have just taken up residence in Switzerland for over 12 months, you must exchange your driver's permit to continue driving there. This requirement is mandatory for drivers with EU, EEA, and other foreign countries' driving licences. However, for non-EU/EEA countries, you must confirm if your country has a reciprocity agreement with Switzerland. If they don’t, you must apply for a standard Swiss driving licence.
• Government employees without legitimation (diplomatic) status: Foreign licence holders with the B, C, D, E, or P-type "carte de légitimation” are exempt from exchanging driving permits. Others must comply within the 12-month validity period.
• Professional drivers: If you drive professionally, you must exchange your driver's license in Switzerland. However, unlike others, you must complete the exchange process before driving professionally. 

Note: The 12-month grace period for foreigners to drive in Switzerland starts from their residency date.

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Who is exempt from converting their driver’s license in Switzerland

If you are visiting Switzerland briefly, you can drive with a valid foreign license without exchanging it. However, your stay time must be less than 12 months. 

Additionally, foreigners working as members of permanent missions (PM) and international organisations (IO) are exempt from the obligation to exchange driving permits. They include:

• Heads of mission (PM): Members of the senior management (IO) (holders of a "B" legitimation card)
• Diplomatic agents (PM): High-ranking officials (IO) (holders of a "C" legitimation card)
• Administrative and technical staff members (PM): Officials in a professional category (IO) (holders of a "D" legitimation card)
• Service staff members (PM) - Officials in general services (IO) (holders of an "E" legitimation card)
• Civil servants on short-term contracts (holders of a "G" legitimation card)
• Non-Swiss members of the personnel of the ICRC (holders of an "I" legitimation card)
• Non-Swiss members of personnel of the IFRC (holders of an "L" legitimation card)
• Members of the scientific personnel of CERN (holders of a "P" legitimation card)
• Family members of the categories mentioned above (holders of a legitimation card or a Ci permit)

Note: This exemption is limited to licenses for motor vehicle categories A (motorbikes) and B (motor cars and motor tricycles whose total weight does not exceed 3500 kg and whose seating capacity, in addition to the driver's seat, does not exceed eight persons). 

Countries with reciprocal agreements with Switzerland

Switzerland has recognition agreements with European countries and other states that exclude you from getting a driving test. Some countries include:

• Germany
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Cyprus
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Spain
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Great Britain
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Norway
• The Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Czech Republic
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Suede

Additionally, exchanging licenses from the following countries might only require a practical control drive (“Kontrollfahrt”), not a theory test

• Andorra
• Australia
• Canada
• Israel
• Japan
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• Saint-Martin
• Morocco
• Republic of Korea
• Taiwan
• Tunisia
• United States
• Singapore

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Documents needed to convert your international driving license in Switzerland

The documents required for exchanging foreign driver's licenses in Switzerland include; 

• Application form
• Valid foreign driving license
• Valid Passport/ID
• Swiss residence permit
• Eye test certificate
• Coloured passport photo with dimensions 35 X 45 mm 
• A certified translation of the original license if it’s not in one of Switzerland's official languages or English.
• Medical certificate for people who drive professionally or are over 75 years old
• If you are driving professionally, you might need a criminal records statement, depending on the canton.
• Confirmation of examination date from your home country driving licence authority. This is required if it's not included in your original licence.

Note: Different cantons in Switzerland might have unique requirements besides those listed above. Confirm from the cantonal Road Traffic Office (Strassenverkehrsamt) near you before proceeding. 

How can Transalyte help you drive in Switzerland?

If you are converting a driver’s license in Switzerland, you need to provide a translated version if it's not issued in the official languages recognised in the country. Translayte provides certified driver’s license translation to help you complete the exchange seamlessly. We offer;

• Certified translation services accepted by Swiss authorities 
• Access to authorised translators fluent in the required languages 
• Transparent and competitive translation rates from $25 per page
• Online ordering process with multilingual support
• Additional services like notarised translation, apostille stamps, plus delivery by post
• Fast delivery timeline from 12 to 24 hours, depending on the volume.

At Translayte, we ensure your driver's license exchange process is seamless with our reliable, high-quality certified translation services in Switzerland. 

Request a free quote to get accurate pricing. 

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Step-by-step process: How to get a Swiss driving licence for foreigners

The application steps for exchanging a license from a foreign country in Switzerland are straightforward if you meet the requirements. Here are the steps

Step one: Complete the application form

You can get and fill out the application form from the cantonal Road Traffic Office near you. The form is mostly available online for download and contains relevant information. 

Step two: Submit the application

When you complete the form, you should submit your application and the required documents. These often include a valid license, a translated version if it's not in the official Swiss national language or English, and other information. You can submit the application in person or by post, depending on your canton. For example, if you reside in Solothurn, you can submit by post. However, you must submit the application form in person if you are in Bern.

Step three: Take a driving test or a control ride 

If your license was issued in a country outside the EU/ EEA or doesn’t have a recognition agreement with Switzerland, you will need a driving test. This depends on the canton and its requirements. The driving test may include a theory test and/or a control ride, which might be practical. Ensure you prepare by studying Swiss driving rules and getting a qualified driving instructor, as failing the test means you start all over.

Step four: Pay the required fees

The Switzerland driving license cost often ranges from CHF 80–150 for standard licences; heavier categories may cost CHF 150–200. However, it varies between cantons. Other certificates, such as eye tests, certified translations, medical exams, and Kontrollfahrt, may incur extra charges.

Step five: Receive your Swiss driving license

Once your paperwork (and any tests) are approved, your Switzerland driver's license is processed. Depending on the canton, it usually takes 1-3 weeks to receive it by post. Also, you should keep your submission receipt as temporary proof in case the police stop you. When your Swiss driver’s license is issued, the foreign one is destroyed or returned to your local driver's licensing authority. 

Do you need a driving test in Switzerland?

Whether you have to take a driving test depends on where your license was issued. Here’s what you should know

• EU/EFTA licenses: No test is required
• Agreement countries (e.g., USA, Canada, Japan, Australia) require a control drive (“Kontrollfahrt”), which may be needed, but there is no theory test.
• Exception countries may require a theory test only if holding professional categories (C/D/B for passenger transport)
• All other countries must take both the theory and practical tests.

You typically have one attempt at the control drive; failure means retaking full tests.

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Deadlines & validity for converting a licence in Switzerland

Switzerland has some deadlines and validity requirements for foreign driver’s licenses. Here’s what you should know;

• 12-month driving period: After obtaining residence in Switzerland, you may drive with your foreign licence for up to 12 months. However, you must exchange it within this time if you drive often, or risk fines and other issues.
   
• Exchange application requirements: You can apply for a licence exchange after the one-year grace period. However, this only applies if the foreign license is still valid in your home country. If the licence is invalid, you must go through the standard process of applying for a Swiss driving license.
   
• 5 years eligibility period: After moving to Switzerland, you can still apply to exchange your license for a Swiss one within a 5-year window. However, you aren’t allowed to drive within that period. Beyond the 5-year window, you must prove ongoing driving experience (e.g., rental receipts, travel) or pass a Kontrollfahrt (control driving test).

• 3-year validity: After submitting your foreign driving licence exchange application, you might receive a Swiss licence on a 3-year trial basis or without an expiry date.

Where to apply for a Swiss driving license exchange

You can exchange a foreign driving license for a Swiss one at the local traffic office in the canton where you reside. Each canton might have unique requirements for submitting applications or documents you need. You can usually book an appointment through their online portal or in person if they don’t have an online booking portal. 

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Tips to avoid mistakes when converting a foreign driving license in Switzerland

• Start your application early, ideally within the first few weeks of arriving in Switzerland.
• Get the eye test from a certified optician early; the results must be recorded on your application.
• If your licence isn’t in German, French, Italian, or English, you’ll need an official translation (e.g., via a public notary or qualified translator/ translation company). Some cantons may accept English; however, check with the local Road Traffic Office.
• Confirm test language options in your canton for theory and practical tests. The language formats can vary, so it’s best to be prepared. 
• Check canton-specific documentation and fees before you apply to avoid missing specific medical certificate requirements.

Pro Tip: If anything is unclear, such as fee amounts, form translations, the need for tests, or processing timelines, contact your Canton’s Strassenverkehrsamt. You'll get more detailed information for your situation.

Get certified translation services for your foreign driver’s licence and other supporting documents. 

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