Getting a swiss drivers license as a foreigner expatica. Tourists are allowed to drive in the netherlands on a valid state. To go get one stiffs you twentyfive bucks for no reason and lines aaas pocket. Cars with a trailer may not exceed 80 kmh on any road. Tourists may also use their valid american drivers license if accompanied by an official translation in italian. You can drive in switzerland using a foreign driver s license for one year, after which certain nationalities will need to get a swiss driver s license. Driving privilege reciprocity allows a person to use a valid, unexpired foreign license to operate a motor vehicle in texas for up to one year or until a person becomes a texas resident, whichever date is sooner. We hope that we have provided you with all of the information needed about the license to help you make the right decision. You cannot obtain an international driving permit at the embassy. Whether your moving to switzerland or just visiting, the good news is that switzerland recognizes foreign driver s licenses and allows most people to drive for up to one year using their. People from abroad may drive in switzerland for private purposes for up to a year as long as they are old enough to drive in switzerland e.
Do i need to get an international drivers permit if i have a us drivers license to drive in switzerland. Can i apply and get an american driving license while i am in the usa. The permit is only valid in combination with your actual drivers license. Your north american drivers license is all that is needed, but youll need an international drivers license if you drive into. Do i need to get an international driver s permit if i have a us driver s license to drive in switzerland. My drivers license expired last autumn september 20. You can exchange your drivers licence to a swiss one without taking any tests if. The idp allows motorists to drive vehicles in foreign countries. Before you drive in switzerland, read the rules for driving licences, importing vehicles, car registration, parking and road regulations in switzerland. I hadnt used the licensedriven anywhere in several years at the time that it expired, but now im thinking of using it again for short tripsrentals. Belgium drivers license guideline or requirments free.
Embassy in the netherlands will not be involved in any way when you exchange your u. Us drivers license and automatic rental cars switzerland forum. For more information, read our article international driver s permit scams, which covers the basics of the underground world of illegal idp sales. Travelers interested in international drivers permits should be aware of potential scams and outlets selling them for inflated prices. A driver s license is an official document, often plastic and the size of a credit card, permitting a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles, such as a motorcycle, car, truck, or bus on a public road. It did not state that i was a licensed driver when i got the speeding ticket in 2002. I am getting married here soon, and am beginning the process for a b visa, but i am planing a road trip next weekend and plan to drive. If i have my license now and im 17, but the driving age is 18 in switzerland, can i drive there since ill still be a us citizen. Since its founding in 1932, the american automobile touring alliance aata has been assisting and advocating for travelers wishing to drive private passenger automobiles, motorcycles and other motor vehicles while traveling abroad whether on vacation, visiting family and friends or for business purposes. My family is moving to switzerland for my dads job. Anyone who is 18 years of age with a valid driver s license is eligible for the international license.
It should be presented when you are renting a car and can help bridge the. Driving in switzerland is not much different from driving in any other european country. You can drive in switzerland using a foreign drivers license for one year, after which certain nationalities will need to get a swiss drivers license. If you are a resident of switzerland you need the vehicle registration and exhaust inspection documents, a warning triangle and motorway sticker. Driver s license any adult whos at least 18 years old and holding a valid national driver s license can drive in switzerland, as long as the permitted vehicle categories are listed in the roman alphabet on the foreign license. You can find out here where you can do this, what you need in order to get your new license and how much the exchange will cost. Switzerland drivers license guideline or requirments free. You can exchange your driver s licence to a swiss one without taking any tests if.
What are the different categories of driving licence in switzerland for cars, motorcycles and other vehicles. A french, german, italian or english translation should suffice, but it must be issued by an official service for example, the national authority in charge of issuing national driving licences, a public notary or a professional. List of countries that have agreed to accept the 1949 united nations convention on road traffic covering acceptance of the international driving permit. Everything you need to know about driving licences. How to renew a us drivers license when living abroad. An international driving permit is a translation of your national driving license. I ordered my drivers license history which was no help. What are the emergency and other useful phone numbers. List of all categories with indication to the minimum age and education at driving schools. Can i drive with an american drivers license in switzerland. Identification documents, licences and register extracts. I had my us driver s license dc for less than 3 years i did have other licenses from other countries, but i learned with my permit application that sometimes less is more, so i only sent in the us license. Europe is an international drivers license required in switzerland.
Heres a guide to getting around in switzerland everything you need to know. Us drivers license and automatic rental cars switzerland. If a car does not have winter tires and is driven on ice or snow the driver can be fined or even have his license confiscated. The fact that and idp is not required in switzerland means it is not required, will not be required, and there will be no penalty for not having one. Driving licence, passport, id card our website tells you which offi cial identifi cation documents, licences and register extracts are in use in switzerland, when you.
Drivers licenseany adult whos at least 18 years old and holding a valid national drivers license can drive in switzerland, as long as the permitted vehicle categories are listed in the roman alphabet on the foreign license. The term international driving permit was first mentioned in the document prescribed in the international convention. I could wait until im back in the states again to renew, but i dont have plans to go back in the near future. Do swiss travelling in the eu or in other parts of the world need an international driving licence. A priority issue for american citizens resident in germany is the reciprocal recognition of drivers licenses from the two countries. If you enter switzerland in your own car, driver s licence and car registration document are mandatory, as well as personal liability insurance. Apr 18, 2019 then you may have asked yourself whether your american drivers license is valid in germany. Driving in switzerland traffic regulations and other.
This must be exchanged for a swiss driving licence within one year. Foreigners on shortterm visit may rent a car and drive with a valid foreign drivers license for up to 6 months in belgium. Yes, if you keep residing in the usa and are just visiting. If i have my license now and im 17, but the driving age is 18 in switzerland, can i drive there since ill still be a us citizen or will i have to wait another year to drive. While germany does not require foreign citizens to acquire international drivers permits, the neighboring country of austria and many other european countries do. May 19, 2008 i ordered my drivers license history which was no help. Drivers licenses from noneu countries except switzerland are accepted if you have a visa in your passport and at the time of hire have not been in europe for longer than 6 months. If you plan on driving in switzerland, youll find switzerlands geographic diversity requires adapting to a range of environments, from motorways to small mountain roads and some. Having an international driver s license switzerland provides travelers with a peace of mind that isnt found without this document in place. A drivers license is an official document, often plastic and the size of a credit card, permitting a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles, such as a motorcycle, car, truck, or bus on a public road.
If the permit expires while abroad, you may apply for a new one by mail through the american automobile association aaa, worldwide travel dept. The swiss identity card in its current form dates back to july 1994. The switzerland id card will be given exclusively to swiss citizens, but foreigners living in switzerland will receive the certificate for foreigners instead. Geographical areas which honor interamerican driving permits convention on regulation of interamerican motor vehicle traffic, organization of american states, washington, d. More information about the international driver s license in switzerland. Driving licence, passport, id card our website tells you which offi cial identifi cation documents, licences and register extracts are in use in switzerland, when you need them and how you can obtain them. Also, is it easy to rent an automatic car or is there a high probability that we. For the first year, anyone can drive a car in switzerland using their foreign driving license if they are 18 years old. Also, get information on renting a car and what other documents you may need while driving in the u.
Feb 26, 2019 foreigners coming to switzerland can use their national driving licence from home for the first 12 months of their stay, but must exchange their national driver s licence for a swiss one before. Swiss licenses are only issued on the basis of valid u. An american driver license will not confuse anybody in switzerland. If youre planning a trip to europe for leisure or business and plan on driving while youre there, youll need to acquire an international drivers permit sometimes erroneously called an international driving. Driving in germany and international driving permits. Driving in switzerland on a foreign licence article 42 of the ordinance on the licensing of persons and vehicles for road traffic purposes sr 741. Because its hardly ever necessary, and wed rather not be burdened with a car and the hassles of parking it when were enjoying swiss cities, villages, and countryside. Hi all, i have searched the threads and have viewed some posts on conversion of a us drivers license to a swiss one. For car, motorcycle, scooter, mofa, truck and trailer. While germany does not require foreign citizens to acquire international driver s permits, the neighboring country of austria and many other european countries do. Also, is it easy to rent an automatic car or is there a high probability that we will get a stick shift rental car even if we specified automatic. Us drivers license conversion to swiss english forum switzerland. Us driver s license conversion to swiss one additional point about my experience. For more information, read our article international drivers permit scams, which covers the basics of the underground world of illegal idp sales.
International drivers permit countries aaa midatlantic. When you intend on driving to france, check the latest news about carrying a breathalyzer. So, i called the ohio bmv and explained that i needed solid proof that i was a licensed driver longer than three years. Following a few answers to questions you might have about driving in switzerland. The switzerland id card may be used as a travel document within most of europe and several other countries. Tips for driving and parking in switzerland expatica. My husband is going to zurich on a business trip this sunday and will be renting a car. The process of establishing reciprocity continues to be slow, since many informal agreements require individual tailoring to meet the requirements of each u. You are permitted to drive in switzerland on your old driving. Kelly is a business travel writer, member of the american society of travel writers, and author of two childrens book series. Whether your moving to switzerland or just visiting, the good news is that switzerland recognizes foreign drivers licenses and allows most people to drive for up to one year using their. Applying for an international drivers permit for your trip to switzerland is simple. Your north american driver s license is all that is needed, but youll need an international driver s license if you drive into. The exchange has been requested before five years of residency in switzerland.
Applying for an international drivers permit in switzerland. You are only temporarily able to drive in switzerland on your old driving licence. Travelers interested in international driver s permits should be aware of potential scams and outlets selling them for inflated prices. The fact that and idp is not required in switzerland means it is not required, will not be. We cant list the complete swiss traffic regulations here.
Switzerland id card buy real passport online, id card. The license was issued in pennsylvania, and the dmv website has this to say. Us drivers license conversion to swiss english forum. To get an international driving permit in switzerland, visit switzerland tcs or switzerland acs. Jul 24, 2010 can i drive with an american driver s license in switzerland. Persons found driving in japan without a legal license are subject to fines, arrest and possible deportation.
An international driving permit idp, often incorrectly referred to as an international driving licence idl, is translation of a domestic driver license that allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in any country or jurisdiction that recognises the document. Before leaving home, you can apply for an idp from the american automobile. International drivers license international automobile association inc. United states license and registration of international automobile association inc. Driving in switzerland traffic regulations and other must knows. The swiss driver license is roughly the same layout. Anyone who is 18 years of age with a valid drivers license is eligible for the international license. A smooth transition updated 10 years ago swiss efficiency never ceases to amaze me, and the ease with which i was able to exchange my u. International driving permit idp interamerican driving permit iadp i certify that the above information is true and correct, and that the license indicated has not been suspended nor revoked.
The price difference for gasoline between north america and switzerland is not as. An international driving permit must be carried along with your us drivers license. All licenses issued in the european union are accepted. Here is a detailed explanation pertaining to driving license and age requirements for getting a rental car in the switzerland. Foreigners coming to switzerland can use their national driving licence from home for the first 12 months of their stay, but must exchange their national drivers licence for. Although you cant legally drive on an expired license, the state doesnt currently have any firm restrictions on how long you have to renew an expired license without facing additional consequences, so long as your license has not been suspended or. Is an international drivers license required in switzerland. Europe is an international driver s license required in switzerland. Geographical areas which honor inter american driving permits convention on regulation of inter american motor vehicle traffic, organization of american states, washington, d. Driving a car in switzerland before you visit switzerland, visit tripadvisor for the latest info and advice, written for travelers by travelers.
484 257 7 1069 1232 929 299 219 847 1167 802 315 997 207 464 1032 1602 579 70 1307 1335 973 248 175 833 858 203 1177 698 80 216 1220 162 606