Driving in Switzerland

Swiss law requires all individuals to be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license in your possession at all times in order to drive in Switzerland.

Mopeds and Scooters 

To be allowed to drive a “2 wheeled vehicle” please note that a specific Swiss driver’s license is required. Furthermore, the vehicle must be provided with a license plate. In addition, insurance is necessary, no matter the size of the motorcycle.

Bikes, Skates, and Rollers

Please be informed that it is highly recommended to purchase liability insurance for third parties (called RC insurance). This category of vehicles is subject to follow the Swiss Law concerning rules of the road.

Automobiles

Students over 18 years old holding a driving license and a Swiss Residency Permit Category B must convert a foreign driver's license to a Swiss license if they intend to drive an automobile in Switzerland. This includes owning or leasing a car, renting a car, or if you drive the car of a friend. Individuals have one year of time, from the date of arrival in Switzerland to convert a foreign driving license. Approximative cost CHF 170 (amount subject to change). For certain foreign licenses a driving exam to obtain the conversion into a Swiss license might be required, approximative cost CHF 100 - 150 (US and EU licenses are excluded from the driving exam).
Additional costs for medical visits or other exams are not included.
Important: a probationary driving license is issued to all born on or after 1 December 1987, considered "junior drivers" for a period of 3 years. "Junior drivers" can obtain the permanent driving license by participating to a mandatory 1-day drive class called 2 Fasi or Corso Wab. The Corso Wab must be completed within one year from obtaining the probationary Swiss license. Approximative cost of the Corso Wab CHF 340, additional costs for car renting excluded. 

Within the first year, you may find it beneficial to bring an international driving license that is the translation and explanation in other languages of your license.

You can obtain the conversion of your home country driving license, by following the process below:

1) Complete the Official application form; 2) Complete the required eye exam with an optician in Lugano, have the optician record the results of your exam on the application form; 3) Submit 2 passport-sized photos with a copy of your Swiss Residence B Permit; 4) Submit your driving license from your home country. For your convenience here is a Template for the Official Blue form.

As mentioned a driving exam may be required. Also, the conversion of a foreign driving license to a Swiss one is not automatic, and the conversion might be rejected due to the strict parameters of Swiss Law. Your original driving license may not be returned to you. If you have a EU license this will be returned to the EU country and re-conversion in the EU country will be necessary once you leave Switzerland at study conclusion. If you drive a vehicle with Swiss license plates, it must be insured according to the stipulations of Swiss law. Please note that Franklin University Switzerland will give license plate numbers to the Swiss authorities when requested.

Furthermore, if you intend to bring a foreign car into Switzerland, please note, it is not permissible to keep your car with foreign plates in Switzerland without the proper authorization. As a student, you can simply ask to validate your foreign license plate and keep it. Ask for “form 15.30” at the customs office at the Swiss Border. You will need to provide the following documents: 1) automobile and car documents, including insurance policy. 2) Swiss Residency Permit. 3) Proof of enrollment at Franklin in Italian (at the Registrar’s Office). 4) Written declaration/authorization from the owner of the car (when the car and insurance are not registered in your name).

Permission is generally granted to students for two years; you can apply for additional two years. Failure to complete this authorization is considered a penal sanction and may affect your legal status in Switzerland.

Obtaining a Swiss Driver's License

For students (you must be at least 18 years old to drive) who do not already have a driving license in their home country, the process to be authorized to drive in Switzerland costs approximately CHF1000-2000. It varies per person, depending on the level of preparation needed.

Once you have received a Swiss Residence Permit Category B, you will become a resident of Switzerland.

To obtain a Learning Swiss driving license: 1) Submit the application form; 2) complete an eye exam with a local optician and have the optician record the results on the official application form; 3) Submit 2 passport-sized color photos with a copy of your Swiss Residence Permit, 4) take 2-day course of the obligatory FIRST-AID course (rescuer called “soccorritori”); 5) buy the book and the CD; 6) when you are ready to be tested (in Italian), you can apply for the theoretical written test. After passing the written exam 7) take driving classes. You must attend driving classes in order to prepare for the driving test. The license you will obtain is a junior license lasting 3 years. Before the expiration of the 3rd year, a 1-day drive class called 2 Fasi or Corso Wab is required in order to receive a permanent Swiss driving license.

If you do not follow traffic regulations and the requested process,  your junior license will be revoked, and you will need to re-apply from the beginning. It is recommended that you obtain a driving license in your home country before arriving for your first time in Switzerland. Converting an existing license is much easier and less expensive (see Swiss Driver’s License Conversion). Once you are already a resident in Switzerland, if you decide to obtain a driver's license from your home country during a university break, the Swiss authorities will not recognize it as a Swiss substitute driver's license. You will be required to obtain a new license in Switzerland.

Not observing the full training requirements before your license expires will result in having to start again from the beginner stage by taking the written and practical exams. For more details in English please contact Corso 2 Fasi: Tel.  091 873 00 05 or info@corsi2fasi.ch.                                      

Upon successful completion of the final course (called 2 Fasi or Corso Wab) you will be eligible to receive your permanent Swiss Driving License. 

Please note: Driving in Switzerland while holding a Swiss Residence Permit (B) without converting your foreign driving license and completing the required driving training, will be considered a Swiss penal sanction and could affect your legal status in Switzerland.