Foreign Driving Licences in Geneva, Switzerland

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Foreign Driving Licences in Geneva, Switzerland

The legal age for driving in Switzerland is 18.

Any foreigner with a valid international driving license may drive as long as they have third party insurance.

Driving in Switzerland with a valid foreign driving licence is permitted as long as certain regulations are respected. For example if the licence is in a language other than French, English, Italian, German it is recommended that it be accompanied by an international one, which is valid for a period of three years.

A foreigner staying in Switzerland for less than 12-months need not exchange their driving licence for a Swiss one.

However all foreigners staying in Switzerland for longer than 12-months need to apply to exchange their licence for a Swiss driving licence within the first year of their arrival in the country (except if they have an 18 month residency permit). EU nationals, US citizens and Japanese citizens may simply exchange their valid driving license for a Swiss one.

In some cases when the foreign driving licence may not be exchanged for a Swiss one, the person may be authorised to take a simplified practical test. If they fail the test then they will have to take the full theory and practical driving examinations. This may also apply to those persons that do not exchange their driving licence within the specified 12 months of their arrival in the country.

Exchanging a Driving License

The following information and web links apply to citizens living in French-speaking Switzerland.

The following documents are needed:

• Original driving licence
• Eye test certificate (less than 2 years old)
• Two colour passport photos
• Authorisation for residency or permanent establishment or proof of residence
• Foreign license exchange request form
  • To download the form: Click here (PDF in French only) 

Any person holding a compliant driving licence issued before December 2005 will receive their Swiss licence within two weeks of submitting the application. It is valid for life. 

Any person holding a compliant driving licence issued after December 2005 will be given a temporary driving licence valid for three years. During this period they must attend two one-day training courses at an authorised private test centre. Once the person has completed the additional driving courses they will receive their full driving licence.

If the foreign license being exchanged does not display its date of issue, then a driver record or letter of attestation may be required to prove when the license was issued. This is particularly applicable to holders of licenses from many US states which only show expiration date. (Insurers use this date to decide how experienced a driver is.)

Note: Diplomats and other VIP’s who benefit from judicial immunity are not required to exchange their driving licence. If it is in a language other than French, English, German or Italian, it is advisable to get an international driving licence to accompany the licence.

Driving Licence & Change of Address

Any change of address must be reported to the Road Traffic Office (Service des Automobiles et de la Navigation).

In the event of a change of address, the address of the driver in the vehicle registration document must be amended.

Drivers moving to another canton also need to apply for new licence plates. The cantonal Road Traffic Office of the new canton of residence is responsible for such amendments.

Driving Licence Loss or Theft

A lost or stolen driving licence can be replaced by submitting a declaration of loss form.

• To download the form: Click here (PDF in French only) 

This must be accompanied by an identity document and driving licence. If this is not the newer credit card sized Swiss driving licences, include a colour passport photo.

Swiss Driving Test

The Swiss driving test includes a written exam and a practical test. The theory book and road traffic book are available in English, some driving schools provide theory papers in other languages.

A person who fails their driving test more than three times will be referred to a psychologist who will determine if they are mentally fit to drive and whether they may have another attempt.

• For information on driving tests: Click here (in French)
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Getting a Driving Licence in Geneva, Switzerland

Contact Information

Canton of Geneva

• Service des Automobiles et de la Navigation (Road Traffic Office)
  At: 86, rue du Veyrier, 1227 Carouge
  Tel: +41 (0)22 388 30 30
  Open: Monday to Friday 07:30-16:00
  e-mail
  Website 

Canton of Vaud

• Service des Automobiles et de la Navigation (Road Traffic Office)
  At: Avenue du Grey 110-112, CH - 1014 Lausanne
  Tel: +41 21 316 82 10
  Fax: +41 21 316 82 11
  Website

Further Information

• Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in France
• Local Administrative Offices
• Translation of a Swiss Driving Licence (PDF)

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