Exchanging your foreign driving licence in Switzerland

Your foreign licence stays valid for 12 months after you arrive. After that, you must have exchanged it for a Swiss licence — otherwise you’re driving without a valid licence.

Where and how

You apply to your canton’s road traffic office (SAN/OCN). Budget around CHF 150 in fees, and sometimes an eye test.

Watch out, depending on your country

Depending on your country of origin, an official translation of your licence may be required, and for certain non-EU/EFTA countries a practical driving test may be requested — especially if you go past the 12 months.

The tip: don’t drag your feet. Exchanging on time is a simple formality; missing the deadline turns an administrative step into an exam.

Generate your personalised checklist → with your real deadlines calculated from your arrival date.