can a non-resident convert his American license to a Swiss one?

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
the official wording is somewhat ambiguous (surprisingly) it uses a lot of definitives such as "must":

"The following drivers must hold a Swiss driving licence:

foreign drivers of motorised vehicles who have lived in Switzerland for more than 12 months and without interruption of more than three consecutive months"

I guess I'm wondering who CAN or COULD (not must) hold a Swiss driving license. I think it looks rather cool (red and holographic)

it's a bit of a niche situation, so nothing came up when I searched.

2

People who have a Swiss residence permit, plain and simple really.

What you quoted means that foreigners who move to live/work here have up to a year to change their licence over - usually without needing to take a Swiss driving test, but that depends on which country they’re from; some will still need to take the test to change their licence over.

Tourists can be here for up to 3 months, but if they want to stay longer than that then they need to register as being a resident of Switzerland.

So no, a non-resident can’t change their licence for a Swiss one.

3
Unless you are a resident your licence will not be converted.

4
What if you are on holiday here? Can you take the test and get a licence as a non-resident?

5
No. A copy of a valid residence permit is required together with the conversion request form.

6
but i don't mean converting a licence, but getting a new licence e.g. if you don't have an existing driving licence.

7
On an additional note: if, for whatever reason, you need/want second drivers license, you can always get one as a tourist in New Zealand (it takes 20 minutes) . Then you don't have to show your passport when you go to liquor stores.

8
Ah sorry, yes you wrote "take the test". I don't see any obvious obstacles in the form, however the process is likely to take a while if you start from scratch with swiss rules (first aid certificate and so on).

I would also expect that your application is rejected if you are not resident, but I could not find proof of this feeling.

9
Getting. a license and having a valid license are two different things.

10

No, you need Swiss residence, an exception may apply to professional drivers.
See the Verkehrsregelverordnung .
For foreigners, Wohnsitz will refer to a permit C, Aufenthalt to permit B.

11
So it seems possible to get a license in Switzerland as there is an allowance if you want to drive professionally in Switzerland.

12
That will probably relate to a permit for the professional transport of persons. Probably.

But even if not, how many are professional drivers? The general answer is still No.

13
My default destination for the winter months (November - March) is South Africa. In case you haven't figured out from my forum name

Cape Town (and its suburbs) is the most beautiful city on earth, and I've visited over 45 countries now for holiday purposes (lived long-term in 15).

No other has the topographical, cultural, luxury, and wildlife variation. From Ferrari dealerships to penguins to blue flag beaches to giraffes within 2 hours.

I recommend stopping by for a few weeks/months.

Source? Thanks.

14

"You can exchange your foreign driver’s license for a Swiss driver’s license at your cantonal road traffic office. The process can take a few weeks so it’s a good idea to start things well in advance of the deadline.

You will need to provide the following:

Application form
Original foreign driver’s license (with translation, if applicable)
Eye test certificate from a registered optician
Two passport-sized photos (in color, not black and white)
Proof of residency and/or visa
Valid ID
The fee for exchanging your license varies depending on the canton, but is usually between around CHF 30-60."

https://www.expatica.com/ch/living/t…erland-102892/

And translation from the form in my canton:

“Residence permit: An initial verification of identity and passport photo is made by the OCN. A copy of the valid residence permit must be attached to the application. In case of physical presence at the OCN, the original residence permit must be presented.”

https://www.ocn.ch/sites/default/fil…r_20220517.pdf

15

The amount you have done, you must be 200 years old by now.

16
Not sure how this is relevant, but

Vancouver? Geneva? Montreal?

17
*bumping my original thread*

there seems to be some disagreement on whether a conversion is possible

(it seems most likely not).

but can a non-resident get a NEW Swiss driver's license?

assuming he will go through the driving tests all over again.

18
No, there isn't.

19
So which part of 'proof of residence' do you not understand?

20

Permit C is Niederlassung not Wohnsitz, and and Aufenthalt does not mean permit B.

Wohnsitz is “domicile”. However the definition of “Wohnsitz” depends on the law it applies to. Each law has its own definition what Wohnsitz means (often the refer to Art. 23 ff Civil Code), and often it is not related to the permit situation:

Domicile is usually established by registering ones residency at the commune. A residency confirmation from the commune is prima facie evidence that a domicile in said commune exists.

Now, according the Art. 42 VZV one has to exchange a foreign license into a Swis one when ones resides (Wohnen) for more than 12 month in Switzerland and have not been outside of Switzerland for at least 3 consecutive month during this period:

ASA Directive 1 further elaborates on the difference of Wohnsitz, Wohnen, and Aufenthalt. Regarding Wohnsitz it refers to Art. 23 ff Civil Code and further establishes:

Now Art. 5k VZV says:
To be eligible for a Swiss driving license, either of the three conditions have to be met. As we can see Wohnsitz is only one of the three, Aufenthalt is also one.

Has a tourists Aufenthalt in Switzerland? Yes. Can they get a Swiss driving license? Most likely not, as it would be against ordre public, as the only conceivable reason would ne circumventing foreign jurisdiction.

Nevertheless, one is free to try it and sue in court. Then we have once for all a definitive answer. Please report back.