But if in doubt and to get peace of mind just get the paper translation part a.k.a. international drivers licence.
It is only valid when shown with your actual Swiss license.
It costs just CHF 15, is valid for 3 years. Processing time is 3 days when done by post or instantaneous if requested at the counter. You will need a passport photo.
I've rented a few cars in Spain (and the UK) using my Swiss license without any problem. I did however notice the same restriction on a booking for a car I hired in Venice last week but they accepted the license without any issue.
Might depend on the company, perhaps a local company may not but we rented in Mallorca without issue with a Suisse DL - in fact, I've used it around the world and never had anyone even hesitate to rent to us
Since the Swiss license cards follow the EU format and the EU categories 100% do I think that 99% of rental car employees won't even recognize it or think about CH not being EU.
Yes, we've rented cars in Spain (Islands) with a Swiss license. We booked online and picked it up at the airport.
It was never a problem when we showed the rental people our license, and the first time the rental company offered us an upgrade to a Jeep We decided to just stick with the compact though.
However, if you want to be extra safe (police wise) then get the international document.
I would rather say rental wise. If they simply refuse to give you a car w/o the needed papers and simply stick what is said in the rental agreement you are either stuck or face high cost and troubles as you have to find another rental company willing to give you a car.
Spain is in the EU, there is no possible question to answer here. All EU / EEA licenses are accepted. Min age to drive a car is 18, 20 for a motorbike requiring an A license. The license must be full & not provisional.
There are MANY countries where a Swiss driving license work perfectly fine DESPITE what the car clubs (who will sell you the international driving license.. ) tell.
A few examples:
No problem hiring a car in the UAE, Malaysia, Australia with a regular Swiss driving license at several major and local car rental agencies. According to the website of the "serious businessmen" selling you the international driving licence, you can't drive a car in either of those 3 countries with a Swiss licence..
Why go through TCS when you can get it for a small fee from the StVA/SAN
Also hiring the car is in most of the cases the least problem. They mostly and surprisingly do not care what the actual regulations is. The joy begins if you are unfortunately involved in an accident, god forbid at fault, and the police plays by the book. I know more joyful countries than the UAE to be caught with the wrong/missing papers.
To have a link ton an official source which would support your statement? Or do you mean by provisional a learners permit? Which is not quite the same/
Wow, I feel stupid now. Didn't know StVA is producing them too (and the fee is pretty small with 15 CHF for 3 years validity)
Thanks!
(However, the Swiss driving licence is perfectly fine in the UAE. I've had an accident there - not my fault - and the police obviously checked my licence and didn't found anything wrong with it. In fact, much better experience than with the Italians.. )