Converting Ontario G2 license to Swiss

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Hey guys,

I’m new to this forum, but I thought I’d reach out to this network for some advice on converting the Ontario G2 license to a Swiss license

My main question is whether this is possible, or does the Swiss system require it to be a full G license? My understanding is they only distinguish between whether you are a new learner, in which case you have to start from scratch, or a driver who has passed the driving test in his home country. According to this, my is understanding would be that the G2 could be converted?

Any advice or experience in this matter? The guys at the STVA didn’t understand the concept of G2 / Full G etc.,

2
I had to look up what it was, and I would expect that you would need to take a road test rather than just an exchange, as it's not a full license.

Tom

3
But you haven't passed the final test else you'd have G and therefor I believe your G2 is worthless here.

4
In addition, in order to convert straight across without additional testing, you need to have held the full G for a while before coming here. I think 6 months or more?

5
Does the G2 allow to be used abroad with an international permit? If yes, then maybe it's possible to exchange it.

@3Wishes

No, there's no requirement how long you must have hold the license. But you must have lived in that place (or outside Switzerland) for at least 6 months (or was it 185 days?). You could pass the exam on the last day abroad before moving to Switzerland and you'd be fine.

6
I didn't have it quite right. If you've held the foreign license for fewer than 12 months, you'll need proof of your driving history or you'll be granted a provisional license and need to pass a few tests before moving to a full Swiss license.

So yes, you could pass the exam on the last day abroad if you were resident there, but you'd only get a provisional license here unless you have another prior driving history.

ASitUS has an excellent thread with details on how to convert here:

https://www.englishforum.ch/transpor...s-mark-ii.html

7
How is an IDP of any relevance?

OP's problem is that a license always gets exchanged for the equal Swiss Equivalent, for G2 there is no equal Swiss equivalent.

8
Were they confused and then refused to convert? It is not clear if you have already asked them and they said no or if they asked for more information in regards to the difference between G/G2. At least there is no material difference. You have the full rights of the driver minus having alcohol in your system (G you can have alcohol under the legal limit) and your passengers must wear seatbelts (G your passengers are adults and they can die if they want to).

I had a G, so of course that works, but I also printed out my license history requested from Ministry of Transpo in French and English. That helps in having them put the original date you got a license in Canada and also with your driving history.

9
Because if a license allows use abroad with an IDP it's probably considered a full license and therefor exchangeable. Unlike e.g. a learner's permit.

10
You are all a bunch of lazy amateurs

The closest equivalent of an Ontario G2 is a B (provisional). Major distinction is that G2 holder must still pass the practical exam whereas a B (provisional) already passed the practical exam and only has to attend two mandatory courses. So a G2 is more like an A learners permit after basic motorcycle courses.

Normally to convert a license one must have acquired the relevant category before becoming a Swiss resident. Authorities can permit exemption upon request in case a driving training was started before becoming a Swiss resident but has not been finished.

So far so good. Now for best of the show: There is an agreement https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classifi...947/index.html between Switzerland and the Province Ontario regarding exchange of driving licenses. There it states that:

11
Nice. Also, G2 can be used abroad. But e.g. Germany only exchanges full G licenses without additional tests. So Switzerland is less strict in this regard. Good for OP!