Hi,
I have moved to another EU country(Ireland) and have applied to get my Swiss license exchanged for an Irish one. I have been told that the process could take between 6 and 10 weeks largely due to checks which the Swiss authorities have to do.
It is urgent that I get the license exchanged as soon as possible as my wife is pregnant and there are some complications which means I really need to be able to drive.
Does anyone have a similar experience moving back to another EU country and is there a way to encourage the Swiss authorities to speed up the checks?
Thank you in advance.
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TheIslandMan
Just drive with your Swiss license.
Tom
I didn't realise the process would take so long and it involved handing over my Swiss license when I applied. I checked with Car Insurance companies before I returned how much an insurance premium would cost with a Swiss license, they all said the cost exceeded the maximum amount that they are allowed to quote. When I asked what the maximum amount was they told me €6000.
Swiss Driving licenses are counted as a license from a "3rd" country because they are outside the EU and so can be treated differently.
1. You should have asked for documentation/copies to proof during a check that you indeed have a license.
2. Rent a car for some weeks. Or use a cab when you need a drive.
Also Switzerland is one of the few non EU recognised states for exchanging your license, I am amazed that you still would have to pay such ridiculous amounts.
Switzerland is part of the european driving license framework so there is no difference from other countries if you have a normal license.
Imho the most stupid thing here is the irish insurers, but if that is the system there then whatever. Can you have the car insured by someone else or borrow/rent one? Then you take back your license and keep it for a few more months.
Buy a car in Switzerland, and drive it there.
Tom
Thank you for all your replies.
I sent an email yesterday morning at 11 am to Strassenverkehrsamt ([email protected]) explaining the situation and how I really needed the license for the reasons outlined in my original post.
I am not sure whether it is a coincidence or not but about 3 hours later I received a message from the driving license authority here in Ireland to say that the license had been dispatched by post and will arrive in 3-5 working days.
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TheIslandMan