I'll be moving to Switzerland from UK shortly and plan to take my car with me.
Will I have to move the driving wheel to the other side in order to get it registered?
I can't find anything about this anywhere.
Thanks & regards, Klimek
Hi All,
Nope
Just make sure you have your headlights changed and er... get insurance and... change your driving license.. and change the number plates and... get used to driving on the wrong side of the road
Absolutely not. Search this forum for other problems you may encounter though. Many people have brought cars in from the UK, and the process is well documented within the forum threads.
Just the headlights. Rear fog and reverse lights being on the 'wrong' side and MPH speedometers are fine. Then it'll have to go through inspection just like any other import.
Can you imagine the cost of doing that?! It just wouldn't be worth it. Incidentally though I heard that in Australia it's not normally allowed to have LHD cars in the country and such (like US imports) have conversions. Must have a hefty price tag.
Is there any possibility, this can be done?
It's certainly possible. Just expensive I guess. Of course for some cars, they're available in both RHD and LHD countries, so parts for such cars would be available. A quick search in Google brings up a few results like this company in Western Australia: http://www.chevroletconversions.com/ (according to their FAQ, it's $35k AUD!)
In Europe I doubt you could find such companies as there's no restrictions on which side the steering wheel is located.
Most manufacturers that produce 'World' cars , i.e. Toyota Corolla , Ford Mondeo and Landrovers , all have the easy ability to have the steering wheel converted from one side to the other at the factory when first manufactured. Easy, yes , to reduce manufacturing costs and simply exports. But hellishly expensive when done retrospectively and not at the factory as the whole dash , and bucket loads of ancilliaries have to be replaced and re-wired. Selling in the country of origin, and purchasing at again where you land is far more economical.
Thanks a lot folks!
Changing the headlights seems reasonable
I read a lot about importing UK car to Switzerland.
Hopefully I’ll have no problems (Am I naïve? ). The car is 2 years old and in perfect condition.
Thanks again and regards!
Klimek
If that model was sold here then it'll fly through the check. Just consider that it won't have as much resale value as an LHD model if you decide to sell it whilst you're here. The other option is to send it back to the UK (or Ireland/Malta/Cyprus) if you did decide to sell it, but that might attract customs if you're selling it on. Maybe check with UK customs on that one.
If that model was sold here then it'll fly through the check. Just consider that it won't have as much resale value as an LHD model if you decide to sell it whilst you're here. The other option is to send it back to the UK (or Ireland/Malta/Cyprus) if you did decide to sell it, but that might attract customs if you're selling it on. Maybe check with UK customs on that one.
Another option is that as you're allowed to drive with UK plates for one year (and without headlight adjustments), just see how it goes and if you realise you don't need a car in Switzerland like everyone else. Just take it back before year is up.
Good thinking!
Thanks a lot rdiggle!
You're next problem is to get fully comprehensive cover from your UK insurance company for more than 3 months abroad and European breakdown cover, again for more than 3 months abroad. Search on this forum, there are 1 or 2 Swiss companies that insure UK registered cars. You can sort that out when you're here I guess.
When driving in most European countries like Switzerland, you should carry your car identification papers (i.e. in your case, the D5 'log book') and your driving licence; they don't have the '7-day-producer' like they do in the UK (in Switzerland they will just fine you!). I would also request the 'green card' from your insurance company; an internationally recognised insurance certificate. Although it's not a must in most of Europe: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/motoring...ance/dg_067624
Other things you should have include a first aid kit, warning triangle, maybe a yellow vest, GB sticker (or 'Euro' plates), and headlight beam deflectors.
Look at you UK car from behind, if it has a reversing light and fog lights on both sides fine, if it has one foglight and one rerversing light then you will need to get these changed over. You also need the engine bay steam clened before the test.
Also Import the car with your personal belongings, otherwise it could be major paperwork later.
Please respect the speed limits in Switzerland, fines are severe as some have found to their cost.
I've heard mixed stories; the MFK people saying that it should be done, but then changing their minds and saying it's okay. There is a UK-spec Ford Focus hatchback (RHD; MPH speedometer) parked on my street that has been imported (has regular Zürich plates) and the reverse light is still on the left/fog light on the right--it's the other way round for LHD cars I believe.