Your foreign driving licence is recognised in Switzerland, but only for 12 months after your arrival in the country. Once this period has passed, driving on a foreign licence is no longer permitted: you must exchange it for a Swiss licence.
Depending on the country that issued your licence, two situations apply. If your country has a recognition agreement with Switzerland (see the list of countries), the exchange takes place without a practical test. If not, a control drive is required before you can obtain your Swiss licence.
At NonStop Drive, we prepare you for this control drive with 2 refresher lessons of 50 minutes each, delivered in French, English or Italian depending on your preference.
Contact us →The essentials at a glance
It all depends on the country that issued your licence. Find your situation below.
If your licence was issued by one of the 45 countries below, you benefit from a recognition agreement with Switzerland. The exchange is carried out directly with the Geneva OCV, with no control drive required.
Countries recognised by Switzerland
If your country isn’t on the list opposite, you’ll need to sit a control drive before you can obtain your Swiss licence. Note: you only get one attempt. If you fail, you’ll need to go through the standard process for obtaining a Swiss driving licence.
At NonStop Drive, we prepare you for this test with 2 refresher lessons of 50 minutes each for CHF 160, delivered in French, English or Italian.
Book an appointment →The steps to follow and the documents to gather before heading to the Geneva OCV.
The steps to follow
Check if your country is recognised
Check the list of countries with a recognition agreement with Switzerland. This determines whether or not you need to sit a control drive.
Gather your documents
Collect all the documents listed opposite before you go. A missing document can delay your application.
Take your preparation lessons if required
If your country isn’t recognised, NonStop Drive offers 2 lessons of 50 minutes for CHF 160 to prepare you for the control drive, in French, English or Italian.
Submit your application at the OCV
Attend without an appointment at the counters of the Service des automobiles (Route de Veyrier 86, 1227 Carouge). Open Monday 9am to 4pm, Tuesday to Friday 7.30am to 4pm.
Receive your Swiss licence
Your credit-card-format Swiss licence is sent to you by post within 2 to 3 working days once your application has been approved.
Documents to bring to the OCV
Attend without an appointment, bringing all these documents.
OCV fee: CHF 150 (standard licence) / CHF 200 (categories C, C1, D). Postal delivery time: 2 to 3 working days.
Download the official form →Yes, for 12 months after your arrival in Switzerland. Once this period has passed, you’re no longer permitted to drive on a foreign licence and must exchange it for a Swiss one.
You only get one attempt. If you fail, you’ll need to go through the entire standard process for obtaining a Swiss licence: theory test, basic lessons and practical test. This is why good preparation is essential.
No. Your licence must still be valid at the time of your application to the OCV. If it has expired, you must first renew it with the authorities of your home country before starting the exchange process in Switzerland.
OCV fees are CHF 150 for a standard licence and CHF 200 for categories C, C1 and D. If a control drive is required, NonStop Drive offers 2 preparation lessons of 50 minutes for CHF 160 in total.
No. Exchanging a foreign licence doesn’t require resitting the theory test. Depending on your home country, you’ll do either a direct exchange or a practical control drive. Neither route requires the theory test.
Yes, as long as you’re within the 12-month period after your arrival and your foreign licence is still valid. Once that period has passed, you must wait until you’ve received your Swiss licence before driving again.
In principle yes: the categories on your foreign licence are carried over to your Swiss licence. However, categories C, C1 and D are subject to additional conditions and higher OCV fees (CHF 200). Check with the OCV for your situation.
Once your application has been submitted and approved by the OCV, you’ll receive your credit-card-format Swiss licence by post within 2 to 3 working days.
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