Re: Swiss driving licence
Post 5
(1) You will need to go with your old license, an ID + your residence permit at a cantonal authority (The Geneve one is called "Service Cantonale des Vehicules" and it is in Carouge - Route de Veyrier 86 - 1227 Carouge).
(2) They will ask you to fill out a form. Double check but I think this is the form you need http://ge.ch/vehicules/sites/siteofficielocv/files/ocv/formulaires/permis-eleve-conducteur-et-echange-permis-conduire-etranger_0.pdf
(3) [If you do not have a US, EU or other "approved" license - check with the reception there] They will ask you to book a practical test and give you an interim "permit to drive" valid until the day of the test. I had an Indian drivers license which is in a rather tattered condition, so I had to take the practical test.
(4) The level of french you need for the test is pretty basic but (to be on the safer side) you can get an approved translator for an hour (not too expensive). They have a list at the reception. I barely spoke French when I took mine and did not use a translator but all I needed to know was "a droite", "tout droite" and "a gauche".
(5) The test itself was 20 mins and pretty straightforward, just drive around Carouge - turn here and there etc. Make sure you stop before a red light, be careful at a zebra, keep within the speed limit etc. usual things that responsible drivers do and you should be fine. Study the signages, although these are not very different from other countries. I suggest you drive around the area with a friend and note the speed limits beforehand.
I was a little presumptuous. I bought a car before taking the test which in retrospect was a risky strategy.
Good luck!