The rules are the same with a couple of minor differences like that in the States you can make a right even if the light is red, which you cannot here. However taking a refresher if you don't feel confident enough is a good idea. You are looking at 60-80 Fr/hour depending on the instructor and type of car. If you never drove stick make sure you specify you need an automatic.

Thank you, do you know any english speaking instructors?

Unfortunately not but as this has been discussed before on here, if you search the forums you should be able to find the information. Alternatively you could ask a friend or friendly fellow glocals member to drive with you and get away with a cold drink ;)

I dont know of any, but first I believe you can take your USA drivers licence to the Bureau des Automobile with proof your living in Switzerland and you get a Swiss licence.

For drivers leasons, I only know about TCS, where they have like 30ish training centers. Maybe there are English instructors and courses? Not sure, but contact them and maybe they will consider 'capitalizing' on the untapped International/English speaking community? Maybe Buyclub/Glocals can make some arrangements with TCS to have some partnership?

http://www.tcs.ch/fr/cours/?navid=338868597257

Good luck and I will also follow this thread/blog so I can also be more informed of the options.

Dave

Hi britanney,

Your in Lausanne, so I really suggest you ask Julian T.

He is really well informed for these things in the Vaud / Valais region.

http://www.glocals.com/members/member_profile/4806

When I first got here I was given this little book that had all the rules of the road. The part that I found the most useful was the chapter on what all the signs meant. As far as the roads being tight. Well that's just a matter of practice. If I were you I would just go for drives over in your area and up into the hills a little bit. There are awesome back roads between Biere, Burtigny, Rolle and Morges.  If the road is too tight for two cars, then just look for a spot to pull off safely and let the other car pass.

I have found that, for me, the key to driving in Switzerland just being polite and courteous. Always yield to pedestrians. Watch out for cyclist and scooters. Let people pass. Don't block intersections if you can help it. Try not to speed.  Signal in the rotundas/circles. And be cognizant of the arrows/directives on the road.

My friend Magali is actively engaged in obtaining her Swiss DL. So I take her out practicing twice a week. She's methodical in her program and she loves to drive in the country on those teeny roads. I am not a professional instructor so I do it for free, but we do review the book.  Sometimes we stop for coffee and admire the view. Because Switzerland is beautiful.  You're welcome to join us and do a little driving if you like. If you're a good driver in the USA then reason tells us that you'll be a good driver here too.  Happy drivng ala Suisse!

The photo is from yesterday from Le Mont Pelerin overlooking Vevey.