It may seem strange, but yes indeed, you may register a car under your name without having a driving license...

You need an address and insurance... 

For financing you will need your employment contract etc...

Thanks Charlie. I am not looking for any financing so that isn't a problem. Does that mean that I don't need a residency permit to actually buy a car and get license plates?

Thanks

You can buy a car sure... the garage can sort the plates out for you.. its a courtesy they often do esp if its a new car. Sometimes you have to do it yourself if its a used car or if youre buying from a private person.

For the plates you need a Swiss address, and a valid insurance for the car and  a driving license. (oh and some cash money to pay the bill)

get the plates from here once you buy the car : 

http://ge.ch/vehicules/

ps.. if its a used car...make sure the car has passed its technical inspection... you will need that to get plates as well.

Thanks for your help.

The bit that has me confused is that on the http://ge.ch/vehicules/ website it seems to say that foreigners need either a permit or a "d'établissement". I have applied for my permit but I don't know if that will be good enough. I am hesitant to go throught the whole process of negotiating to buy a car then finding out that I don't have the paperwork.

Cheers

Alex

You will need a valid residency permit, that's for sure.

In some rare cases you may register the car with a certificate from population office saying that it has been accepted and is in process. Already had the case with some customers. 

count approx 135.- for plates and registration fees, and taxes will come later on.

and you will also need a certificate of insurance for registration.

For info, in few days we are throwing a special car insurance offer for Glocals until end of september, but hush,  I didn't say anything

see my previous post for residence permit

Dear Aymeric, 

Thank you very much. I will try to get the letter of acceptance.

Kind regards,

Alex