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Your experience ? - Getting a Swiss Driving License
May 25, 2011 @ 13:55

Hi, everyone. 


It's kind of the recurring topic but I'd like to get "up-to-date" information especially from those who went through the process to get a driving license in Geneva. 


I decided to get a Swiss driving license & found out a number of things I have to do such as the First Aid course, theory test in French, awareness course and etc.


Does anybody know


1. Any schools or individuals offering the First Aid course in English? I contacted one organisation, which offers the course in English. However, it'll be in Sep or Oct..... it's too long to wait.


2. The best theory book (in English and French) to parepare for the exam?


3. Good driving schools where instructors speaks English?


My French is intermediate & I am not comfortable getting the First Aid course in French.  


Your advice and personal experience would be much appreciatedSmile


many thanks


Sarasa


 


 

The text you are quoting:

Hi, everyone. 


It's kind of the recurring topic but I'd like to get "up-to-date" information especially from those who went through the process to get a driving license in Geneva. 


I decided to get a Swiss driving license & found out a number of things I have to do such as the First Aid course, theory test in French, awareness course and etc.


Does anybody know


1. Any schools or individuals offering the First Aid course in English? I contacted one organisation, which offers the course in English. However, it'll be in Sep or Oct..... it's too long to wait.


2. The best theory book (in English and French) to parepare for the exam?


3. Good driving schools where instructors speaks English?


My French is intermediate & I am not comfortable getting the First Aid course in French.  


Your advice and personal experience would be much appreciatedSmile


many thanks


Sarasa


 


 


sarasaMay 25, 2011 @ 13:55
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Re: Your experience ? - Getting a Swiss Driving License
Post 1
May 25, 2011 @ 16:03

Sarasa:


As far as I know, if you have a driver's license from another country, and you've been living in CH under 1 year, then you can get a local license without any tests. At least this was the case for me, 10 years ago.


Hope someone can refer you to a definite source of info.


Nir

The text you are quoting:

Sarasa:


As far as I know, if you have a driver's license from another country, and you've been living in CH under 1 year, then you can get a local license without any tests. At least this was the case for me, 10 years ago.


Hope someone can refer you to a definite source of info.


Nir


Nir Ofek, May 25, 2011 @ 16:03
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Re: Your experience ? - Getting a Swiss Driving License
Post 2
May 25, 2011 @ 16:24

Sarasa:

As far as I know, if you have a driver's license from another country, and you've been living in CH under 1 year, then you can get a local license without any tests. At least this was the case for me, 10 years ago.

Hope someone can refer you to a definite source of info.

Nir


May 25, 11 16:03

That depends which country you're from. If you're from the EU and US (and I suspect Israel) you can just exchange your existing license for a Swiss one.


But if you're from other countries you have to do the test. My Russian wife would tell you how unfair this is.

The text you are quoting:

That depends which country you're from. If you're from the EU and US (and I suspect Israel) you can just exchange your existing license for a Swiss one.


But if you're from other countries you have to do the test. My Russian wife would tell you how unfair this is.


Edward B, May 25, 2011 @ 16:24
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Re: Your experience ? - Getting a Swiss Driving License
Post 3
May 26, 2011 @ 12:12

Thank you very much everyone.


Although I am not from the EU  I could've switched my existing driving license to Swiss one. The main reason why I decided to take a Swiss driving license is because my existing one was expired. Thinking about all the hassles I have to go through to renew it, it is much more convenient for me to get a new one here. I have never driven a left hand drive car so it's good to go to driving school here, anyway.


Breshna, you "saved" me!!! Thanks a lot for your very useful info.

The text you are quoting:

Thank you very much everyone.


Although I am not from the EU  I could've switched my existing driving license to Swiss one. The main reason why I decided to take a Swiss driving license is because my existing one was expired. Thinking about all the hassles I have to go through to renew it, it is much more convenient for me to get a new one here. I have never driven a left hand drive car so it's good to go to driving school here, anyway.


Breshna, you "saved" me!!! Thanks a lot for your very useful info.


sarasa, May 26, 2011 @ 12:12
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Re: Your experience ? - Getting a Swiss Driving License
Post 4
May 26, 2011 @ 13:05

I just got a car registered and I can tell you that I found the whole experience easy and straightforward.


See the rules from: http://www.geneve.ch/san/permis-de-conduire-et-permis-d-eleve/welcome.asp?rubrique=echange-d-un-permis-de-conduire-etranger&titre=Echange_d__un_permis_de_conduire_etranger



Exchanging a foreign driving license:



OperationDocuments to be presented




 


A complete
within 12 months
upon taking up residence in Switzerland


Form of exchange of a foreign driver's license (PDF-317Ko)
Original foreign license to exchange
Certificate of registered optician (not older than 24 months)
1 photo color , passport size, full face, bareheaded
ID:
- Switzerland: identity card or passport
- Foreign: alien's

NB The driver must present personally at the counters of department license.







So, you have to get an eye exam, but beyond that, the process is painless as you give your existing licence and follow the instructions from the website.


If you do NOT have a driver's license from any country, well, good luck Wink


Todd

The text you are quoting:

I just got a car registered and I can tell you that I found the whole experience easy and straightforward.


See the rules from: http://www.geneve.ch/san/permis-de-conduire-et-permis-d-eleve/welcome.asp?rubrique=echange-d-un-permis-de-conduire-etranger&titre=Echange_d__un_permis_de_conduire_etranger



Exchanging a foreign driving license:



OperationDocuments to be presented




 


A complete
within 12 months
upon taking up residence in Switzerland


Form of exchange of a foreign driver's license (PDF-317Ko)
Original foreign license to exchange
Certificate of registered optician (not older than 24 months)
1 photo color , passport size, full face, bareheaded
ID:
- Switzerland: identity card or passport
- Foreign: alien's

NB The driver must present personally at the counters of department license.







So, you have to get an eye exam, but beyond that, the process is painless as you give your existing licence and follow the instructions from the website.


If you do NOT have a driver's license from any country, well, good luck Wink


Todd


Todd H, May 26, 2011 @ 13:05
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