Foreign driving licence

Exchange your driving licence in Switzerland

If you live in Switzerland and want to keep driving, you must exchange your foreign licence within 12 months. Non-EU/EFTA countries require a control drive – we prepare you locally on the actual exam route.

Pick your town Process in 4 steps
DriveLab supports you with the Swiss driving licence exchange

At a glance

  • Deadline 12 months from establishing residency
  • EU / EFTA No control drive eye test + application is enough
  • Non-EU / EFTA Control drive approx. 45 min practical
  • Road traffic office fee CHF 60–150 varies by canton

Pick your main town

Eight central locations with a dedicated DriveLab team. Need somewhere else? Just use the search below.

City + Limmattal

Zurich

Canton Zurich

Open page → Cantonal capital

Zug

Canton Zug

Open page → City + agglomeration

Lucerne

Canton Lucerne

Open page → Capital

Bern

Canton Bern

Open page → Linth region

Rapperswil

Canton St. Gallen

Open page → Central Switzerland

Küssnacht am Rigi

Canton Schwyz

Open page → Cantonal capital

Glarus

Canton Glarus

Open page →

Find another town

Type your town – we show you the local DriveLab instructor.

    Four steps to the Swiss driving licence

    1. 1

      Application at the road traffic office

      Submit the form "Application for exchange of a foreign driving licence" at the cantonal road traffic office of your residence.

    2. 2

      Eye test + photo + documents

      Eye test at a certified optician (valid for 24 months). Recent passport-style photo, copy of your foreign licence, ID/residence permit.

    3. 3

      Control drive (non-EU/EFTA only)

      Practical test with a cantonal examiner, approx. 45 minutes. A prep lesson on the actual exam route significantly increases your pass rate.

    4. 4

      Handover & Swiss licence

      After passing (or if exempt) you hand over your foreign licence and receive the Swiss credit-card licence within 2–6 weeks.

    The control drive – what you need to know

    A simplified practical test. A cantonal examiner assesses for approx. 45 minutes whether you safely master Swiss traffic rules (30 km/h zones, right-of-way, motorway, roundabouts). Unlike the regular driving test, there are no parking manoeuvres – the focus is safety and confident driving.

    Three success levers for the control drive

    • Prep lesson with a DriveLab instructor on the typical exam route of your road traffic office.
    • Drill the Swiss specifics: right-of-way rules, 30 km/h zones, motorway acceleration lanes, indicator use in roundabouts.
    • Practice in the same type of car you'll bring to the test – or use the DriveLab car.

    EU/EFTA vs. non-EU – the difference

    EU / EFTA

    • No control drive required
    • Eye test + application is enough
    • Swiss licence within 2–4 weeks
    • E.g. DE, AT, FR, IT, all EU countries

    Non-EU / EFTA

    • Control drive mandatory
    • Practical test with an examiner
    • If failed: full Swiss driver training
    • E.g. USA, UK, Brazil, Asia

    Frequently asked questions

    How long do I have to exchange my licence?

    You have 12 months from establishing residency in Switzerland. After that, your foreign licence loses validity here – without exchange you would have to complete the full Swiss driver training.

    As an EU citizen, do I need a control drive?

    No. EU and EFTA holders can exchange without a control drive – eye test and application are sufficient.

    What happens if I fail the control drive?

    You must complete the full Swiss driver training: theory course, VKU, theory test and practical driving exam. Your foreign licence is invalid during this period. A targeted prep lesson significantly reduces this risk.

    Can I take the control drive in my own car?

    Yes, provided it is registered in Switzerland and roadworthy. Recommended: test the combination with the driving instructor first.

    How long until I receive the Swiss licence?

    After passing the control drive (or if exempt) you'll receive the Swiss credit-card licence within 2–6 weeks by mail.

    What is the total cost of the exchange?

    Road traffic office CHF 60–150, eye test ~CHF 20, control drive CHF 130–180, optional prep lesson from CHF 100. Total typically CHF 200–500.

    My town is not in the priority list – what do I do?

    Use the search below the major towns. We show you the nearest DriveLab instructor for every Swiss location where we have car instructors.

    Ready for your control drive?

    Pick your town or contact us directly – we match you with a local DriveLab instructor who knows the exam route of their road traffic office.

    Pick a town