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An international driver’s license is a document that is recognized as a translation of the driver’s license valid in Switzerland when travelling. Depending on the destination, such an international driver’s license is required, for example, to rent a car, as the Swiss driver’s license is not recognized.
In this article, you will find out when you need an international driving license and how to apply for one.
However, an international driving license is not required in the directly neighbouring countries and the EU and EFTA states due to agreements with Switzerland.
When do you need an international driving license?
The Swiss driving license in credit card format also contains designations in English. It can therefore be assumed that it will be accepted by the enforcement authorities in countries where English is the national or official language. In addition, you can carry an explanation of the driver’s license in English.
When traveling to other regions of the world where you want to drive, it is worth carrying an international driving license. If you are unsure whether you need an international driving license in your destination country, you can obtain information from the consulate. Local car rental companies can also provide information. The Touring-Club-Switzerland has a comprehensive list of different travel countries, including the documents required there.
In principle, you do not need an international driving license in the EU states (except Lithuania). You can also travel to the EFTA states (Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway) without this document. Other European countries include Andorra, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino and Turkey. In some other countries you can drive with a Swiss driver’s license for a certain period of time (e.g. in Qatar for 7 days, in the Marshall Islands and Micronesia for 30 days).
A popular car travel destination, the USA, also recognizes the Swiss driving license. However, the TCS recommends that you still carry an international license. This also applies to Canada.
An international driving license is mandatory in these countries
Here you can see a list of countries and sovereign territories that require an international driver’s license:
Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Malawi, Mayotte(F), Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Zimbabwe
Asia: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, East Timor, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates
Europe: Georgia
Central and South America: Belize, Bolivia, Guyana, Jamaica, Paraguay, Venezuela
Middle East: Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates
Oceania: Cook Islands (NZ), Fiji, Kiribati, Niue (NZ), East Samoa (USA)
An international driving license is recommended here
Asia: Armenia, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore,
Europe: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Serbia, Belarus,
Central and South America: Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Niacaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay
North America: Canada, Mexico, USA
Oceania:
French Polynesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Middle East: Israel, Jordan, Oman
Exceptions to the international driving license
Some countries are interesting for tourists, but do not allow either the Swiss driving license or the international driving license. In these countries, only the local driver’s license is valid. In some cases this may not be difficult to obtain, but it is advisable not to have your own (rental) car when traveling to these areas:
This group mainly includes the Caribbean islands of Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Caiman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.
In Asia, only the local driver’s license is valid in China, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, in Oceania Samoa and Tonga and in South America Suriname.
The countries of Bermuda, Myanmar and North Korea generally prohibit tourists from driving. However, cars with a driver can usually be hired in these regions.
For which driver’s license categories can I order one?
To order an international driving license, you need a Swiss driving license in credit card format (FAK).
The old driving license on blue paper is only available in German. If you still have an old driving license, you must exchange it for a credit card format driving license (FAK) before you can order an international driving license. This is done by the road traffic office in your canton of residence.
You can also get an international driving license for the temporary “probationary driving license”. The simple fact is that the validity period of the international driving license has the same expiration date as the probationary driving license. This may need to be taken into account when planning your trip.
Apply for an international driving license
Since the international driver’s license is an internationally valid version of the valid Swiss driver’s license, no re-examination is necessary.
You can order an international driving license from the road traffic office in your canton of residence.
There are significant differences depending on the canton when it comes to ordering an international driving license: some offer ordering at the online counter, by e-mail, by telephone or by post. In many cantons, it is also possible to obtain an international driving license over the counter. This option is particularly attractive for those in a hurry, as you can take the international driving license with you straight away, while all other ordering options involve additional processing and shipping time. The Road Traffic Office needs 2-3 working days to issue your international driving license. Plus the time it takes to send it by post.
At the counter, you must present your valid Swiss driving license in credit card format in order to be issued an international one. In some cantons, a current passport photo is also required.
The cost of the international driving license varies from canton to canton between 15 and 50 francs.
The international driving license is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. As already described, this does not apply to the “probationary driving license”. International driving licenses issued on a provisional driving license have the same period of validity as the probationary driving license.
After the three years that the international driving license is valid, a new one can be applied for seamlessly. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply for an international driving license.
You can find the details of your own canton of residence here:
FAQs – Frequently asked questions
Was ist der internationale Führerschein?
The international driver’s license is an internationally recognized translation of the Swiss driver’s license. This means that the Swiss driving license is valid in many countries.
Wie erhalte ich den internationalen Führerschein?
You can order an international driving license from the road traffic office in your canton of residence. This requires a Swiss driving license in credit card format. This can be used to obtain the international driving license directly at the counter in most cantons. Other cantons issue the international driving license by telephone, e-mail or online form. Some cantons also require a current passport photo.
Wie lange dauert es, bis ich den internationalen Führerschein habe?
If you order your international driving license at the counter, you can take it with you straight away. If you order it in another way, the road traffic offices need 2-3 working days from receipt of your order to issue it. Plus the time it takes to send it by post.
Ist mein Führerschein international gültig?
Yes and no. If you have a Swiss driving license in credit card format (FAK), it is valid in EU and EFTA countries (except Lithuania). In addition, recognition varies from country to country. In countries that do not accept the Swiss driving license, you must carry an international driving license.
Wo darf ich mit Schweizer Führerschein fahren?
In the EU states (except Lithuania) and the EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), your Swiss driving license is sufficient. Your driver’s license is also recognized in Andorra, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino and Turkey. In other countries, you can drive with a regular Swiss driving license for a certain period of time, but you will need another document afterwards.
Wo braucht man einen internationalen Führerschein?
EU and EFTA countries accept the regular Swiss driver’s license. The international driving license is mandatory in the following countries, sorted by region:
Africa: Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Malawi, Mayotte(F), Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Zimbabwe
Asia: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, East Timor, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates
Europe: Georgia
Central and South America: Belize, Bolivia, Guyana, Jamaica, Paraguay, Venezuela
Middle East: Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates
Oceania: Cook Islands (NZ), Fiji, Kiribati, Niue (NZ), East Samoa (USA)
It should be noted that traffic regulations relating to tourism and therefore the rules on compulsory identification can change quickly. Deadlines may also apply in the countries mentioned above.
Was passiert, wenn man ohne internationalen Führerschein fährt?
If a country requires an international driving license, you can get into trouble when renting a car or during a traffic check. You may be fined or otherwise penalized if you are stopped.
Wie viel kostet die Busse, wenn ich im Ausland ohne internationalen Führerschein Auto fahre?
It depends on the supervisory bodies and local jurisdiction.
Summary
To avoid trouble with the police and car rental companies abroad, it is often worth applying for an international driving license. It mainly makes sense if you are traveling overseas to a country where English is less widely spoken. It is best to apply for an international driver’s license at least one week before your departure. With costs of only around CHF 30, it’s well worth it.
Write us in the comments below if you have any questions.
If you want to prepare for driving abroad, you can book a driving lesson in Zurich, Zug, Lucerne or Rapperswil at any time.