Exchange:
You can drive in Switzerland with your foreign driver’s license for up to 12 months. If you plan on staying longer, you have following options:
Exchange your foreign license for a Swiss license Don’t drive in Switzerland (your license remains valid abroad) Don’t drive in Switzerland and exchange your license even after 12 months (Canton Zurich only)
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Depending on your country of origin, you may need to complete a practical license exchange test (Kontrollfahrt) before receiving your Swiss license. Countries requiring the test include Russia, China, India, and other non-EU countries.
Important: The Kontrollfahrt is a one-time opportunity.
If you fail, the authorities will keep your foreign license until you pass the full Swiss process (from scratch).
If you pass, you don’t need to complete the mandatory extra Swiss courses like VKU, or WAB and study for the theory test which take around 8 hours each. YES 24 hours lesser — still a great deal in most cases!
I’m a specialist in license exchange (Kontrollfahrt) and will make sure you feel fully prepared for your test. With the countries mentioned above, I already have a lot of experience and am familiar with common driving habits and education gabs. This saves time and energy and money in the end. Zurich is very friendly when it comes to license exchanges, especially in Albisgütli.
Fill out application form
To start the process, fill out the official form:
👉 Available from your local Road Traffic Office or canton’s website
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You’ll also need:
✅ eye test (any optician offers this service)
✅ passport photo (digital or printed out)
Submit application form
You must submit your application in person. Bring:
The application form
Your original driver’s license
Your residence permit
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The office will keep your license for about 10 days. You’ll get it back by post — if you need to drive abroad during this time, plan ahead.
If your license is not in German or English, a certified translation is required.
International driving permits are not accepted
Book your exam
You’ll receive a confirmation letter with the exam date and location within about 10 days
You'll also get your license back
You must confirm the exam date. About 5 days later, you’ll receive confirmation of your final* appointment.
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* Final appointment: We can change the date from now on
From this point on, you’re allowed to drive again until your exam (for up to 3 months), even if you’ve already lived in Switzerland for more than 12 months. If you are not used to drive alone till now, pleasee use this opportunity because we expect an expirenced driver with a License by the exam.
Driving lessons
There’s no minimum number of lessons required, but even the official letter recommends preparing with a driving school.
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My pass rate: 95 %
⚠️ Remember: the Kontrollfahrt is a one-shot test. If you fail, your license will be taken away immediately after the exam.
To continue driving, you’ll need to go through the full Swiss licensing process, minus the first-aid course.
You can rely on my experience — I’ve been preparing people for this exam for over 7 years, and I love every minute.
I’m familiar with typical driving habits from many countries, so I know what to focus on.
You know what you know; I know what you don’t know 😉
Together, we’ll make sure you feel confident and ready.
The practical license exchange exam (Kontrollfahrt)
A 45-minute drive in real traffic with a focus on Swiss rules, which may include:
- Parking
- Highway driving
- Emergency braking
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✅ Exam in German – in simple German. Don’t worry, we’ll practice all common phrases and commands together beforehand.
✅ Exam with your private car is possible. You can use your own car, a driving instructor’s car, or a Mobility vehicle. Choose what you feel most comfortable with—there are no restrictions.
✅ The Kontrollfahrt is slightly different from the Swiss driving test. Less emphasis is placed on exact positioning and constant mirror use.
Checklist for the day before the exam:
✅ Original driver’s license
✅ Residence permit
✅ Do you know your parking space number for the exam?
✅ Quiz: How to handle typical exam situations
WAB course *
Only mandatory If you got your license less than 12 months before coming to Switzerland
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This is one-day advanced training with simulated snow conditions and emergency exercises.
This is not an exam, just a course — and yes, I offer it in English
(Discount Code: ASREG-FL-VERG-W466)
Contact me
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can you help me with the admin paperwork?
Sure, I’ll help you from start to pass! You’ll find most of the information you need on my website. Don’t hesitateto contact me for any help – I’ll get back in touch with you the very same day.
How many driving lessons will I need to exchange my license in Zurich?
It depends on how often you drive. Here’s what you can expect:
Frequent (weekly) drivers: 5–10 lessons
Casual (monthly) drivers: 10+ lessons
Sporadic (yearly) drivers: 20+ lessons, to rebuild your confidence from the ground up.
How difficult is the driving test in Zürich?
The test consists of 45 minutes of driving through a typical Swiss village (no city driving). We check your overalldriving to ensure you know the basic rules in Switzerland and are in control of the situation.
We do not use a point system, but serious mistakes—such as creating dangerous situations for others, mixingup rules, or being too slow and overly cautious—can result in a fail. Attention: Common mistake is to miss andpedestrian by the crossing. You should expect a short highway drive, some mountain roads, priority situations,and two maneuvers, such as emergency braking, parking, or a three-point turn. Overall no problem if you knowwhat is to expect. Preparing is almost a past, Good luck!
What if I also have a motorcycle license?
If you obtained your motorcycle license more than 12 months before coming to Switzerland, it will be transferredautomatically when you exchange your car license. You do not have to apply seperately for it.
Not used to riding on Swiss roads? I offer excellent refresher courses to help you get familiar with local traffic rules andriding practices.