Before you start driving in Switzerland, you must read the rules and regulations for driving licenses, car registration, and importing the vehicles.
If you are planning to drive in Switzerland, you will find the geographic diversity of this place demands getting adapted to a wide range of environments, ranging from motorways to small mountain roads and some specific road rules. The rules regarding driving in this country are enforced, and regulations apply for utilizing the license of your foreign driver or car from overseas.
Switzerland has won the best award for having the safest roads by the European Transport Safety Council. After the number of road deaths decreased by 15 per cent, Switzerland was awarded the ETSC Road Safety Performance Index Award.
Whether you are living or visiting in Switzerland, you can drive thereby using your foreign driving license for nearly 12 months. However, if the driver’s license is not in German, Italian, English or French, you will also require an International Driving License or Permit, which is not a license but a version of a foreign license.
The minimum age for driving cars and two-wheelers of 500 cc in Switzerland is 18 years. Small motorcycles of below 500 cc can be driven by kids below 14 years at a maximum speed of 30 km/h. From the age of 16, one can drive motorcycles under 500 cc at a maximum speed of 45km/h. If the drivers are younger than the minimum age limit, for instance, 18 for driving car, they are not allowed to drive in Switzerland, even if they can drive in their home state.
With a foreign driving license, you can drive in Switzerland for nearly 12 months. However, before this, you must convert your driving license to a Swiss driving license. For this, you must clear a theory exam or a practical driving test based on your occupation or nationality, so ensure that you start the procedure in advance.
If you are a business traveller or a tourist in Switzerland, then you can bring your car in Switzerland without any formalities. On the other hand, if you are a student, intern or an employee who is staying temporarily in Switzerland then, you can import and use your foreign-registered vehicle without paying duty fee for nearly 2 years.
If you are moving to Switzerland for a long time period, you can bring your vehicle duty-free, but you must register your vehicle with the Road Traffic office. Vehicles that are owned for a period of fewer than 6 months must pay import tax. It is important to show official documents in order to confirm the value of your car and its original country. Few of the import duties like customs duties, CHF 15 for a report needed for vehicle registration, and 7.5 per cent VAT.
Vehicles that are owned for over six months do not have to pay import duty, but they need a complete clearance report form for moving. A month after the car is imported, the Motor Registration office informs the vehicle owner that within 1 year, there will be an official motor vehicle inspection. After the test finishes, drivers must pay the Swiss road tax.
Keep all these things in mind while driving in Switzerland.