How can I exchange my Dutch driving licence in Switzerland?

Exchanging your driving licence

You can exchange your Dutch driving licence for a Swiss driving licence at the Strassenverkehrsamt (information in German, French and Italian). You must do this within 1 year of registering as a resident in Switzerland. You don’t need to retake your driving test.

Drivers of vehicles registered in Switzerland must have a driving licence that is valid in Switzerland. A Dutch driving licence that has expired or that has not been exchanged within 1 year of the holder registering as a resident of Switzerland is not valid. If you drive with such a licence, you will be uninsured.

Lost your driving licence?

Have you lost your driving licence? Then you will need a certificate of authenticity (echtheidsverklaring) from the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) (information in Dutch) if you wish to apply for a Swiss driving licence. The Swiss authorities do not recognise this certificate. This means you will need to take your driving test again in Switzerland. For more information, contact the cantonal authorities in your place of residence.

Exchanged driving licence?

If your original driving licence was issued by a country that is not part of the European Union (EU) and you then exchanged it for a Dutch driving licence, you may not always be able to exchange your Dutch driving licence in another EU country. The Strassenverkehrsamt can tell you whether you can exchange your Dutch driving licence for a Swiss licence in this case. If this is not possible, you will need to take your driving test again.