Before you start

Valid foreign driving licence
Residence permit and registration
Eyesight test from a recognised provider
Certified translation where the licence is not in an official Swiss language

Step-by-step

1
Note your twelve-month deadline on arrival
The clock starts when you take up residence, not when you first drive. Put the date in your calendar the week you register.
In personWho: You
2
Take an eyesight test
Required for the application, done at an optician or doctor recognised by the road traffic office.
In personWho: You
3
Apply to the cantonal road traffic office
In Zurich this is the Strassenverkehrsamt. Submit your foreign licence, permit, eyesight report, a photo and the application form.
In personWho: You
4
Take a control drive, if your country requires one
Switzerland groups countries into categories. Licences from many states exchange directly; others require a practical control drive with an examiner. Fail it twice and you go through full training.
In personWho: You
5
Surrender your foreign licence
The foreign licence is handed in on exchange. If you need it for another country, resolve that before exchanging.
In personWho: You

Documents you’ll need

Foreign driving licence
Residence permit
Eyesight test report
Passport photograph
Certified translation, where applicable

Things most newcomers don’t know

The twelve-month deadline is unforgiving and the downside is legal, not just administrative.

The day it passes your foreign licence stops being valid here, so continuing to drive is driving without a permit — heavy fines, and your insurance position collapses with it. Exchanging late is usually still possible but costs you a fine and, commonly, tests the on-time route would have spared you.

Source: ch.ch — exchanging your driving licence; cantonal road traffic office practice

Whether you need a control drive depends on your issuing country's category.

Switzerland classifies foreign licences into groups. Some exchange on paper; others require a practical assessment. Check your category before assuming it's a counter transaction.

Source: Cantonal road traffic office guidance

You probably don't need a car in Zurich.

The ZVV network is excellent, parking is scarce and expensive, and car-sharing schemes are widespread. Many residents exchange the licence purely to preserve the option, then don't own a vehicle.

Source: community-reported

Exchanging means surrendering the original licence.

If you spend time in a country that requires the original — or you plan to move on — think it through first. Getting a replacement from your home authority afterwards can be slow.

Source: Cantonal road traffic office practice

Common mistakes to avoid

Letting the twelve-month window lapse — your foreign licence stops being valid here, and a late exchange typically costs a fine plus tests you would otherwise have avoided.
Assuming your licence exchanges on paper without checking whether a control drive applies.
Not budgeting for a control drive or, worse, full Swiss licensing.
Surrendering the original licence without considering where else you need it.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.