Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Ok you guys! No more bitching about the (optional) MSF course costing $50 or $200... I was doing some research on transferring my current license and endorsements over to Switzerland and came across this from one of the forums. Keep in mind that the current exchange rate is very close to 1/1

Go for the "A" unrestricted licence. This is valid for 4 months, Price is dependent on canton but mine cost CHF 50 in VS.

Then take the 12 hours mandatory lessons, this cost me 200CHF for each 4 hour lesson, so that's 600CHF in total. This extends your bike licence by a further year. You can ride ANY bike with or without passenger as long as you have the L plate visible.

Then you can take your practical exam any time after the 12 hours and before the end of the 16 months, I don't know the price of this as I haven't taken it yet. Talk about getting the first available slot! I would wait until the end of the season to get the practice if you're just starting out, there's no point in rushing, since there are no real restrictions on you when you have the L on.

If you have a car licence that can be transferred into a bike licence, then there's NO restrictions on how soon you can get your bike licence, however the Swiss licence is apparently the hardest in Europe, so it would be advisable to get a bit of practice in.

If you're starting from scratch, in total, I'd set aside 1000-1500CHF for lessons.

Fortunately, everything I can find says that I just have to hand over my US license and they hand me a Swiss one (well, with a lot of bureaucracy in between, of course)

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Hehe - I found this fun little site:

driving quiz

[DogBoy]

Once you hit those roads, any bureaucratic hassles will be long forgotten.

[stew71]

+1

And there are times when I wish it was more expensive and difficult for the average driver/rider to get their license. It would definitely keep a fair number of maroons off the road.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

And there are times when I wish it was more expensive and difficult for the average driver/rider to get their license. It would definitely keep a fair number of maroons off the road.

I for one wouldn't mind. Maybe those on the road might take things a bit more seriously then.

[honda4ever]

+1

And there are times when I wish it was more expensive and difficult for the average driver/rider to get their license. It would definitely keep a fair number of maroons off the road.

Not in the US.
It seems that there are lot of people who have no problem riding/driving w/o a license/insurance/registration.

[loadedmind]

Here in Al-er-bam-er, you get your Motorcycle endorsement by walking up to a computer and taking a 20-question test.  Next, they do an eye exam.  That's it.  Now, if you're 16, you can go out and buy a "'Busa".  And it's not just about the motorcyclist.  Unfortunately, when you get inexperienced riders on bikes they have no business being on, they sometimes take out innocent people.  

I've always been a huge proponent of stricter licensing, auto and motorcycle.  This might be more extreme for some people, but I believe we should adopt the same kind of system overseas - start with cc displacement ceilings and a "prove yourself" tiering model.  Heck, at the very least, require folks pass the Advanced MSF course before handing out the endorsement.

[X1Glider]

I applied for an international driving permit.  Just filled out a form and sent it in.  Good for 1 year increments and lots of different countries.  I went to AAA.  Lots of scammers out ther so a reputable place like AAA or AATA.

Keep in mind, this is not a substitute for a real driver license.  It works in conjunction with your state issued license.  It only serves as a translation that you are a legal driver where you come from and is geared more towards people that travel internationally and frequently.  It just depends on how long you will be staying as to if you care to get a real one.

[Oxblood]

I heard one guy on the radio here recently who said we do not train drivers in North America. We train people to learn how to drive. Driver/rider "instruction" in NA is next to useless. Write a multiple choice test, 30 days later take a road test run on secondary roads, and then get your licence. What a stupid way to licence people.

[toma nova]

I applied for an international driving permit.  Just filled out a form and sent it in.  Good for 1 year increments and lots of different countries.  I went to AAA.  Lots of scammers out ther so a reputable place like AAA or AATA.

Keep in mind, this is not a substitute for a real driver license.  It works in conjunction with your state issued license.  It only serves as a translation that you are a legal driver where you come from and is geared more towards people that travel internationally and frequently.  It just depends on how long you will be staying as to if you care to get a real one.

I was able to ride in Japan for the first year on my US license and AAA international driving permit (translation).  To get a Japanese license, Americans had to take a riding test since there's no reciprocal agreement for straight transfer - I was on a pig of a CB750 with huge crash guards trying to do figure-8s around cones.  Touch a cone, fail.  Put a foot down (not at the stop line), fail.  Too many subjective points off, fail.  Not uncommon for it to take multiple attempts to pass.  A pain, but having a local license certainly made renting a car easier and it starts to get you to used the bureaucracy and cost of your new home!

Tom

[greench440]

Hehe - I found this fun little site:

driving quiz

Thank you for that time waster!    I got mostly 7 and 8s with a 4 on City1.  The biggest trouble I had was with the signs that we don't have in the US   and some of the questions require more than one answer to be correct.    

[Stray Cat]

Not in the US.
It seems that there are lot of people who have no problem riding/driving w/o a license/insurance/registration.

Because there is no recourse for this. Slap on the wrist and returned to the streets.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I got mostly 7 and 8s with a 4 on City1.  The biggest trouble I had was with the signs that we don't have in the US   and some of the questions require more than one answer to be correct.    

That's right about where I ranked (I haven't done them all, nor have I done them in any particular order). The multiple answers option throws me off every time! Whatever happened to the spoon-fed "A & B, or C?"  

[Orson]

Many years ago, 60 Minutes did a segment on whut it took to get a fishing license in Germany.

Holy moley, it wuz like taking a college course   They had to learn all the biological names of all the fish species 'n everything

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Yup. I was visiting my friend in Germany and she said it was a full day's course (8 hours) before getting your fishing license. Personally, I'm all for that. People need to have an understanding of what they're getting into.

[JonS]

Since I just read that you are moving and will be riding in the Alps, I have very little sympathy.

[Mortech]

Forget the CC calssification , we just got rid of that here in WA , it never worked worth a crap ... basically a way for the governmentto make more money off of you as you moved up in size .

[Baz]

Yup. I was visiting my friend in Germany and she said it was a full day's course (8 hours) before getting your fishing license. Personally, I'm all for that. People need to have an understanding of what they're getting into.

Well we must keep the 2000 or so fishing license officers employed.  

[RBEmerson]

Ok you guys! No more bitching about the (optional) MSF course costing $50 or $200... I was doing some research on transferring my current license and endorsements over to Switzerland and came across this from one of the forums. Keep in mind that the current exchange rate is very close to 1/1
[...]
Fortunately, everything I can find says that I just have to hand over my US license and they hand me a Swiss one (well, with a lot of bureaucracy in between, of course)

Is this for a long term stay or a vacation?  

From what little I know of life in Switzerland (garnered from experiences shared by close friends living near Zurich, and the occasional visit), I can't imagine Swissi-land would allow you to (effectively) just roll over your existing motor vehicle license (four or two wheeled).  If you're just visiting (probably with a ninety day limit - but that's just a guess), your current license will do it (BTDT).  After that... good luck with the Fahrschule.  

[Ralf]

I know that Germany has reciprocal agreements with, I believe, a dozen or so US States (e.g. Tennessee). So if you have license from one of these States, you can exchange it for a German one without much ado. Otherwise, a US license is valid in conjunction with an international driver's license for six months. Afterwards you need to get a local license, which in Germany runs on average from €1,500 to €2,000.

I don't know how it is in Switzerland, but the Swiss are essentially anal versions of the Germans and are great bureaucrats.
My personal advice: learn to ski (if you don't already) and prepare yourself for bureaucracy.

That said, you will be in a prime location for motorcycle riding during the season.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I don't know how it is in Switzerland, but the Swiss are essentially anal versions of the Germans and are great bureaucrats.
My personal advice: learn to ski (if you don't already) and prepare yourself for bureaucracy.

Everything I've found online indicates that its a direct swap, license for license, including 2 wheeled endorsements. As for bureaucracy, I'm ok with it as long as things get done at the end of the day. From what I've seen/know, things get done.

Fortunately, Dan's workplace is offering us what is essentially a concerierge: someone who will be there to walk us through licensing, opening bank accounts, getting cable, finding a place to live... you know, the "little things in life" that we take for granted here in the States.  


Skiing: I can ski quite well, but haven't done so for about a dozen years. Dan used to ski, but tore his ACL, so he doesn't do it any more. But this doesn't mean that we won't be doing some snow-top exploring though    Besides, we'll be just 4 1/2 hours from the Mediterranean Sea  

[Ralf]

Relocation assistance through your husband's company will definitely be a big help. Sounds like you're good to go!  

[notarian]

How long can you drive/ride in the country before you must change your license. In most European countries its one year.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

How long can you drive/ride in the country before you must change your license. In most European countries its one year.

It's the same in Switzerland as well, but I'll probably do it sooner, as we'll have employee assistance with stuff for a while  

[Mr.Black]

You still here?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

You still here?

Buy my car  

[Mr.Black]

Buy my car  

The bug?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

The bug?

Hell no. The Outback  

[Mr.Black]

[ConPilot1]

I'd LOVE to come get that KLR.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

It's for sale, you know  

[ConPilot1]

I know, and it's burning a hole in my brain.

I'm actually thinking about putting the C10 up for sale. A KLR would be perfect for my needs right now.

[Mr.Black]

I know, and it's burning a hole in my brain.

I thought that was the meth.

MDD, call me when you need to let the beetle go.

[Papa Lazarou]

It's cheaper to get a UK license. And it'll be valid for Switzerland.

[DogBoy]

It's cheaper to get a UK license. And it'll be valid for Switzerland.

Screw that. Ride without one. Its not like the Swiss are sticklers for rules or details.

[Mr Sunshine]

Is this for a long term stay or a vacation?  

From what little I know of life in Switzerland (garnered from experiences shared by close friends living near Zurich, and the occasional visit), I can't imagine Swissi-land would allow you to (effectively) just roll over your existing motor vehicle license (four or two wheeled).  If you're just visiting (probably with a ninety day limit - but that's just a guess), your current license will do it (BTDT).  After that... good luck with the Fahrschule.  

She's moving there...so for a long period of time.

[miles]

Screw that. Ride without one. Its not like the Swiss are sticklers for rules or details.

They're known for playing fast and loose.    

[HeloPilot]

Where did you find the Swiss license exchange rules online in English? Thanks.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I didn't bookmark the precise site, but there are quite a few others out there that outline the process.

Expat Blog

English Forum (with lots of thread links in the second post)

Essentially, I didn't find any official site (in English) that out lined the steps, but I have enough confidence in what I found on other sites, and others' experiences, to understand that I should not be a problem.

[Aero]

Essentially, .......................... I should not be a problem.

[CheesySwissAccent] No, please do not be a problem, ve Sviss do not like problems...[/CheesySwissAccent]

[Mrs. DantesDame]

[CheesySwissAccent] No, please do not be a problem, ve Sviss do not like problems...[/CheesySwissAccent]

 

[Mrs. DantesDame]

The end of an era...

[Orson]

If I wuz living in the states, I'd store the bug for you.

I never sell anything  

[Papa Lazarou]

Colleen, whereabouts in Switzerland? I believe there's quite big American ex-pat community out there-my middle son's girlfriend's parents live in Basl. I think. I'm sure they'd be happy to introduce you to others.

[Mr Sunshine]

Colleen, whereabouts in Switzerland? I believe there's quite big American ex-pat community out there-my middle son's girlfriend's parents live in Basl. I think. I'm sure they'd be happy to introduce you to others.

Funny thing...that's where.

It is also where my Great Grandmother is from.