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Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Topic: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive! (Read 15942 times)
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
on:
August 01, 2012, 12:49:15 pm »
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
Quote
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)
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #1 on:
August 01, 2012, 01:47:11 pm »
Hehe - I found this fun little site:
driving quiz
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #2 on:
August 01, 2012, 01:50:02 pm »
Once you hit those roads, any bureaucratic hassles will be long forgotten.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #3 on:
August 01, 2012, 02:04:47 pm »
+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.
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #4 on:
August 01, 2012, 02:05:51 pm »
Quote from: stew71 on August 01, 2012, 02:04:47 pm
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #5 on:
August 01, 2012, 02:13:55 pm »
Quote from: stew71 on August 01, 2012, 02:04:47 pm
+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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #6 on:
August 01, 2012, 02:37:04 pm »
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #7 on:
August 01, 2012, 03:19:04 pm »
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #8 on:
August 01, 2012, 03:34:42 pm »
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #9 on:
August 02, 2012, 10:43:33 am »
Quote from: X1Glider on August 01, 2012, 03:19:04 pm
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
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #10 on:
August 02, 2012, 12:30:55 pm »
Quote from: Mrs. DantesDame on August 01, 2012, 01:47:11 pm
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #11 on:
August 02, 2012, 12:42:06 pm »
Quote from: honda4ever on August 01, 2012, 02:13:55 pm
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.
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #12 on:
August 02, 2012, 12:54:04 pm »
Quote from: greench440 on August 02, 2012, 12:30:55 pm
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?"
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #13 on:
August 02, 2012, 01:17:11 pm »
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
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #14 on:
August 02, 2012, 01:27:17 pm »
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #15 on:
August 02, 2012, 06:02:20 pm »
Since I just read that you are moving and will be riding in the Alps, I have very little sympathy.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #16 on:
August 02, 2012, 11:36:30 pm »
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 .
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #17 on:
August 03, 2012, 12:34:54 am »
Quote from: Mrs. DantesDame on August 02, 2012, 01:27:17 pm
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #18 on:
August 07, 2012, 10:41:31 pm »
Quote from: Mrs. DantesDame on August 01, 2012, 12:49:15 pm
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #19 on:
August 08, 2012, 03:44:03 am »
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.
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #20 on:
August 08, 2012, 07:52:57 am »
Quote from: Ralf on August 08, 2012, 03:44:03 am
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
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #21 on:
August 08, 2012, 10:12:56 am »
Relocation assistance through your husband's company will definitely be a big help. Sounds like you're good to go!
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #22 on:
August 14, 2012, 05:25:19 am »
How long can you drive/ride in the country before you must change your license. In most European countries its one year.
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #23 on:
August 14, 2012, 08:43:11 am »
Quote from: notarian on August 14, 2012, 05:25:19 am
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
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #24 on:
August 14, 2012, 08:48:08 am »
You still here?
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #25 on:
August 14, 2012, 08:50:27 am »
Quote from: Mr.Black on August 14, 2012, 08:48:08 am
You still here?
Buy my car
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #26 on:
August 14, 2012, 10:55:23 am »
Quote from: Mrs. DantesDame on August 14, 2012, 08:50:27 am
Buy my car
The bug?
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #27 on:
August 14, 2012, 11:17:13 am »
Quote from: Mr.Black on August 14, 2012, 10:55:23 am
The bug?
Hell no. The Outback
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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August 14, 2012, 11:30:30 am »
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #29 on:
August 14, 2012, 12:24:38 pm »
I'd LOVE to come get that KLR.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #30 on:
August 14, 2012, 12:31:34 pm »
It's for sale, you know
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #31 on:
August 14, 2012, 12:33:02 pm »
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #32 on:
August 14, 2012, 01:21:06 pm »
Quote from: ConPilot1 on August 14, 2012, 12:33:02 pm
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #33 on:
August 19, 2012, 08:47:37 am »
It's cheaper to get a UK license. And it'll be valid for Switzerland.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #34 on:
August 20, 2012, 10:29:19 pm »
Quote from: Papa Lazarou on August 19, 2012, 08:47:37 am
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
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Reply #35 on:
September 09, 2012, 11:10:30 pm »
Quote from: RBEmerson on August 07, 2012, 10:41:31 pm
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.
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miles
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #36 on:
September 09, 2012, 11:59:57 pm »
Quote from: DogBoy on August 20, 2012, 10:29:19 pm
Screw that. Ride without one. Its not like the Swiss are sticklers for rules or details.
They're known for playing fast and loose.
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HeloPilot
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #37 on:
September 18, 2012, 08:01:43 pm »
Where did you find the Swiss license exchange rules online in English? Thanks.
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #38 on:
September 18, 2012, 08:30:30 pm »
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #39 on:
September 19, 2012, 08:43:27 am »
Quote from: Mrs. DantesDame on September 18, 2012, 08:30:30 pm
Essentially, .......................... I should not be a problem.
[CheesySwissAccent] No, please do not be a problem, ve Sviss do not like problems...[/CheesySwissAccent]
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"Forget about the past, you cannot change it. Forget about the future, you cannot predict it. Forget about the present, I didn't get you one."
Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #40 on:
September 19, 2012, 08:52:18 am »
Quote from: Aero on September 19, 2012, 08:43:27 am
[CheesySwissAccent] No, please do not be a problem, ve Sviss do not like problems...[/CheesySwissAccent]
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #41 on:
November 15, 2012, 07:12:25 pm »
The end of an era...
«
Last Edit: November 15, 2012, 07:15:43 pm by Mrs. DantesDame
»
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Orson
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #42 on:
November 15, 2012, 10:21:39 pm »
If I wuz living in the states, I'd store the bug for you.
I never sell anything
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #43 on:
November 16, 2012, 03:38:32 am »
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.
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #44 on:
November 18, 2012, 06:28:43 pm »
Quote from: Papa Lazarou on November 16, 2012, 03:38:32 am
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.
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tenbears
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #45 on:
May 29, 2013, 09:07:46 pm »
Been here over a year and getting a replacement licence was a breeze: no fees, no hassle [for UK & French nationals].
... am now attempting to import one of the 1100s.
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #46 on:
May 30, 2013, 01:04:40 am »
Quote from: tenbears on May 29, 2013, 09:07:46 pm
... am now attempting to import one of the 1100s.
Let me know how that works out for you...
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tenbears
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #47 on:
May 30, 2013, 11:38:03 am »
Will do.
Overcast with sporadic showers here in Geneva... this time last year it was shorts all the way to October.
Congrats by the way.... I know how it feels, and for us it couldn't have been better timed: serendipity at its finest. Fantastic place, but pricey.
oh, dunno if you've picked up on the Swiss driving style, but be careful. I'd probably rate them below Europe's worst: the Portuguese [statistically the worst in Europe]. Trouble here is they just won't indicate, and round-a-bouts fox them completely – you never know where they intend to go. I don't know if this taught, it seems to be, which is doubly weird.
Culturally, even though familiar, this place is a world away from the SE of England. My first impressions were how polite everyone is, but it's easy to be taken in: below the surface the Swiss are quite conceited. I've worked with over 30 markets in Europe, including our eastern cousins, and the worst to deal with were the Swiss... topping that, the Swiss Germans take the Grand Prix d'Arrogance, and have been, consistently, the most unpleasant people I have had to communicate with on a working basis, anywhere in the world. Be warned. In many ways they exhibit a German mentality, which can easily be interpreted as arrogance [I'm half Prussian]... but it's real, it exists and it is there.
Would love to post some pics but feel it's a little inappropriate here.
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Papa Lazarou
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #48 on:
May 30, 2013, 02:53:08 pm »
Bavarians are quite nice and some of them laugh at my jokes....
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Mrs. DantesDame
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #49 on:
June 19, 2013, 04:54:52 am »
I occasionally run across licensing questions/answers on some local forums and I find it interesting to read what others have to do to get their licenses (thank goodness mine transferred over directly!).
This recounting is interesting, as I didn't realize that you had to take your driving test with an examiner on the back of the bike.
Quote
Like everyone said:
- Register online.
- Be there on time on the designated spot with a bike with at least 35kW.
- It is one examiner per two bikes.
- Prepare your bike, clean mirrors, tighten chain if needed, fill up tank, remove any luggages/ top cases, sissy bars. Short: Any thing that may hinder the examiner to get off from you bike fast in case of an emergency.
- Prepare your self, wear protective clothing, helmet with clean visor, gloves, motorcycle jacket, motorcycle pants, boots which will go at least over your ankle. (You may fail if you do not wear this things)
- First maneuver part. Do figure eight, as small as your bike allows. Tram lines / Spurgasse is a half meter wide ten meter long strip uphill (harder) or downhill (easy). You have to do it in more than 15 seconds, with out stopping, without leaving the path. (There is no slalom in Zurich Albisgüetli)
- If you master that you will go to the second maneuver part. Emergency stopping. You have to speed up to at least 50 km/h and to an emergency stop when signaled. Come to a complete stop and put down both of your feet.
- Then the street part starts. The examiner will sit on one of the two bikes. He will switch half time. He will give signals by tapping on your shoulder. If your test mate fails the maneuver part you will have the examiner for the whole duration of the test on your bike.
- The one in the front will have the examiner and has to drive has he would drive if there is no other bike behind. Examiner will indicate if it is time to stop so other can catch up.
- Avoid pot holes and street marking, especially during rain but also when it is dry. At zebra crossing go between the yellow lines. At arrows go left of them.
- Do your life savers. Mirror - Mirror - Over the shoulder - Turn Signal - Over the shoulder - Turn. If doing a right turn in the city go as far right as allowed so that you block of any non-motor-cyclist.
- Do not cross solid lines. Except in case of an emergency.
- In curves keep your bike, yourself, and the examiners head on your side of the street.
- Beware of priority from the right. Slow down, prepare to break, look into the road w/ priority (by turning your head slightly).
- If you see kids, slow down, prepare to break.
- Slow traffic ahead of you? Over take them if it is save w/o going over the legal limit. (Overtaking is expected if slower traffic is at least 20km/h bellow legal limit)
- Traffic jam. Keep your place in the line - it is the law.
- Avoid noise, do not use first gear in a 30 km/h zone.
- If you are in the back. Do not do any shenanigans, follow the expected procedure. The examiner has a little mirror.
- Last, the examiners weight may be anywhere from 55 up to 120 kg.
- I copied/pasted directly, including typos
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Re: Getting a MC license in Switzerland is expensive!
«
Reply #50 on:
July 08, 2013, 01:38:48 pm »
Expensive? And rightfully, so because it isn't a weekend course. That would apply to Germany, Austria, etc. as well. You should see (having just seen one) the driving handbook in Germany. It makes ours look like a comic book.
Maybe that is why their drivers are so much more clued in than the piss poor drivers on this side of the pond. This based on personal observation. And it isn't just driving ability; its the attitude at the controls.
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