Is an International Driver's license required in Switzerland?
Mar 1st, 2007, 07:22 AM
#21
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I'm always amazed at how difficult it is to find out what countries an IDP IS required in. I tried googling for about 15 minutes and found lots of similar "nonsense" garble, but not once could I even find a definitive statement that an IDP is required in Italy -- which I'm about 99% sure it is.
Seems odd if it is a legal requirement that it is so hard to find in print!
Seems odd if it is a legal requirement that it is so hard to find in print!
Mar 1st, 2007, 07:32 AM
#22
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I am going to re-post that quote once more:
"Persons wishing to rent a car in Switzerland are required by law to possess a valid international, EU or UK driving license which should have been issued at least one year prior to the car rental application in Switzerland."
I do not see the word "permit" mentioned anywhere in this quote; what I do see is the word LICENSE mentioned so why my post is "confusing" I am not sure.
An IDP IS a translation of someone's license.
I hope that helps clear up what I did NOT say.
"Persons wishing to rent a car in Switzerland are required by law to possess a valid international, EU or UK driving license which should have been issued at least one year prior to the car rental application in Switzerland."
I do not see the word "permit" mentioned anywhere in this quote; what I do see is the word LICENSE mentioned so why my post is "confusing" I am not sure.
An IDP IS a translation of someone's license.
I hope that helps clear up what I did NOT say.
Mar 1st, 2007, 07:36 AM
#23
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Flanner is correct..the quote did come from some sort of commerical site. To me that doesn't necessarily mean the information is inaccurate.
I interpreted the "international driver's license" to mean just that..a license, ANY license that was issued internationally..in this case not by an EU member, or Switzerland, or the UK.
I interpreted the "international driver's license" to mean just that..a license, ANY license that was issued internationally..in this case not by an EU member, or Switzerland, or the UK.
Mar 1st, 2007, 07:51 AM
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I can only tell my experience, during my trip last December. Take if for what it's worth:
- I was asked to show the IDP at the Hertz rental counter at Palermo Airport, along with my DL.
- I was asked to show the IDP at a Polizia checkpoint just outside the Valley of Temples at Agrigento.
I was never asked about an IDP renting in the UK or France.
- I was asked to show the IDP at the Hertz rental counter at Palermo Airport, along with my DL.
- I was asked to show the IDP at a Polizia checkpoint just outside the Valley of Temples at Agrigento.
I was never asked about an IDP renting in the UK or France.
Mar 1st, 2007, 07:56 AM
#27
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Do a search here for IDP in Italy and you will find a number of people who have been asked to show them at rental counters in Italy, as well as by police. Of course, many more have posted that they weren't asked to show one.
If you have one and you aren't asked, that's not a problem.
If you don't have one and you are asked, then you have a problem.
Figure out which category you'd rather be in.
Meanwhile, I'd be more concerned about being asked for an IDP by the police than by the rental car company.
If you have one and you aren't asked, that's not a problem.
If you don't have one and you are asked, then you have a problem.
Figure out which category you'd rather be in.
Meanwhile, I'd be more concerned about being asked for an IDP by the police than by the rental car company.
Mar 1st, 2007, 09:30 PM
#29
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Huh? I think the consensus on this board is that an IDP is <b>not</b> required in Switzerland.
The discussion drifted off to about Italy, where the consensus is it's required there. But not Switzerland.
The discussion drifted off to about Italy, where the consensus is it's required there. But not Switzerland.
Mar 1st, 2007, 10:01 PM
#33
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Yes, twice my husband WAS required to show his IDP when renting a vehicle in Italy. Yes, under Italian law one must have their country/state valid drivers license plus the IDP which is a translation of their drivers license when driving in Italy. If it is not obtained from their home country (say AAA in the US) than they are legally required to have their drivers license translated by an authorized translator in Italy. Even if the rental auto company does not ask for the IDP IF a driver is stopped for any reason by the Italian authorities they can be fined IF they cannot provide the IDP.
From everything I have read the same is true in Austria.
Regarding Switzerland, even if it is not legally required I would obtain an IDP. It is so easy to do and so inexpensive and I would think just in case of an accident or whatever it would be good to have.
I wish you could go to Switzerland with your husband Margy..hopefully you two can have a trip to Europe in the near future.
From everything I have read the same is true in Austria.
Regarding Switzerland, even if it is not legally required I would obtain an IDP. It is so easy to do and so inexpensive and I would think just in case of an accident or whatever it would be good to have.
I wish you could go to Switzerland with your husband Margy..hopefully you two can have a trip to Europe in the near future.
Mar 1st, 2007, 10:08 PM
#34
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English is so well spoken in Switzerland? Well, I live here and if a local police officer in one of the tiny mountain towns pulls you over for something I can guarantee that he (rarely she) will speak English. And they would have to translate the IP into 3 languages, German, French and Italian (we'll just forget the Romantsch) because those are our offiical languages. Not English.
Mar 2nd, 2007, 12:46 AM
#36
Hi Beaupeep: You live on Lac Leman, right? What languages are the kids learning at school in the French part?
Here in the German speaking part, children now learn English from the third grade on. French begins in the fifth grade. Most kids (and adults) in my area prefer English to French. I think this is twofold: 1) English student books are more modern and fun to work with 2) English is closer in pronunciation to German than French.
On the other hand, you are indeed correct about the languages spoken and many local jobs require French and German before English.
Here in the German speaking part, children now learn English from the third grade on. French begins in the fifth grade. Most kids (and adults) in my area prefer English to French. I think this is twofold: 1) English student books are more modern and fun to work with 2) English is closer in pronunciation to German than French.
On the other hand, you are indeed correct about the languages spoken and many local jobs require French and German before English.
Mar 2nd, 2007, 12:52 AM
#37
I found this text in the Anglo info Geneva website.
>Any foreigner with a valid international driving license may drive as long as they have third party insurance.
Driving in Switzerland with a valid foreign driving licence is permitted as long as certain regulations are respected. For example if the licence is in a language other than French, English, Italian, German it is recommended that it be accompanied by an international one, which is valid for a period of three years.
A foreigner staying in Switzerland for less than 12-months need not exchange their driving licence for a Swiss one.
However all foreigners staying in Switzerland for longer than 12-months need to apply to exchange their licence for a Swiss driving licence within the first year of their arrival in the country (except if they have an 18 month residency permit). EU nationals, US citizens and Japanese citizens may simply exchange their valid driving license for a Swiss one<
The confusion lies in that the Swiss recommend an international Permit but do not require it.
>Any foreigner with a valid international driving license may drive as long as they have third party insurance.
Driving in Switzerland with a valid foreign driving licence is permitted as long as certain regulations are respected. For example if the licence is in a language other than French, English, Italian, German it is recommended that it be accompanied by an international one, which is valid for a period of three years.
A foreigner staying in Switzerland for less than 12-months need not exchange their driving licence for a Swiss one.
However all foreigners staying in Switzerland for longer than 12-months need to apply to exchange their licence for a Swiss driving licence within the first year of their arrival in the country (except if they have an 18 month residency permit). EU nationals, US citizens and Japanese citizens may simply exchange their valid driving license for a Swiss one<
The confusion lies in that the Swiss recommend an international Permit but do not require it.
Mar 2nd, 2007, 03:42 AM
#38
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Hi schuler, yes, I live in Lausanne!
As I have no children I can't say for sure but all of my co-workers say they learned German, it was required, in addition to French which is the native tongue around here. And some of the schools are now teaching English.
As I have no children I can't say for sure but all of my co-workers say they learned German, it was required, in addition to French which is the native tongue around here. And some of the schools are now teaching English.
Mar 2nd, 2007, 04:40 AM
#39
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Bonjour everybody,
I've been looking at the Swiss Federal legislation, and I can confirm there's no need for an Intl license/permit in Switzerland for citizens of the USA, Canada, etc.
Shuler and Beaupeep:
Children in Geneva start learning German around 3rd grade, English around 6th grade, slightly better than when (many years ago) we would start German by the 6th grade and English was optional, but only later ... to the chagrin of our parents who were, correctly, guessing that English would open many more doors in an international city like Geneva.
There's talk of starting English at a much younger age, but there's considerable resistance from some (political) parties who keep going on about French speaking cantons wanting to break national cohesion, while pushing for the replacement of French learning in favor of English in German cantons' primary schools ... go figure!
I've been looking at the Swiss Federal legislation, and I can confirm there's no need for an Intl license/permit in Switzerland for citizens of the USA, Canada, etc.
Shuler and Beaupeep:
Children in Geneva start learning German around 3rd grade, English around 6th grade, slightly better than when (many years ago) we would start German by the 6th grade and English was optional, but only later ... to the chagrin of our parents who were, correctly, guessing that English would open many more doors in an international city like Geneva.
There's talk of starting English at a much younger age, but there's considerable resistance from some (political) parties who keep going on about French speaking cantons wanting to break national cohesion, while pushing for the replacement of French learning in favor of English in German cantons' primary schools ... go figure!
Mar 2nd, 2007, 04:49 AM
#40
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Florence,
Thanks so much for the definitive word!
Florence, schuler, & beaupeep,
I've long been a huge admirer of Switzerland and how such diverse citizens & cantons unite and work together. It's always interesting to see the details & problems that go on behind the scenes -- yet I love the way y'all always work it out --
Looking forward to improving my French during my visit this summer!
s
Thanks so much for the definitive word!
Florence, schuler, & beaupeep,
I've long been a huge admirer of Switzerland and how such diverse citizens & cantons unite and work together. It's always interesting to see the details & problems that go on behind the scenes -- yet I love the way y'all always work it out --
Looking forward to improving my French during my visit this summer!
s
