International drivers license

[TISPKJ]

Hi Guys, am after a little advice, as a swiss citizen with a swiss drivers license can you also get an International drivers license ? and if yes does anyone no the process please.

[WelshBoyo]

I had to get one for my trip to New Zealand this year, details at:-
International Driving Permit (IDP) in Switzerland

[TISPKJ]

Thanks for that, so pressumably you would just get one in the same place that issued the swiss license, or is it a post job ? Nyon I think from memory issued it, and my Germans not so good but looks like it lasts 3 years only ?

[WelshBoyo]

Yes in the Strassenverkehrsamt, so same place as where you had your licence converted. You need your current Swiss Driving licence and a couple of recent passport photographs and I think I took my Swiss permit and passport just encase.

Zug canton did it while I waited, took all of 5 minutes. It is a simple paper booklet with my photo on the front stamped by Zug canton and pages inside with a load of different languages explaining the Swiss driving licence. I think you are right and it only lasts 3 years.

In the end no-one even asked to see the international driving licence in NZ, but for legal and insurance purposes we had to have it - a bit crazy.

[JMGS4]

WelshBoyo said:

In the end no-one even asked to see the international driving licence in NZ, but for legal and insurance purposes we had to have it - a bit crazy.

Am regularly down in NZ, have never ever been asked for an international license, just use my ancient german one (but take my GB as well in case they've trouble with furrin languages...) even the car hire people don't bat an eyelid....

[TISPKJ]

Thanks guys, all very useful info, was told in order to become a swiss resident you needed to get a swiss license and surrender your GB license.
Problem now is trying to insure the car / cars that are still based in the UK, as soon as you tell them you do not have a UK license forget any idea of insurance, they wont even put you on as a named driver on a policy, possible way round the problem is to get an International license

[WelshBoyo]

JMGS4 said:

even the car hire people don't bat an eyelid....

Yep same here, but I noticed it under the Terms and Conditions of the Campervan hire, so didn't want to risk any complications later on.