Driving a non-Swiss registered car here
Discussion
Speaking to a friend in Dusseldorf who wanted to lend his German registered car to his girlfriend in Zurich. He was stopped at the border in a random check. They asked why he was travelling to Switzerland etc. He mentioned that he was driving there and flying back yadda yadda.
They mentioned that she was not allowed to drive a non-Swiss registered car if she is a Swiss resident. He challenged them but they were insistent. He has since called his insurance company who have confirmed this. Apparently, regardless of any-driver policy etc, Swiss residents are not insured on foreign registered cars unless the owner is present.
Anybody heard of this ?
They mentioned that she was not allowed to drive a non-Swiss registered car if she is a Swiss resident. He challenged them but they were insistent. He has since called his insurance company who have confirmed this. Apparently, regardless of any-driver policy etc, Swiss residents are not insured on foreign registered cars unless the owner is present.
Anybody heard of this ?
That explains something... I recently entered Switzerland from Germany with a German registered car and a UK passport. I got asked three times if I was a Swiss resident; after the third time I came close to asking which part of "No, I'm not a Swiss resident" the officer didn't understand but then thought better of it. I don't like the sound of rubber gloves. 
So what is the situation if I were to have a UK registered car, insured to a UK address and owned by myself- with Swiss driving licence and Swiss residency? Could I bring that across to drive around Switzerland for a couple of months?
Just idly thinking, as should that monster, imaginary windfall land in my lap, could I own a car that could not possibly be registered by the bureaucrats in Switzerland? I'm thinking Ultima for example...
Just idly thinking, as should that monster, imaginary windfall land in my lap, could I own a car that could not possibly be registered by the bureaucrats in Switzerland? I'm thinking Ultima for example...
Whitean3 said:
So what is the situation if I were to have a UK registered car, insured to a UK address and owned by myself- with Swiss driving licence and Swiss residency? Could I bring that across to drive around Switzerland for a couple of months?
Just idly thinking, as should that monster, imaginary windfall land in my lap, could I own a car that could not possibly be registered by the bureaucrats in Switzerland? I'm thinking Ultima for example...
You'd have to reregister it in CH, you cannot drive it on a swiss license in CH!!Just idly thinking, as should that monster, imaginary windfall land in my lap, could I own a car that could not possibly be registered by the bureaucrats in Switzerland? I'm thinking Ultima for example...
JMGS4 said:
Whitean3 said:
So what is the situation if I were to have a UK registered car, insured to a UK address and owned by myself- with Swiss driving licence and Swiss residency? Could I bring that across to drive around Switzerland for a couple of months?
Just idly thinking, as should that monster, imaginary windfall land in my lap, could I own a car that could not possibly be registered by the bureaucrats in Switzerland? I'm thinking Ultima for example...
You'd have to reregister it in CH, you cannot drive it on a swiss license in CH!!Just idly thinking, as should that monster, imaginary windfall land in my lap, could I own a car that could not possibly be registered by the bureaucrats in Switzerland? I'm thinking Ultima for example...
Whitean3 said:
So what is the situation if I were to have a UK registered car, insured to a UK address and owned by myself- with Swiss driving licence and Swiss residency? Could I bring that across to drive around Switzerland for a couple of months?
Just idly thinking, as should that monster, imaginary windfall land in my lap, could I own a car that could not possibly be registered by the bureaucrats in Switzerland? I'm thinking Ultima for example...
Yes it's possible. But you'd have to pay a horrendous amount in taxes. My uncle (who's swiss) lives and works in Munich and being often in Switzerland he basically had to pay swiss VAT on the car.Just idly thinking, as should that monster, imaginary windfall land in my lap, could I own a car that could not possibly be registered by the bureaucrats in Switzerland? I'm thinking Ultima for example...
It's only a matter of taxes, nothing to do with insurance.
Dragging up an old thread as could not find an answer.
What are the rules/paperwork requirements when selling a car in Switzerland?
I am in the UK, and have been offered a Swiss registered car from a friend in part exchange for one of my cars.
I will drive it over to Switzerland in July and sell it to a dealer there (as part of my holiday) and then fly back.
The car will still be Swiss registered to the current owner (not me), does that cause any paperwork problems when selling to a dealer? (the car will be insured with my trade insurance).
What are the rules/paperwork requirements when selling a car in Switzerland?
I am in the UK, and have been offered a Swiss registered car from a friend in part exchange for one of my cars.
I will drive it over to Switzerland in July and sell it to a dealer there (as part of my holiday) and then fly back.
The car will still be Swiss registered to the current owner (not me), does that cause any paperwork problems when selling to a dealer? (the car will be insured with my trade insurance).
If you already have the purchasing dealer in mind, speak to them and they will guide you as each Canton (county) has its own rules and peculiarities.
You say it's a Swiss registered car well if it has valid Swiss number plates fitted then it may already be covered by the keepers insurance*.... If the Swiss insurance has lapsed then there is 'a chance' that you will be stopped at the border and have to explain....
This happened to a colleague of mine earlier this year when his insurance had lapsed due to an administrative cockup and numberplate recognintion technology meant he was alerted to the fact by the border guards when he tried to re-enter from France - much to the amusement of his entire family who were told that their journey ended there with the car being impounded (not being possible to sort out the admin in situ given that it was the weekend)!
P.S. * If you have the grey owners document you will see the name of the Swiss insurance company in box 9.
You say it's a Swiss registered car well if it has valid Swiss number plates fitted then it may already be covered by the keepers insurance*.... If the Swiss insurance has lapsed then there is 'a chance' that you will be stopped at the border and have to explain....
This happened to a colleague of mine earlier this year when his insurance had lapsed due to an administrative cockup and numberplate recognintion technology meant he was alerted to the fact by the border guards when he tried to re-enter from France - much to the amusement of his entire family who were told that their journey ended there with the car being impounded (not being possible to sort out the admin in situ given that it was the weekend)!
P.S. * If you have the grey owners document you will see the name of the Swiss insurance company in box 9.
Edited by MogulBoy on Monday 11th June 12:32
Just coming back to this topic again, as without thinking, I guess I am flouting the law when I drop my car off for a service in Loerrach and get given a lovely, brand new replacement Porsche on German plates to blat around with! I'm guessing there is some sort of exemption if it is a loan car? If not, to hell with the rules!
Whitean3 said:
Just coming back to this topic again, as without thinking, I guess I am flouting the law when I drop my car off for a service in Loerrach and get given a lovely, brand new replacement Porsche on German plates to blat around with! I'm guessing there is some sort of exemption if it is a loan car? If not, to hell with the rules!
NOPE!!! It's technically a hire car so exempt in that case (I asked!)Gassing Station | Switzerland | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff