Worried, Jean-Michel living in Annecy (Haute-Savoie) asks us: “I heard that the Swiss must change their blue license from the beginning of November. Can I still continue to drive in Switzerland with my old driving license? » Rest assured Jean-Michel, West France answers you.
What is happening in Switzerland?
Since 1is November, Switzerland has in fact abandoned its old blue paper license, equivalent to our pink paper license in France. Since this date, the old driving license is no longer considered valid during an inspection. “Only the credit card format is now legal”explains the website RTS.
The reason? According to the Swiss Automobile Services Association, the blue license “no longer complies with international and European safety standards”. Since 1is November, therefore, “any person presenting an invalid paper license during a police check will be liable to a fine of 20 Swiss francs”.
What change for the French?
Nothing changes for the French. If you are in Switzerland for a short tourist stay, the Public Services website explains that “you can drive with your French license”as long as it is valid. In France, the pink paper license is still valid, even in Switzerland.
Read also: Do you need an international license to drive abroad? We answer you
If you live in France but work in Switzerland, the same, you can keep your French license, unless you have to drive a vehicle registered in Switzerland, requiring a category C license (vehicles over 3.5 tonnes) or D (for a vehicle assigned to the transport of people and having more than eight seats, or a towing vehicle with a trailer weighing less than 750 kg).
In this case, you will need to exchange your license with the competent automobile service depending on where you work in Switzerland.
If you are a foreigner, but you have been living on Swiss territory for more than twelve consecutive months without having lived at least three months abroad, then this change of license is also imposed on you.
