The paper license is no longer valid since November 1st

In Switzerland, it has no longer been authorized to use a paper license for several days. In France, this will be the case from 2033.

For decades, the driving license has been materialized by a small pink piece of paper in France. But it's more or less the same thing in other countries, like in Switzerland, even if it is blue in our neighbors. Be careful, however, because there is a small change to be aware of, if you obtained your precious sesame there. Indeed, since November 1, Switzerland has decided to turn a page in automobile history by making the driving license obsolete. in blue paperknown for its sober and emblematic format, nicknamed the “old blue”.

The end of the paper driving license

This decision aims to modernize identification documents drivers, by aligning the country with international standards and improving the safety and traceability of licenses. For holders of this historic model, the urgency is now to move to the card format license, a more secure document, resistant to counterfeiting and easy to transport. Those who persist in driving the old model face a fine of 20 Swiss francs, or approximately 21.25 euros at the current exchange rate. Although this penalty seems light, it could quickly represent a significant cost for frequent offenders or those who wait too long to comply with the new regulations And be careful, because updating your driving license is not free: it costs between 30 and 75 francs depending on the canton, with notable disparities. – for example, in Geneva, the conversion costs approximately 45 francs. This can represent a significant expense for some, even if the authorities highlight the long-term benefits of a more modern and secure system.

Disparities across the country

You should also know that certain cantons, such as Zurich et Saint-Gallare considering granting a period of tolerance, allowing drivers to have a few months to adapt before risking fines. However, it is likely that this flexibility will be temporary, as the objective remains national harmonization. Last year, the Swiss authorities actively encouraged the change of licenses by launching several information campaigns. In the canton of Vaud, no less than 40,000 “old blue” permits were exchanged in 2022, according to an estimate relayed by 20 Minutes. This situation in Switzerland is reminiscent of that in France, where the three-fold cardboard driving license also has an expiry date set at 2033. By this date, all French drivers must have switched to the card format license, which is now accessible to those who wish to anticipate this change.

In France, the conversion procedures are carried out via the National Agency for Secure Titles (ANTS), an organization which also allows you to order a digital version of the permit to simplify checks. The digitalization of the driving license is another significant development for drivers, in Switzerland as well as here. By using secure applications such as FranceConnect, motorists can now access a digital version of their license on their smartphone.