VEHICLES LICENSED IN SWITZERLAND

1. Vehicle licensing

a) Time limits

Vehicles must have a Swiss registration document and Swiss number plates:

- if the owner has been residing in Switzerland for more than one year without a break of more than three consecutive months and has been using it for more than one month on Swiss territory, or

- if the vehicle itself has been on Swiss territory for more than one year without a break of more than three consecutive months.

Vehicles belonging to non-Swiss members of the personnel who hold a carte de légitimation issued by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter referred to as 'DFAE') and who were not permanently resident in Switzerland before taking up their appointment may be licensed in Switzerland with virtually no restrictions provided that their owner produces:

- the vehicle registration document and number plates of the country in which the car was previously registered, or

- a manufacturer's certificate containing all the technical information needed for licensing purposes.

Before Swiss number plates and a Swiss registration document can be issued, the vehicle must first be tested for roadworthiness and safety.

The fact that a vehicle has been licensed in this way is shown on the licence. Unless it is brought into compliance with Swiss standards, it may be sold only to persons who enjoy the same vehicle licensing privileges.

Members of the personnel holding a B or C-type carte de légitimation issued by the DFAE must license all their vehicles on diplomatic (CD) plates.

Vehicle licensing formalities must be completed with the relevant road traffic authority in the owner's canton of residence (for Geneva call (022) 343.02.00, for Vaud call (021) 316.82.10).

The family members of a member of the personnel who hold a B, C, D or E-Type carte de légitimation issued by the DFAE or a Ci permit are not entitled to license a vehicle in Switzerland in their own name. Only family members of Swiss nationality or who hold an ordinary Swiss permit (such as a B or C permit) are entitled to do so.

Holders of a B, C, D or E-type carte de légitimation issued by the DFAE are exempted from periodic technical inspections and anti-pollution tests.

Furthermore, holders of a B, C or D-type carte de légitimation are not required to pay road tax.

Members of the personnel holding a B or C-type carte de légitimation issued by the DFAE may import or purchase a vehicle free of customs duty once every three years. Such vehicles are acquired under a limited restrictions agreement and thus may not be sold or otherwise transferred to another person in Switzerland until three years have elapsed unless the relevant taxes and duty have been paid; at the end of this period, the beneficiary of this privilege is no longer subject to these restrictions and the vehicle may be sold in Switzerland without payment of taxes or duty.

The above-mentioned members of the personnel may also acquire a second vehicle free of customs duty. This second vehicle, under an unlimited restrictions agreement, may not be sold or otherwise transferred to another person in Switzerland unless the relevant taxes and duty have been paid. However, once the limited restrictions agreement no longer applies to the first vehicle, it may be transferred to the second vehicle under the unlimited restrictions agreement, which may then be sold after three years without payment of taxes or duty.

Members of the personnel holding a D or E-type carte de légitimation issued by the DFAE are entitled to import or purchase a vehicle free of customs duty only once. This right must be exercised:

- within three years of moving to Switzerland for the first time or within three years of returning to Switzerland after a minimum absence of three years, and

- within five years of taking up employment.

Such vehicles, under a limited restrictions agreement, may not be sold or otherwise transferred to another person in Switzerland until three years have elapsed, unless the relevant taxes and duty have been paid; at the end of this period, the beneficiary of this privilege is no longer subject to these restrictions and the vehicle may be sold in Switzerland without payment of taxes and duty.

Members of the personnel holding a document other than one of those referred to in paragraphs 3 a) and b) above (for example, an attestation de fonctions issued by the DFAE) are not entitled to any customs privileges relating to the importation or purchase of a vehicle.

As a general rule, only holders of a B or C-type carte de légitimation issued by the DFAE are entitled to drive vehicles bearing Swiss diplomatic number plates.

However, persons who have obtained a Ci permit in exchange for their B or C-type carte de légitimation are also entitled to drive a vehicle bearing Swiss diplomatic number plates. The Ci permit for foreigners bears a sticker indicating that the holder enjoys diplomatic status.

However, persons who do not have diplomatic status, such as Swiss citizens and holders of a D or C-type carte de légitimation issued by the DFAE, are not entitled to drive such vehicles.

It should be pointed out that the Swiss authorities do not make any exceptions to this rule and that law may punish any violation.