Exchanging driver’s license: Many Ukrainians now have to register for a check ride

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When Ukrainians get into their car from Saturday, they will have to have an S-ID card in their wallet in addition to their driver’s license. Ukrainians must exchange their Ukrainian driving license for a Swiss copy no later than two years after entering the country. With the new rule, the police should be able to determine during a traffic stop whether the 24-month period is still running. In order to exchange their driver’s license, Ukrainians must pass an inspection.

Because the trade-in is mandatory for anyone who wants to drive a car. The rule does not only apply to Ukrainians. Anyone moving to Switzerland from abroad must change their foreign driving license if they want to get into the car. Depending on the country, an inspection trip may or may not be necessary.

In Bern only 353 driving licenses

But so far not many identity cards of Ukrainians have been exchanged, as shown by an example in some cantons. To date, 353 driving licenses have been exchanged in the canton of Bern. Although the Road Traffic Administration does not have figures on how many Ukrainians in the canton have a driver’s license, the number seems low just based on the 4,791 people between the ages of 18 and 64 living in the canton with an S permit at the end of January.

So far, 39 inspection trips have been carried out in the Canton of Thurgau, involving approximately 1,500 Ukrainians between the ages of 18 and 64. Last year the pass rate was 84.6 percent. “Currently, one or two new applications are received every day,” says a spokesperson. In the Canton of Schwyz there were only 26 inspection trips, of which they would have passed 21 – at the end of January 2024, 665 Ukrainians between the ages of 18 and 64 lived in the canton. “Compared to last year, the trend in the number of applications is clearly increasing.” The cantons of Aargau and Lucerne do not keep statistics, and the canton of Zurich did not respond to a corresponding request.

Fines threatened

Now the two-year period is being checked. If you do not have your S-ID card with you, the police can make clarifications at the migration office. “If it turns out that the period for re-registration of the foreign driver’s license has been exceeded, one should expect a report,” says the canton of Aargau. “There is a risk of a fine of up to 60 daily rates and a fine of at least 500 francs.” However, Ukrainians who do not drive have nothing to worry about. As long as these people do not drive a vehicle in Switzerland, they do not necessarily have to exchange their driving license if they do not use it in this country.

Source:Blick