Vehicle and Driving Licence Address Change

After a move, a change of address for your vehicle and driving licence must be reported to the cantonal vehicle office (the service des automobiles) of the canton where you now live, within 14 days. If you change canton, your number plates and vehicle registration document are replaced. If you are arriving from abroad, further steps apply: registering the vehicle in Switzerland and exchanging your foreign driving licence.

What to report after a move

Two documents carry your address and must be kept up to date: the vehicle registration document and the driving licence. This notification does not replace the one made to the commune: they are two separate procedures, handled by different offices.

Each cantonal office has its own website, forms and opening hours. Depending on the canton, some procedures can be done online, others at the counter or by post: check directly with the office of your canton of residence.

Moving within the same canton

If you stay in the same canton, your number plates do not change. You simply need to have the new address recorded.

1. Move and report your departure. Notify the old commune of your departure and the new one of your arrival, within the deadline set by the canton. In many communes, eMoving (eUmzugCH) lets you do this online. Our guide to registering with the commune covers this step in detail.
2. Inform the cantonal vehicle office. Give your new address within 14 days, following your canton’s instructions.
3. Have your documents updated. Depending on the office’s procedure, you receive a corrected registration document or driving licence, or a confirmation of the change.
4. Keep your documents up to date in the vehicle. Until the address is corrected, a police check could flag an incorrect entry.

Always tell the office about every document concerned: vehicle, driving licence, and any other vehicles registered in your name.

Moving to another canton

Changing canton is the situation that requires the most steps. Number plates belong to the canton: when you settle in another canton, you receive that canton’s plates, and the registration document is replaced.

• Report the change within 14 days to the vehicle office of your new canton of residence.
• Return the old plates following the instructions of the former canton’s office, then have the new ones fitted.
• Have the new registration document issued. It replaces the old one.
• Inform your insurer. A new third-party liability insurance certificate for the vehicle is generally required for registration. Contact your insurer before the procedure so that you get it in time.
• Update your driving licence with the new address, following the office’s procedure.

Depending on the canton, an appointment may be necessary and the documents required vary: check the office’s website before going, so you do not make the trip for nothing. If you are planning to move soon, take the time to read the instructions of the destination canton well before moving day.

Arriving from abroad with your vehicle and licence

For people settling in Switzerland, two rules apply, with specific deadlines.

• The vehicle must be registered in Switzerland no later than one year after you take up residence. Registration first requires customs clearance of the vehicle and, where applicable, a technical inspection. Our guide to customs clearance when moving to Switzerland explains how to prepare this part.
• The foreign driving licence must be exchanged for a Swiss licence within twelve months. The conditions of the exchange may depend on the country that issued the licence: the cantonal vehicle office tells you which documents to provide.

Do not wait until these deadlines run out: customs clearance, technical inspection and appointments can take time. For the whole project, a dedicated page presents international moving, from transporting your belongings to the formalities.

Other things not to forget

Changing the address of your vehicle does not end at the vehicle office. Also think about:

• Third-party liability insurance for the vehicle: tell your insurer your new address and ask for a certificate if registration requires one.
• The motorway vignette: it is tied to the vehicle, not to the address. Just check that it is still valid and visible, especially if you change vehicle or plates.
• Parking spaces and parking permits: each commune sets its own rules. Ask the new commune about a resident permit or a parking space, and about cancelling your old space.
• Moving day: occupying the public highway with a truck, a furniture lift or a skip may require prior authorisation from the commune or the police. Finding out a few days or weeks beforehand avoids unpleasant surprises.

For an overview of all the addresses to correct (bank, insurance, employer, subscriptions), the guide to changing your address in Switzerland can serve as a checklist.

In French-speaking Switzerland: what varies by canton or location

The six cantons of French-speaking Switzerland (Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Jura) follow the same general framework, but each has its own vehicle office, forms, opening hours, appointment arrangements and online tools. The deadlines for reporting to the commune are also set by the canton: check them with the commune or canton concerned.

City or mountains mainly changes the parking logistics. In Lausanne or Geneva, parking is often regulated: a resident permit and a parking space are requested from the commune, and occupying the public highway on moving day is worth planning ahead. In a small town such as Delémont, the parking procedures are different, but the report to the cantonal vehicle service remains the same.

In mountain resorts, access can be narrow or seasonal, which affects the planning of the truck and parking. For anyone who works or lives near the border, a foreign-registered vehicle falls under the customs clearance and registration rules described above: it is best to deal with it as soon as you settle in Switzerland.

Doing it yourself or getting help

The administrative procedures for the vehicle and licence can be done on your own without particular difficulty: a form, a few supporting documents and some attention to deadlines are enough. It is an office task that needs no professional.

The move itself is another matter. If you have many boxes, heavy furniture, a high floor or a vehicle to deal with at the same time, professional movers save you time and avoid unpleasant surprises. This site passes your request on to removal companies in the region, who provide a free, no-obligation quote. You describe your project only once: to find out more about moving for individuals, see the page on residential moving, or request a quote.

Frequently asked questions