Good to know
Periodic car inspection
Depending on the age and the make of your car, the Motor Vehicles Dept. requires an inspection every one to four years. To save time and trouble, have your car checked and brought up to standard by a garage before the inspection appointment.
ACS/TCS breakdown service
If you are a member, then the Automobile Club of Switzerland and the Touring Club of Switzerland are always there for you in case of a breakdown.
- ACS Sektion Zürich, Forchstr. 95, T 044 387 75 00
- TCS, Touring Club Schweiz, Uraniastr. 14, T 044 286 86 86
Number plates
Number plates are issued to the owner (not the car), and by the individual canton. When buying a new car, the plates must be removed and put on the new car. If you move to another canton, you have 14 days to exchange the plates for new ones at the Motor Vehicles Dept. of your new canton. If you own two cars but only use one at a time, you can apply for a removable number plate that you can swap between vehicles, and thus save on insurance and registration fees.
PS: Note people’s unusual preference for licence plates with a low number or an interesting combination that makes their car stand out. Licence plates with special numbers can be purchased for a higher price at a motor vehicle registration office. From time to time, an auction of the most exceptional number plates takes place. They usually sell for several thousands of francs. In Switzerland, licence plates are assigned for a lifetime and belong to the driver and not to the car, unless you relocate to another canton.