SwissCommunity At the epicentre of Swiss politics – young people from the “Fifth Switzerland” sitting in the National Council chamber. Photo: Jugenddienst Swiss politics – an easy navigation guide We aim to bring the latest issues in Swiss politics closer to home through a new series of easy-to-understand webinars geared to Swiss Abroad of all ages. The issues at stake in federal votes sometimes seem quite complex. In partnership with easyvote, we are running a new series of webinars that explain everything you need to know in a simple, straightforward, neutral manner. The aim of these webinars is to make Swiss politics easier to understand for everyone, regardless of age or existing political knowledge. revue.link/easyd How to avoid an unexpected problem with your driving licence when you return to Switzerland Question: I am 75 years old and have been living in Australia for many years. I still own a Swiss driving licence. When entering Switzerland recently, I received a warning saying that I had failed to comply with a request from the driver and vehicle licensing office to undergo a medical fitness-to-drive test. What’s this all about? revue.link/asa Motorists in Switzerland who reach the age of 75 must go to a doctor every two years for a medical fitness-todrive test. Photo: iStock Answer: If you own a Swiss driving licence and move abroad, you must deregister from your local cantonal driver and vehicle licensing office. Furthermore, driving licence holders in Switzerland who turn 75 must undergo a medical fitness-to-drive test. From this age, drivers have to be checked by a doctor every two years. Fail to deregister and you may be in for an unpleasant surprise. If the driver and vehicle licensing office is not notified about your residence abroad, your residential address will be deemed as unknown in Switzerland. A notice instructing you to undergo the medical test will then be published in the official cantonal gazette. If this request tered in Switzerland but still be in possession of a Swiss driving licence. And when you next enter Switzerland, you may be pulled aside by a border official – not necessarily the nicest welcome. If you are a Swiss domiciled abroad who continues to own a Swiss driving licence, you can contact the relevant driver and vehicle licensing office and request the suspension of your licence. There are normally no fees or costs associated with doing so. For the contact details of the cantonal driver and vehicle licensing offices as well as further information, visit revue.link/asa (website shown in German, French and Italian). You will normally be obliged in your new country of residence to swap your Swiss driving licence for a local driving licence within a specific time frame. An International Driving Permit (IDP) will also lose its validity and needs to be renewed after a certain period of time. The time limit within which you must renew your IDP will vary depending on the country you are in (e.g. within one year of arrival). If you fail to renew your IDP in time, you may have to take your driving test again in your new country of residence after doing the full complement of theory and driving lessons. For authoritative information on time limits and on how to swap your driving licence, you should always contact the responsible authority in your country of residence. STEPHANIE LEBER, OSA LEGAL DEPARTMENT remains unanswered and no all-clear from the doctor has been provided in time, the driver and vehicle licensing office will order the withdrawal of your driving licence. A notice to this effect will subsequently appear in the cantonal gazette, and a relevant alert will be issued in the federal government’s computerised police search system, RIPOL. This is because you will no longer be regisEasyvote was originally geared to 18 to 25 year olds, but its accessible educational approach allows everyone to familiarise themselves with current issues without wading through complicated terminology or party-political arguments. This makes our webinars suitable for everyone, regardless of age. Would you like to learn more? Do you have questions about the upcoming federal votes? We and our friends at easyvote will provide you with reliable, unbiased information. Participation in the webinars is free of charge and available via a direct link on our website: revue.link/voting. In just a few clicks, you can access the webinar as well as relevant information on the latest voting proposals. Don’t miss this chance – visit us online on 14 May, 27 August and 29 October 2024. MARIE BLOCH, YOUTH SERVICE 30 Swiss Review / May 2024 / No.3
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