If you’ve bought a car in Switzerland or imported one from abroad, you must register it before you’re allowed to drive it on public roads. This means registering the vehicle with the road traffic office in your canton of residence to receive a vehicle registration document and official license plates. Without this registration, driving in Switzerland is not permitted.
Why do I need to register my car?
Registration is required to ensure that your vehicle is officially listed in the Swiss vehicle registry. This allows the authorities to know who owns the car and whether it’s properly insured. During a police check, officers can immediately verify if the car is legally registered. Without registration and valid liability insurance, driving in Switzerland is not allowed. This rule protects both you and other road users – especially in case of an accident.
How does the registration process work?
To register a car in Switzerland, you must contact the road traffic office (Strassenverkehrsamt) in your canton. Depending on the vehicle type, different documents are required. Here’s an overview:
New vehicle
- Liability insurance and proof of insurance (usually sent directly from your insurer to the road traffic office)
- Technical report (Form 13.20A) – provided by the importer, customs, or your garage
- Valid ID: identity card, passport, or foreign national ID
- Proof of residence (e.g. residence confirmation or registration certificate), required when registering a car for the first time
Used vehicle
- Liability insurance and proof of insurance (usually sent directly from your insurer to the road traffic office)
- Vehicle registration document from the previous owner
- If a reinspection was done: technical report (Form 13.20B)
- Valid ID: identity card, passport, or foreign national ID
- Proof of residence (e.g. residence confirmation or registration certificate), required when registering a car for the first time
Imported vehicle
- Liability insurance and proof of insurance (usually sent directly from your insurer to the road traffic office)
- Proof of customs clearance
- Proof of previous foreign registration (e.g. foreign registration document)
- Technical report (Form 13.20A) – provided by the importer, customs, or your garage
- Valid ID: identity card, passport, or foreign national ID
- Proof of residence (e.g. residence confirmation or registration certificate), required when registering a car for the first time
Once your documents are submitted, the road traffic office checks everything. If all is in order, you’ll receive:
- Your official vehicle registration document
- Your license plates
At that point, your vehicle is officially registered, and you’re allowed to drive it in Switzerland.
How does registration work at Carvolution?
If you subscribe to a car through Carvolution, you don’t have to worry about registration at all. We take care of the entire process for you: We register the vehicle in your canton, organise the license plates, and issue the registration document in your name. You simply choose your car, pick it up (or have it delivered), and drive off.
If you have any questions, feel free to book a consultation or visit our FAQ page.
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