New car
Transferring a car in Switzerland: what do I need to be aware of?
Found a new car and want to get behind the wheel as soon as possible? Comparis explains how to change the keeper of a vehicle the right way – and save money at the same time.
28.12.2023
iStock/erdikocak
1. Transferring a car: how does a change of keeper work?
What is a change of keeper?
Change of keeper means that the owner of a vehicle changes. You might also hear “change of vehicle”, as the terms are closely related. When you change your vehicle, this always results in a change of keeper.
In practice, this means that if you have bought or leased a car, you should first transfer the vehicle registration document. Most of the time, you will receive the vehicle registration document from the previous owner when handing over the vehicle. This makes it possible to reregister at the Road Traffic Office.
Change of keeper in Switzerland: the paperwork you need
Take the following documents to the Road Traffic Office or send them by post. Sending by post saves time and is often cheaper than delivering them in person. This is because some cantons charge a processing fee at the counter.
Vehicle registration document for the new vehicle, or form 13.20A for brand new cars (available from the dealer).
By post: “temporary road permit” form. This allows you to drive the vehicle on the roads from the posting date until the new vehicle registration document arrives (max. 30 30 days). The form must be carried in the car.
Some cantons also require you to submit an additional road permit application for the vehicle. Find out more from your local Road Traffic Office.
If you are registering a car for the first time: copy of confirmation of residence, driving license and identity card/residence permit.
If you are changing vehicle: original vehicle registration document for the vehicle you are replacing.
Digital proof of insurance
Contact your car insurance company before changing vehicles. You can request digital proof of insurance there. Your insurance company will send this directly to the Road Traffic Office. Do you not yet have insurance, or are you looking to change provider? At Comparis, you can quickly and easily find the right car insurance for you.
2. Reregistering a car with a change of keeper: how much does it cost?
The cost of changing keeper or vehicle varies from canton to canton. Find out more from your local Road Traffic Office. The costs are distributed as follows:
issuing the vehicle registration document: 30-40 francs (approx.)
license plates: 20-60 francs (approx.)
Good to know: some dealers charge you a flat delivery fee. The professionals take care of changing the vehicle over or registering the new vehicle at the Road Traffic Office.
3. Changing vehicle: what happens to my insurance?
If you are a new keeper, you can take out a new insurance policy, either with your existing insurer or with a new insurer of your choice. The insurer will then issue proof of insurance for the Road Traffic Office.
Inform your insurance company that you are no longer the keeper of your old vehicle. The insurance company then terminates the insurance contract and refunds any premiums already paid on a pro rata basis.
When changing vehicle, you must always cancel your insurance in writing before you register the new car. This is made easy with the cancellation letter from Comparis.
If you buy a new vehicle, should you change your insurance at the same time?
A new car is a good opportunity for a change of insurance. Car insurance has become cheaper in Switzerland in recent years. This means that nowadays you tend to get more benefits for less money.
In addition, there are major differences in premiums between providers. You can often find an insurance policy that is cheaper than your previous one by simply shopping around.
4. Can I transfer my vehicle, including number plates, to another person?
Do you want to change the keeper of a vehicle and transfer the car and its number plates to another person or company? This is only possible in certain cases:
to close family members (parents, grandparents, children, spouse, registered partner, siblings)
to founding members within a company
from one company to another (e.g. in the case of mergers or business acquisitions)
If a car and its number plates are transferred within a family, the new vehicle keeper must take over the insurance and cannot cancel it. The following documents are required for the transfer:
original copy of the vehicle registration document
proof of insurance
surrender or transfer application form (available by post or at the counter)
Cantonal differences
The provisions for the transfer of license plates are regulated by canton. You should therefore first find out more from your local Road Traffic Office.
In some cantons, you may transfer the car numbers to anyone. These include, for example, the cantons of Bern and Thurgau.
This article was first published on 12.02.2019
