How to register your car in Switzerland

Car registration sounds like a bureaucratic maze. It isn't. Ok, maybe a little bit. But don't worry, we've got your back. Gowago, your insurer and your cantonal road traffic office do this every day — everyone involved already knows what information is needed, where it goes, and when.

You don't need to understand the whole system. You need two documents and the right timing. We'll tell you when it's your turn to act.

In a nutshell: before you can take over your new car, it has to be registered in your name at your cantonal road traffic office. For that you need the original vehicle document (we send it to you) and electronic proof of insurance (your insurer sends it directly to the office). The visit itself takes about five minutes if there is no line. The preparation is what matters.

Let's go.

Step 1: Which insurance do you need?

Comprehensive insurance — full casco — is mandatory for your lease.

Your insurer needs the car's details to prepare an offer: the Stammnummer and the vehicle identification number (VIN). If you chose your car on gowago.ch, we send you both as soon as we have them.

Then you compare offers and choose. You don't need to register the car yet.

One thing to watch out for: an insurance offer or signed policy is not the electronic proof of insurance required for registration.

Once your handover date is confirmed, your insurer sends this confirmation directly to the road traffic office. You normally won't receive a copy, so simply ask your insurer to confirm that it has been sent.

And if your insurer wants more detail about the car or the lease than you have on hand, tell us. Our delivery specialists will speak to them directly. One less thing for you to coordinate.

Step 2: Where do you get the original vehicle document?

You cannot register the car without the original vehicle document.

For a used car, this is normally the previous Fahrzeugausweis. For a new car, it is usually the original inspection report, Form 13.20A.

If you chose your car on gowago.ch, we'll arrange for the document to be sent to you.

We'll let you know when it's on its way. When Gowago sends it directly, it normally arrives within three working days after dispatch.

Step 3: When should you register the car?

Then — and this is the part people sometimes get wrong — wait.

Registering the car activates your insurance cover, and with it your premium. Register a week before handover and you pay a week of insurance on a car that isn't with you yet.

Once your handover date is confirmed:

1. Finalise your insurance and agree the start date
2. Your insurer sends the electronic proof of insurance to the road traffic office
3. You register the car shortly before handover

Step 4: Register your car

Where: your cantonal road traffic office. Strassenverkehrsamt (STVA) in German, Office cantonal des véhicules (OCV / OCN) in French.

First question: which number plates are you using?

Whichever plates you're using, bring:

• The original vehicle document for your new car
• A valid ID card, passport or residence permit
• Your canton's registration form, if it needs one

Transferring plates from your old car? Add the Fahrzeugausweis for that car, if it's still registered to those plates. That is the only difference between the two routes.

Keeping your existing plates? You'll walk out with a new Fahrzeugausweis for your new car, linked to your existing plates. In some cantons you're allowed to keep driving until the end of the day after you've deregistered the old car — worth asking your office whether that applies to you.

Need new plates? You'll walk out with new plates and a new Fahrzeugausweis.

Your plate situation is different

Talk to your road traffic office or your Gowago advisor before you go if:

• Your plates are deposited with the road traffic office
• You want to use plates currently registered to someone else — a partner, a family member
• You want interchangeable plates for two cars. This only works if both cars are with the same insurer, and you can only drive one at a time. Not one of you in each.

The required documents differ in these cases, and the office will tell you exactly which ones.

Which cantons need a form?

Vaud, Valais and Geneva ask you to fill in a registration form before you come. You'll find them here:

Vaud form · Valais form · Geneva form

For the standard registration options described above, that's all you need.

Before you leave the house

Any open bills with the road traffic office?

If you owe them money, they freeze anything involving your name until it's settled — and they'll only tell you once you're standing at the counter. A two-minute check saves you a wasted trip and a delayed car.

Moved recently?

The office checks your name against the population register (Einwohnerkontrolle / contrôle des habitants). If your move isn't registered yet, the office in your new canton doesn't know you live there. If you're mid-move, tell your delivery specialist — we'll help you time it.

Your car registration checklist

• Handover date confirmed
• Original vehicle document in hand
• Insurer has sent the electronic proof of insurance
• Valid ID
• Cantonal form filled in, if yours needs one
• Fahrzeugausweis for your current car, if you're transferring its plates
• Address up to date with your municipality
• No open bills with the road traffic office

Eight lines. Five minutes at the counter.

That's it

The office issues your new Fahrzeugausweis, sorts out your plates, and your car is registered in your name.

Still looking for your next car? Anything unclear before you go? Message or call us — we'd much rather answer a question today than have you make the trip twice.