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Everything about owner change: Required documents, re-registration process, cantonal differences, and how to avoid mistakes.
When selling a car in Switzerland, an official owner change must be performed. The buyer registers the vehicle at their canton's road traffic office. When selling to dealers, they handle complete re-registration – you don't have to worry about anything.
Dealers handle re-registration completely. No visit to road traffic office, no forms, no waiting.
Buyer has 14 days for re-registration. Private sale: Return license plates, issue sale confirmation.
Vehicle registration document, completed sales contract, returned plates, proof of identity.
Owner change in Switzerland follows standardized procedure. Here's the exact process:
Have vehicle registration ready, prepare purchase contract (written recommended). For leasing/credit: Obtain bank clearance. MOT inspection should not be expired.
Seller returns license plates to road traffic office. You receive return confirmation (important for insurance and liability). Your liability ends from this point.
Original vehicle registration is handed to buyer. Both parties sign sales contract. Buyer receives all vehicle keys, service booklet and registration document.
Buyer has 14 days to register vehicle at their canton's road traffic office. Required: Vehicle registration, sales contract, ID/passport, residence confirmation. After registration receives new license plates.
These documents are required by you (seller) or the buyer for re-registration:
Vehicle registration (original) – must be signed by previous owner
Sales contract (written recommended) – with price, date, signatures of both parties
Proof of identity – Passport or ID of buyer
Residence confirmation – Current residence of buyer (max. 3 months old)
License plate return confirmation – Issued by road traffic office
Owner change is cantonally regulated. Important differences:
Re-registration costs CHF 30-80 depending on canton. Zurich: approx. CHF 50, Bern: approx. CHF 40, Geneva: approx. CHF 60. New license plates cost additionally CHF 60-100.
Most cantons process re-registrations immediately (same day). Some require appointment (e.g. Zurich). Others allow walk-in (e.g. Bern).
Some cantons offer online pre-registration (Zurich, Bern, Basel). Fully online re-registration not yet possible – on-site visit necessary.
Zurich, Geneva, Basel: Appointment recommended (bookable online). Aargau, Lucerne, St. Gallen: Walk-in possible. Expect waiting times during peak times (end of month).
These 4 mistakes happen most frequently during owner change:
Problem: Insurance continues, you remain liable for vehicle. Solution: Return license plates IMMEDIATELY after sale – same day. Keep confirmation.
Problem: In case of disputes, no evidence (sale price, date, condition). Solution: ALWAYS conclude written sales contract. Both parties sign. Keep copy.
Problem: Buyer can demand withdrawal or price reduction (warranty). Solution: Note all known defects in sales contract. Add 'sold as seen'.
Problem: Insurance continues, you pay premiums for sold car. Solution: Cancel insurance immediately after returning plates. Request refund.
The buyer registers the vehicle at their canton's road traffic office. The seller returns license plates and hands over vehicle registration. When selling to dealers: Dealer handles complete re-registration.
In most cantons, re-registration happens immediately (same day). You need 30-60 minutes at road traffic office. With appointment it's faster. Without appointment there may be waiting times (especially end of month).
No! Once license plates are returned, registration expires. Driving without plates is punishable (up to CHF 5,000 fine). Transport only with trailer or truck.
Buyer has 14 days. If you returned the plates, you bear no more liability. Important: Keep return confirmation! For private sales: Keep written sales contract as proof.
Not mandatory. You can also sell with expired MOT (price is lower). Dealers accept cars with expired MOT and renew themselves. For private sales valid MOT is advantageous.
Yes! When selling via autoweg, dealer handles complete re-registration. You only return plates and hand over vehicle registration. The rest is automatic – you save time and effort.
With autoweg the dealer handles complete re-registration. You don't worry about anything – fast, easy, professional.
