I need urgent advice! I was in Paris this week, inspite of all the caution my wallet with my US drivers license as well as all my money, credit cards etc was stolen in the metro rail. I files a complain with the local police who gave me a declaration form to send to the US embassy. However the US embassy in Paris did not allow me to get a photocopy of my license attested.
I have a Hertz rental car and have all the reservations for hotels etc to drive into Switzerland on Sunday, May 8th...will I be okay at border check, in Switzerland driving with my passport, photocopy of my US drivers license as well as the French declaration from police of stolen license, wallet? Can I drive? I will be driving from Frankfurt to Switzerland on May 8th? Any suggestion? My parents are visiting from India to see Europe and the pick pockets have upset my trip and itinerary (fortunately I do have some cash and have prepaid for some places). If I do not go my only other option is to cancel my trip:( Any thoughts suggestions?
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
The first thing I would do would be to call Hertz and make sure you'll be able to pick up the rental car without your actual license. There won't be any border check between Germany & Switzerland, but if you're going to drive on the Swiss autobahn your car will have to have a permit (called a "vignette"). You can buy it at any gas station or post office or at the border crossing. It costs about $25-$30. Since you can prove that your license was just stolen and you have a photocopy of it, I think you'll be fine. You HAVE a valid license, you just don't have it with you - for obvious reasons. (Of course my opinion is totally unofficial.) By the way, kudos to you for having a photocopy of your drivers license.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
You don't HAVE to have a car to see Europe. Trains are easy and you don't have the worries and costs of driving (speed fines, city fines, non-existent parking, petrol, accidents, getting lost). No one can predict how a border guard or police officer will react to your non-existent drivers license. But if you're on the train you won't be asked for your driver's license...just maybe your passport.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Wow...I should've taken a bunch of Swiss francs home from my last trip.
Posted by
Ballwin
833 posts
$40 USD = ~35 CHF. If you're considering the fees from an exchange place or an atm, it will make it closer to even, but the franc is 1 usd = .87 CHF.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
Do you have the car right now? When you drive into Switzerland, they will not ask to see your driver's license. They might want to see your passport. Are you still in Paris? When my husband's wallet was stolen, we returned to the metro station where it happened. It had been dumped with just the cash taken. We were soooo lucky. I'm so sorry this happened to you. It is upsetting and the Paris police can't really do anything about it. Please enjoy the rest of your trip with your parents. You'll love Switzerland and you'll be able to make lifetime memories with your parents with you.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
According to Oanda, today, 40 CHF = $46.35.
Posted by
Orlando, Florida
676 posts
As well as calling Hertz and asking if you can get the car without your actual license, ask them if they know if there will be problems at the border if for any reason, (can't think of any but you never know) the Swiss ask for it. Do you have an international license? Mention that to Hertz? Since you're renting, ask hertz if they have a car with the current toll sticker, otherwise you'll be giving them one free! Do not worry about buying the Swiss toll sticker at a gas station, just drive to the border, they'll direct you to the line to buy the toll sticker. You can use either euros or Swiss francs.
Posted by
OP
dc, dc, USA
10 posts
Thank you all for prompt inputs and advice: Paris: I tried to stop at the metro train station, at the police but it was of no use! Did not get the wallet...I did have my visiting card in there may be someone finds it and mails it...wishful thinking on my part! I am ou1!t of Paris right now and in Germany! I have the car with me from Hertz already. I drove from Paris to Germany with a photocopy drivers license and police letter of declaration. I am crossing my fingers that this will last me while driving into Switzerland. I have faxed and applied for a temporary drivers license to the MVA, MD in US and requested for faxed temporary copy of license. Hopefully, they will fax it to me by end of day today CET... surprisingly they were very responsive! Vingette: Thanks all for inputs I will get them at the gas station, Hertz does not provide it on the car.... Last question will there be ATM machines at the gas stations to convert money in CHF from Euros? Thanks!