General Information
Importing vs. Buying a Car
Green Plates
Vehicle Registration (Carte Gris)
Insurance
Accident Form with instructions in English
Driver’s License
Important Information:
crossing the border - fuel - parking - repairs - Swiss highway sticker - speed limits - toll roads in France - traffic rules and tips
Renting and Leasing
Bike Rentals
Carpooling - NEW
Flights
Public Transportation - France
Public Transportation - Switzerland
Maps

Importing

The CERN Installation Service site contains information on importing a car into France and Switzerland.
If importing from outside Europe, you should consider whether the potential repairs of your car will be worth it. Imported vehicles must pass local inspection, and changing the odometer from miles to kilometers alone is very expensive.

Buying a new car - general advice

If you decide to buy a new car here, it's advisable to check under which conditions you will be able to export/ship it back to your country of origin or the place you may go next. Of course you can always sell it before you leave. As an international civil servant employed at CERN, you may be entitled to buy a new car tax-free. Autociel specialises in buying, leasing, importing and more.

Buying a used car (occasion)

• If staying for a shorter period of time, it may be a good idea to get a used car. Cars are listed on the CERN market (login required) and on the bulletin boards outside each cafeteria, and there are many used car lots in the area due to the high rate of turnover. It's quite possible to find a reasonable car coming from a CERN employee. Autociel specialises in buying, leasing, importing and more.
• If you live in Switzerland you will find classified ads online and in newspapers. 
  GHI - newspaper and online - is a good source.
• If you live in France, have a look into ParuVendu or TopAnnonces - newspapers that you will find for free in your mail box once a week.
• Buying a car cross-border is not a good option – you may have to pay the tax twice, and changing plates is a hassle. So if you live in France, we advise that you buy a used car with French plates.

CERN staff who hold a AT, CD or FI card and live in France can apply for "green plates" - diplomatic or consular license plates. However, the application process will take several months, during which you will not be entitled to drive the car. If you leave CERN you will only be able to sell the car to another CERN staff member, unless you or the buyer pays the VAT (Value Added Tax). At that point the price may be higher than the value of the vehicle.
How to calculate the VAT: look up the value in the "Argus" magazine. Subtract 200 euro. Reduce this by 15%. This is considered to be the current value, including tax. Calculate the value, excluding tax (at 19.6%).
An example - for a car worth 11,000 euro the caluculation would be: 11,000-200=10,800. 10,800/1.15=9,391. 9,391/1.196=7,852. 9,391-7,852=1,539 euro VAT.
Who is qualified to drive? Depending on your length of stay and your spouse's status, the CERN staff member may be the only one who can drive while in France because the driver of a car with green plates needs to be the holder of a special residence permit (titre de séjour spécial), so friends and family members visiting you may not drive the car.

Check details of all requirements here - CERN Green Plate procedure.

Vehicle Registration (Carte Gris)

For new vehicles, the garage where you buy a new car will take care of the formalities.
For imported and used vehicles, and lost or stolen registration cards - these links will help you sort out registration and importation procedures.

• Registration of vehicles in France
• Registration of vehicles in Switzerland
• Services des Automobiles, Geneva - this is the official site for Switzerland
  Tel: +41 22 388 30 30. All paperwork is done at this office.

France

Used vehicle registration - You should receive a part of the "carte grise" (registration document) from the previous owner with the date of the sale and the previous owners signature. With this you may drive the car for one month, during which time you have to register the car at the local administrative office (préfecture or sous-préfecture) and get a new carte grise in your name. The office for the Pays de Gex is the
Sous-Préfecture de Gex, 26 rue Charles Harent, Gex - Tel : +33 450 41 51 51.
The website (in French only) lists the documents you need to bring - click on Votre vehicle, then immatriculation : liste des documents à founir. When you get to the Sous-Préfecture you will need to take a number - be prepared to wait.

Inspection - Your car is required to pass inspection (Contrôle Technique) at regular intervals, depending on the age of the car. The easiest way to do this is to make an appointment with your repair shop - they will take your car to a special garage where the inspection will be done, and make any adjustments needed in order to pass inspection.
Or you can take it directly to a Contrôle Technique garage yourself. The procedure takes around half an hour. If repairs need to be made you will have to take it to a garage, have the repair done, then take it to the Contrôle Technique garage again to pass. When it passes they place a sticker on the windshield with the date of the next inspection.

License Plates - You will need to show your car registration (carte grise) in order to have your license plates (plaquettes) made. They can be made in a repair shop like Feu Vert in Ferney-Voltaire or Point S in St. Genis-Pouilly (ZA de l'Allondon), or shops where they make keys. They cost approximately 20€.

Car Insurance

You must carry proof of coverage in your car to drive legally in both countries. If you had a car before, bring both your previous car insurance and a letter from your insurance agent stating that you are a "good risk". Many insurance companies require this, and although it can be faxed it delays things several days.

Online Accident Form in English

France
For best service make appointments to meet with car insurance companies. The MMA office in St. Genis-Pouilly near the post office is a good choice, and there is one English speaker available to assist you. We've heard best rates are also available at Pacifica from the Credit Agricole bank at the Prevessin site. You may also want to get quotes from MAIF in Annemasse and MAAF in Ferney-Voltaire.

Switzerland
If you have paid a full year’s auto assurance on 1 January, you cannot switch to another company with the same car until next January, and you must give 3 months advance notice of cancellation.

Touring Club Swiss (TCS) offers travel insurance that includes repatriation of cars, emerency medical repatriation and trip cancellation.

Drivers License

In Switzerland
Each canton has an office where you may obtain a drivers licence called the Services des Automobiles . In Geneva it is located at Route de Veyrier 88, Carouge. For the list of documents to take with you click on Echange d'un permis de conduire étranger.

In France
Non-EU citizens have 1 year to exchange or retake your driving license. Depending on your host state you may exchange your licence of take an exam. For Americans, each State has it's own agreement - check with the Sous-Préfecture for your State's requirement.
Get the downloadable form (in French), with instructions and the list of documents in English.

This website has a driving study guide - in English.

Crossing the border

Get a “nothing to declare” tag (free) at the Swiss customs office (douane). At the French douane, fill out a form – they will give you a stamp with a bugle on it. Place the stamp on the green tag from the Swiss douane. It allows you to use the right “nothing to declare” lane. But still slow down when passing!

Fuel

Diesel (gazoil) is cheaper in France, and gasoline (essence) is cheaper in Switzerland. There are two stations directly across from CERN. In Switzerland stations take cash, debit and credit cards. In France just locating them can be difficult so we recommend not letting your tank get too low - especially at night - as stations close early.

The stations near supermarkets are operated by staff at the stores so sometimes close at random times when someone needs to take a break or change shifts. Most automated gas stations only take French debit cards (carte bleu). We recommend getting a French credit card too, especially if you are here for more than 2 years, just so you can use them at the gas stations after hours. Here is a list of most of them in the area:

• Ferney-Voltaire: near Feu Vert, staffed during the day
• Ferney-Voltaire: Total gas station near the Douane, staffed during the day and has a mini-market
• Ferney-Voltaire: Total gas station near Leclerc supermarket/ Mategnin douane
• Gex: Champion near the Verte Campagne center, takes debit cards
• Segny: Carrefour supermarket
• St. Genis-Pouilly: near the Champion supermarket
• St. Genis-Pouilly: Allondon area, near Samse
• St. Genis-Pouilly: Allondon area, near the Intermarché supermarket, carte bleu only
• Val Thoiry: Migrol fully automated, takes cash and credit cards

When parking in Geneva, you will find two kinds of parking meters: one - you type in your vehicle license plate number, pay (no change is given), and the machine prints a ticket that you place on the front dash; and the other - you pay for the space number painted on the sidewalk/street. In parking spaces painted blue (blue zones) you will need to set your time of arrival on a disc and place it on the front dash facing out. Facing in is illegal - you may get a ticket. This gives you 90 minutes of free parking. You can buy blue discs at kiosks, gas stations and banks.

Valet parking at the Airport - for 12chf per day
Parking Friend is a valet parking service that offers cheaper daily parking rates than the Geneva airport parking garage. They will also hand wash your car, change tires, and pick you up from your home. Tel: +41 22 341 0801 - visit their website - or send them an email.

Repairs

Carosserie Grossiord: 155 rte Nant, Prevessin Moens - Tel: +33 450 40 80 66

Carrosserie Greny: 573, route de la Plaine, Peron France

Garage Central - Has moved to Gex! Their new address is:
ZA de l'Aiglette Sud, 274 Rue des Transporteurs, Gex.  Tel: +33 450 41 21 36
The owner speaks English and provides excellent consultation, pricing and service. Great location to pick up your summer and winter tires as well.

Other garages in France: The PointS in St. Genis and Feu Vert in Ferney-Voltaire offer the lowest rates. Feu Vert doesn't make appointments - PointS does. You must present your car registration (carte grise) before they will begin.

Stone martens: If you have trouble starting your car one morning look under the hood. Stone martens - small, rat-sized varmints - like to chew on cables and belts. So if you park your car(s) outside, we have heard that if you put moth balls, perfume or something that smells of humans under the hood, this will help keep them away. Damage is not covered by your insurance in France.

Swiss Vignette

Swiss highways do not have toll roads. Instead you must buy a sticker (vignette) annually in order to drive legally on Swiss highways. They cost 40 CHF, and are available at the beginning of December each year at Swiss post offices, gas station kiosks, and the customs offices. They are valid until end of January of the following year. Instructions are included on where to place the vignette on the windshield.

• Motorways: 120 km/h
• Main roads outside urban areas: 80 km/h
• Urban areas: 50 or 60 km/h
• Residential zones: 30 km/h

Speed limits in France

• Motorways: 130 km/h
• Main roads outside urban areas: 90 km/h
• Urban areas: 50 km/h
• Residential zones: 30 km/h

Toll Roads in France - and other European countries

French Highways (autoroutes) have toll booths. There are different lanes - most where you can use a credit card, some with people you can pay, and a few where you can toss coins in a basket (but these are disappearing). Some tolls booths may not be manned at any time, so it's best to carry change and a credit card with you at all times.

Traffic rules and tips - France

• Border guards can/will ask for your ID card, so always carry your passport with you.
• Priority rule - In France, Switzerland, and much of Europe, cars entering on the right have right of way, unless they have a stop or yield sign except at traffic cirlces.
• Traffic Circles - Cars in a traffic circle have right of way, so watch for their signalling: Signal left when entering a traffic circle, and right when you are going to leave it at the next exit.
• If you have a French driver's license, check your “driving points". Every time you get a driving ticket, you accumulate points which depend on the severity of the infraction. If you accumulate too many points you will lose your license. Interieur (in French) tells you where you stand vis-à-vis the cut-off point. To use this site you need a security code.
• Beware of drivers following too closely (tailgating), speeding and driving over the center line on your side of the road, especially on narrow streets.
• More information can be found on the Quick Guide page.

Renting a car is usually expensive. For longer term rentals you may consider a short-term lease. Prices are more reasonable when renting more than 17 days and under 6 months.

• Entire Car Rental - Shop online to get the best deals available from major car rental providers at the Geneva Airport and around the world. Includes insurance and airport tax.
• Europcar, Balexert Shopping Center, Geneva. Opening hours: 7h30 - 23h00
  Phone : +41 22 717 8596 - Fax : +41 22 717 8597
  
• Car Go! in Gex +33 450 41 54 24 Prices begin at just 19 euro per day
• Leman Location, Rue du Mont Rond, Espace de l’Allondon, St. Genis-Pouilly
  (near Jim's British Market) + 33 450 42 34 85
• Opel - the dealership in St. Jean-de-Gonville gives good rates Tel: +33 450 56 37 34
• Patrick Location SA rents cars as low as 15CHF per day. Tel: +41 848 000 849
• Peugeot Open Europe, pick up and drop off rental cars at the French Sector at the airport., in Ferney-Voltaire. Call to reserve: Tel. in Switzerland +41 22 717 82 75 - Tel. in France : +33 450 40 94 70- Mobile in France: +33 608 70 89 75 .
• Renault USA - easy to use website, with pick up at Geneva Airport
  

Bike Rentals

• Bikeswitzerland - specializes in high quality bike rentals, organizes guided or a la carte bike tours around Switzerland and the Gran Canaria Island, sells bike accessories and clothing, and runs a bike club for free. Ride around the area for three hours several times a week and on weekends. Check their websites for a detailed list of their services. Store is at rue des Grottes 22, Geneva.
• Publi Bike rents at 100 locations in Switzerland.
• SBB Rail/PostBus rents bikes at train stations all over Switzerland, and for a small fee you can take your bike on a train.

Carpooling
Green Monkeys makes it easy: the company manages all aspects of ride-sharing for daily commuters in the Geneva area and neighboring France. Register on their website (no charge), enter your itinerary and time and Green Monkeys finds the ridesharer(s). Costs are fixed by kilometres. The service is also available for long distance trips in Switzerland and France. Website is in English. 

Taxis - ask at your Mairie for taxis that operate from your town

Bus
There is limited bus service in the Pays de Gex. You can buy tickets on the bus in Thoiry, St. Genis, Gex and Ferney-Voltaire. The Y bus (from Thoiry) has fare boxes on the bus, but you need to use exact change.
If you ride the bus a lot you'll want to buy cross-border tickets at tabacs and Tourist Info Offices in France, or at the Gare Cornavin in Geneva.

Trains
You can buy tickets online at at Voyages-SNCF. The TGV is the fast train in France. Top speed: 300 km/hour.
You can board the TGV in Geneva at Gare Cornavin, or in Bellegarde, France. The Bellegarde train station was renovated at the beginning of June 2010, and now has a large, secure paid parking lot so cars are safe(r). It is about 20 minutes from Thoiry. The ticket and parking costs less, saves the hassle of going to Geneva, and also saves on the time you spend on the train.

You can buy tickets in advance at a SNCF offices - in St. Genis (at rue de Geneve/ave de la Republique), in Gex (les Tetras), or in Geneva at Rail Europe Suisse Sarl, 11Rue de Lausanne, across the street from the Cornavin train station. And you can buy tickets on the train if it's not full but you pay full price.

The easiest and least expensive way to get tickets is to buy them online. Print the internet receipt and take it with you to the train station in Bellegarde, the SNCF offices in Gex or St. Genis, or the SNCF office in Geneva (Rail Europe Suisse Sarl, 11Rue de Lausanne) as proof of payment. They will issue a "real" ticket. If you don't have the ticket you will pay full price - as if you boarded without a ticket.

Bus and Tram
Check the Transport Public Genève (TPG) site for Geneva Canton bus & tram schedule and ticket information.

• Some advice...
  You can buy tickets at ticket machines at each bus/tram stop, at the CERN store near restaurant 1, and at the main train station in Geneva: Gare Cornavin. There are many types of tickets - some examples:
  3 stops in one Zone, 60 minutes, full day. For under age 16, and adults who buy an Abonnement tickets are half price. Children under 6 ride for free. There are family tickets, and much more. Click on Titres des Transport on the TPG link above to see what is available (in French only).
• 60 minute tickets - as long as you board a bus or tram before your ticket runs out you're ok. If asked by an inspector you will have to tell him where you last got on. He will calculate the travel time, so be careful not to exceed the time - you could be fined.
• Use exact change - machines do not return money - or buy a Unireso card at a tabac/presse or at the main station Cornavin. It works like a debit card, so you won't have to deal with coins. If you are using the bus a lot consider getting an “all day”, 10 rides or monthly ticket. You need to stamp the 10 rides ticket on the bus when you enter.
• Fines are 40CHF. Inspectors board at random times at places all over Geneva and at the French douanes, so if you for example, don't have a ticket, buy the wrong one, forget to stamp your 10-pass ticket, or if your ticket runs out of time, you run the risk of paying a fine. If a machine is not working, tell the bus driver when you get on (la machine ne marche pas) – he will vouch for you if the bus is boarded by inspectors. Yes - inspectors - one boards at the front and one at the back so you cannot escape!
• Boats (mouettes) cross the lake at 3 locations in Geneva in the summer. It's a great short-cut - saves walking all the way around the Jardin Anglais.

Trains

The Swiss train system is called SBB - CFF - FFS. To get to smaller villages you may have to get off the train. This will be indicated before you buy your ticket. You will transfer to a yellow PostBus which will take you to your final destination.

• The Swiss Travel System is an easy to use site. Check out the Ticket Shop to find the best type of ticket or travel pass for you. Some examples - if you travel more than 3 times in one year it's worth it to buy a half-price ticket (demi-tariff abonnement). With this you will only pay half price on most trains, boats and buses all over Switzerland. They also have a Family Card - kids under 16 travel free with parents. Read through all the options to find what works best for you.
• The SBB - CFF - FFS site also lists train schedules online with the addition of international travel information which can help you with seat assignments, reservation fees and requirements, as all countries have their own rules and systems..

EasyJet and Ryan Air have connections all over Europe, and are the least expensive way to fly if you book well in advance. Swiss International Air Lines also offers cheap flights around Europe and is far more customer oriented.

• Checking in the day before - Some airlines allow you to get your boarding passes and leave your luggage the day before departure. You can find this information on the Geneva International Airport website.
• Find all airlines operating at Geneva Airport .
• Flights - Check flight departure and arrival times, weather advisories, and more for airports around the world.
• Car Park - Geneva Airport has long-term, short-term and Valet parking. Parking for drop off and pick up is free for the first 10 minutes (except Valet). The arrivals pick up zone has moved down to level 1. Get all the latest on rates, parking structures here.
• Valet parking at the Airport - for 12chf per day with Parking Friend. This valet parking service offers cheaper daily parking rates than the Geneva airport parking garage. They will also hand wash your car, change tires, and pick you up from your home. Tel: +41 22 341 0801 - visit their website - or send them an email.

Via Michelin is the French version of Mapquest. Michelin books are a good guide when traveling anywhere, especially the Green Guides. In addition to having maps they contain high quality information on where to eat and stay, and what to see on the way.
Google maps is excellent not only for maps but for finding restaurants, gas stations and much more.
Be prepared to get lost – and then be prepared to enjoy it! In the Pay de Gex use the (north) and Mt. Blanc (south) to navigate.

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