SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Traffic rules
Switzerland
1. Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked, mountainous country in Central Europe, bordered by France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy. Traffic drives on the right. Alpine geography is a defining feature of driving: major routes cross the mountains through long tunnels and high passes, while some mountain roads are steep, narrow or affected by seasonal snow. Switzerland has four national languages—German, French, Italian and Romansh—and written road information generally reflects the language of the region; bilingual place names are also used in some areas.
Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes generally need an annual motorway vignette on designated motorways and expressways, available either as a windscreen sticker or an electronic vignette; unlike many neighbouring systems, Switzerland offers no short-term vignette. Winter tyres are not compulsory under a fixed nationwide seasonal rule, but drivers must remain in control of their vehicle and can face liability if unsuitable equipment contributes to an incident. Daytime lights are compulsory, while motorway congestion brings two particularly important rules: drivers must form an emergency corridor and use zipper merging where lanes end.
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Which side of the road do you drive on in Switzerland?
Drive on the right-hand side of the road and normally overtake on the left.
What is the emergency number in Switzerland?
Call 112 for the European emergency number. Switzerland also uses 117 for police, 118 for fire and rescue, and 144 for ambulance services.
What is the alcohol limit for driving in Switzerland?
Driving is prohibited from 0.5‰ (0.5 g/l) blood alcohol. Professional drivers, probationary drivers, learner drivers, driving instructors and accompanying drivers are subject to an effectively zero-alcohol rule, with a statutory tolerance of 0.1‰.
What is the speed limit in built-up areas in Switzerland?
The general maximum speed in built-up areas is 50 km/h, unless signs establish another limit.
What is the speed limit outside built-up areas in Switzerland?
The general maximum on main and secondary roads outside built-up areas is 80 km/h, unless another limit is signed.
What is the speed limit on Swiss expressways?
The general maximum on an Autostrasse is 100 km/h, unless signs indicate a lower limit.
What is the motorway speed limit in Switzerland?
The general maximum on a Swiss motorway is 120 km/h, unless a lower limit is indicated.
Do you need a motorway vignette in Switzerland?
Yes. Cars, motorcycles, trailers, caravans, delivery vans and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes generally need a valid vignette to use designated Swiss motorways and expressways. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are subject to a separate heavy-vehicle charge instead.
Can you buy a short-term motorway vignette in Switzerland?
No. Switzerland offers only an annual vignette; there is no daily, weekly or monthly version. The 2026 vignette is valid from 1 December 2025 until 31 January 2027 and can be purchased as a sticker or an electronic vignette.
Must you use daytime running lights in Switzerland?
Yes. Motor vehicles must normally use daytime running lights or dipped headlights during the day. Dipped headlights are required instead when visibility is poor and in tunnels.
Are winter tyres mandatory in Switzerland?
No. Switzerland has no general nationwide legal requirement or fixed winter-tyre season. However, drivers must always remain in control of their vehicle, and liability or insurance consequences can arise if unsuitable tyres contribute to an accident or obstruction.
When are snow chains compulsory in Switzerland?
Where the compulsory snow-chain traffic sign applies, vehicles must use snow chains or an authorised equivalent as required by the sign. Drivers heading into Alpine areas should check current conditions because requirements can change with snow and ice.
Are seat belts compulsory in Switzerland?
Yes. Drivers and passengers must normally use the seat belts provided, subject to limited statutory exemptions.
When must children use a child restraint in Switzerland?
Children under 12 years old and shorter than 150 cm must use an appropriate approved child-restraint system. Children over 150 cm or aged 12 and above use the normal seat belt.
Can a rear-facing child seat be used in the front seat in Switzerland?
Yes, but a rear-facing child restraint may be used in front only when the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
Are motorcycle helmets compulsory in Switzerland?
Yes. Motorcycle and moped riders and passengers covered by the rule must normally wear an approved protective helmet, subject to limited vehicle-specific exceptions.
Can you use a mobile phone while driving in Switzerland?
A driver must remain fully attentive and in control of the vehicle and must not hold or operate a phone in a way that interferes with driving. Hands-free use does not remove the obligation to avoid distraction.
Does priority from the right apply in Switzerland?
Yes. At an intersection where priority is not otherwise regulated, drivers must normally give way to traffic approaching from the right.
Who has priority at a roundabout in Switzerland?
A driver entering a signed roundabout must give way to traffic approaching from the left and already circulating on it. Drivers normally signal when leaving the roundabout rather than when entering it.
Do pedestrians have priority at crossings in Switzerland?
At an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing, drivers must give way to pedestrians who are already crossing or clearly intend to cross. Pedestrians must not exercise this priority by stepping suddenly into the path of an approaching vehicle; special rules apply to trams.
Must drivers create an emergency corridor in Switzerland?
Yes. When motorway or expressway traffic becomes congested, drivers must create an emergency corridor between the leftmost lane and the lane immediately to its right. It should be formed before emergency vehicles arrive.
Does Switzerland use zipper merging?
Yes. Where a traffic lane ends, drivers should use the available lanes up to the narrowing and then merge using the zipper principle: vehicles in the continuing lane allow one vehicle at a time from the ending lane to enter.
Can you pass vehicles on the right in a Swiss motorway traffic jam?
In slow or queued traffic, careful passing on the right is permitted. Deliberately moving into the right lane to overtake and then immediately returning to the left remains prohibited.
Who has priority on narrow mountain roads in Switzerland?
Special rules apply where vehicles cannot pass safely. Vehicle combinations with trailers have priority over other vehicles, and heavy vehicles have priority over lighter vehicles. Between comparable vehicles on steep or mountain roads, the descending vehicle normally has to reverse unless circumstances such as a nearby passing place make another solution appropriate.
What should drivers do in Swiss road tunnels?
Use dipped headlights, maintain a safe following distance and steady speed, observe signals and never make a U-turn. FEDRO also recommends listening to traffic information so tunnel instructions can be received during an incident.
What safety equipment must a car carry in Switzerland?
An approved warning triangle must be carried in the vehicle and kept readily accessible. FEDRO also recommends a reflective safety vest for breakdown situations, although it is not generally listed as compulsory carried equipment for an ordinary passenger car.
What languages are used on road signs in Switzerland?
Written road information generally follows the local language region, so drivers may encounter German, French, Italian or Romansh. Bilingual place names are used in some multilingual areas, and federal rules expressly regulate bilingual locality names on motorway signs.
