Traffic signsSwitzerland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Traffic signs

A traffic sign is a standardised visual symbol placed along roads to guide, warn, or regulate drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. These signs provide essential information about road conditions, rules, directions, and potential hazards, helping to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow. They come in various shapes and colours—such as triangular warning signs, circular prohibitory or mandatory signs, and rectangular information signs—each designed for quick recognition and clear understanding.

How are traffic signs grouped in Switzerland?

ASTRA separates 1.xx danger, 2.xx regulatory, 3.xx priority and 4.xx information signs, with supplementary indications in 5.xx.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR Annex 2 divisions 1-5, articles 3,16,35,44,63; LCR article 27

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Is a temporary speed limit at roadworks binding in Switzerland?

Where an authorised temporary regulatory speed limit is in force, you must obey it. A roadworks warning alone should not be mistaken for a new numerical limit, but conditions may require driving more slowly.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR Annex 2 divisions 1-5, articles 3,16,35,44,63; LCR article 27

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

151. Indicated width

This supplementary sign shows an indicated vehicle width. Read it together with the main traffic sign to determine how the width value affects the applicable rule or restriction.

English • Supplementary plate 5.15 • Width of the carriageway.

Deutsch • Zusatztafel 5.15 • Fahrbahnbreite.

Français • Plaque complémentaire 5.15 • Largeur de la chaussée.

Italiano • Cartello complementare 5.15 • Larghezza della carreggiata.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2009-03-18. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 5.15, PDF page 131. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

152. Junction shape

This supplementary sign shows the shape or layout of the upcoming junction.

English • Supplementary plate 5.09 • Direction of the priority road.

Deutsch • Zusatztafel 5.09 • Richtung der Hauptstrasse.

Français • Plaque complémentaire 5.09 • Direction de la route principale.

Italiano • Cartello complementare 5.09 • Direzione della strada principale.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2009-03-18. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 5.09, PDF page 131. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

153. Parking allowed during times shown

This supplementary sign indicates that parking is allowed during the times shown.

English • Supplementary plate 5.11 • Exception to the parking prohibition.

Deutsch • Zusatztafel 5.11 • Ausnahmen vom Parkierungsverbot.

Français • Plaque complémentaire 5.11 • Dérogation à l’interdiction de parquer.

Italiano • Cartello complementare 5.11 • Deroghe al divieto di parcheggio.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 5.11, PDF page 131. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

154. Parking prohibited or allowed at times shown

This supplementary sign indicates that parking is prohibited during the times shown beside the prohibition symbol and allowed during the times shown beside the parking symbol.

English • Supplementary plate 5.10 • Exception to the stopping prohibition.

Deutsch • Zusatztafel 5.10 • Ausnahmen vom Halteverbot.

Français • Plaque complémentaire 5.10 • Dérogation à l’interdiction de s’arrêter.

Italiano • Cartello complementare 5.10 • Deroghe al divieto di fermata.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 5.10, PDF page 131. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

155. Charging station

This supplementary sign indicates that the main traffic sign applies in connection with electric-vehicle charging.

English • Symbol 5.42 • Charging station.

Deutsch • Symbol 5.42 • Ladestation.

Français • Symbole 5.42 • Station de recharge.

Italiano • Simbolo 5.42 • Stazione di ricarica.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2023-01-30. Wikimedia original unmodified.

156. Emergency telephone

This supplementary sign indicates that an emergency telephone is available at or near the location indicated by the main traffic sign.

English • Symbol 5.57 • Emergency telephone.

Deutsch • Symbol 5.57 • Notfalltelefon.

Français • Symbole 5.57 • Téléphone de secours.

Italiano • Simbolo 5.57 • Telefono d’emergenza.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.

157. Cyclists dismount

This supplementary sign instructs cyclists to dismount and continue on foot where the main traffic sign applies.

English • Symbol 5.33 • Push the cycle.

Deutsch • Symbol 5.33 • Fahrrad schieben.

Français • Symbole 5.33 • Pousser le cycle.

Italiano • Simbolo 5.33 • Velocipede spinto a mano.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2022-03-03. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 5.33, PDF page 132. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

158. When lights show

This supplementary sign indicates that the main traffic sign applies only when the lights are illuminated.

English • Supplementary plate 5.12 • Flashing lights.

Deutsch • Zusatztafel 5.12 • Blinklicht.

Français • Plaque complémentaire 5.12 • Feux clignotants.

Italiano • Cartello complementare 5.12 • Luce lampeggiante.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.

159. Motorail

This supplementary sign indicates a motorail service where vehicles can be transported by train.

English • Symbol 5.51 • Loading platform for rail transport.

Deutsch • Symbol 5.51 • Autoverlad auf Eisenbahn.

Français • Symbole 5.51 • Quai de chargement pour le transport sur rail.

Italiano • Simbolo 5.51 • Carico di autoveicoli su ferrovia.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2022-03-03. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 5.51, PDF page 134. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

160. Ice

This supplementary sign warns that the road surface may be icy.

English • Supplementary plate 5.13 • Icy road.

Deutsch • Zusatztafel 5.13 • Vereiste Fahrbahn.

Français • Plaque complémentaire 5.13 • Chaussée verglacée.

Italiano • Cartello complementare 5.13 • Carreggiata gelata.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2009-03-18. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 5.13, PDF page 131. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

161. Shooting noise

This supplementary sign warns that sudden loud noises from shooting may be heard nearby.

English • Supplementary plate 5.16 • Shooting noise.

Deutsch • Zusatztafel 5.16 • Schiesslärm.

Français • Plaque complémentaire 5.16 • Bruit de tirs.

Italiano • Cartello complementare 5.16 • Rumore esercizi di tiro.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2009-03-18. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 5.16, PDF page 131. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

162. Industrial area

This supplementary sign indicates that the main traffic sign applies in or near an industrial area.

English • Symbol 5.53 • Industrial and craft area.

Deutsch • Symbol 5.53 • Industrie und Gewerbegebiet.

Français • Symbole 5.53 • Zone industrielle et artisanale.

Italiano • Simbolo 5.53 • Zona industriale e artigianale.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2022-03-03. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 5.53, PDF page 134. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.