Switzerland (CH)
Switzerland is a landlocked federal republic of 26 cantons at the heart of Europe, bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
Driving in Switzerland
Licence exchange, road rules, fines, buying a car, and cycling.
Switzerland drives on the right and has some of Europe's best-maintained roads but also strict enforcement and high fines. The federal Strassenverkehrsgesetz (SVG/LCR) governs traffic; cantons enforce and issue driving licences. You can drive on your foreign licence for 12 months after becoming resident — after that you MUST exchange it for a Swiss Führerausweis / permis de conduire / licenza di condurre. Failure to exchange in time means re-taking the full Swiss theory + practical tests from scratch. Swiss motorway use requires an annual vignette (sticker or digital) costing CHF 40. Speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 100 km/h trunk roads, 120 km/h motorway — strictly enforced with widespread fixed + mobile radar. Alcohol limit: 0.5‰ (0.1‰ for novices, professional drivers). Summer tires permitted year-round legally but winter tires ("M+S"/snowflake symbol) essentially mandatory between October and April under the "Angemessene Ausrüstungspflicht" rule — insurers can deny claims if you cause an accident on summer tires in wintry conditions.
Driving Licence Exchange
Within 12 months of residence (commune registration date), exchange your foreign licence for a Swiss one at your cantonal Strassenverkehrsamt / Service des automobiles. After 12 months, only Swiss licence is valid — driving on foreign licence is treated as driving without a licence (penalty CHF 500–4,000 + points + insurance issues).
1) Book appointment at cantonal Strassenverkehrsamt. 2) Submit original foreign licence, passport, residence permit, eye test (Sehtest) result (CHF 10–25 at any optician), commune residence confirmation. 3) Pay fee. 4) Receive Swiss credit-card-style Führerausweis in 2–4 weeks; foreign licence surrendered. No test required.
Covers all EU/EEA member states. UK licence holders are treated equivalently under the bilateral Switzerland–UK agreement — same process, no test. If the foreign licence is lost/damaged, the cantonal office may require proof from the issuing authority and/or a theory test.
USA (recognised states), Canada, Japan, Korea (South), Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, Brazil, South Africa
1) Book appointment at Strassenverkehrsamt. 2) Check if your country/state is on the "equivalence list" — if yes, exchange without practical test but may need control drive. 3) Submit licence + passport + permit + eye test + residence confirmation. 4) A "Kontrollfahrt" (control drive of ~45 min with examiner) may be required — no separate theory test. 5) Pay fees.
USA: state-specific equivalence — most US states exchange without test, but some (Arizona, Mississippi, some others) require full Swiss testing. Canada: all provinces equivalent. Japan/Korea: usually exchange with control drive. Check your specific country/state with the cantonal authority BEFORE booking.
1) Full Swiss driving test: written theory (Theorieprüfung, 50 questions, 45 min, German/French/Italian/English — CHF 35) + practical driving test (CHF 100–140) + mandatory first aid course (CHF 100–150) + road awareness course (VKU / Verkehrskundeunterricht, 8 hours, CHF 200–350). 2) Often learning permit (Lernfahrausweis) issued first; requires accompanied driving until practical test passed. 3) Category B (car): apply for learner's permit, take theory test, do VKU + first aid, pass practical driving test. 4) After passing: probationary 3-year licence with 0.1‰ alcohol limit and lower tolerance for offences.
Accepting a foreign licence without exchange after 12 months residence is a serious offence. Start the process within 2 months of arrival — waiting until month 10 leaves no buffer if you fail the first practical test.
Road Rules
50 km/h urban (Ortschaftstafel); 80 km/h outside built-up areas (Ausserorts); 100 km/h on trunk roads (Autostrasse — blue signs); 120 km/h on motorways (Autobahn — green signs). Strict enforcement via widespread fixed radar, mobile speed traps, and automatic section-control on motorways. "Tempo 30" zones increasingly common in residential urban areas.
Motorways (Autobahnen) and semi-motorways (Autostrasse) require a valid vignette — annual CHF 40 sticker affixed to the windshield OR a digital e-vignette (since 2024, auto-linked to the vehicle's number plate at ustra.admin.ch or via app). Valid calendar year + December of previous year + January of following year (14 months total). No road tolls. Motorway speed 120 km/h. Trucks limited 80 km/h.
0.5‰ for experienced drivers (3+ years post-probation). 0.1‰ for novice drivers during 3-year probation, professional drivers (taxi, bus, truck), driving instructors. Even 0.1–0.49‰ triggers a warning + fine. 0.5–0.79‰: fine + possible licence suspension. 0.8‰+: criminal offence — heavy fine (3+ months income in day-fines), licence suspension minimum 3 months, possible prison. Random breath tests legal at police discretion. Drug tests via saliva test routine at checkpoints.
Hand-held use of mobile phone while driving is banned. Using a phone in hand — even at a traffic light with engine running — is a CHF 100 fine + possible point equivalent. Hands-free Bluetooth / phone-holder permitted. Texting while driving: CHF 250+ fine.
Mandatory for all occupants (front + back). Fine CHF 60 per unbelted occupant. Driver responsible for passengers under 12 wearing belt.
Children under 12 AND under 150 cm must use an appropriate child restraint (booster or car seat) with ECE R44 or R129 certification. 150 cm threshold relaxed only when child is 12+. Rear-facing i-Size recommended to age 15 months. Never place rear-facing seat on a front passenger seat with active airbag.
Switzerland has NO equivalent to Germany's Umweltzonen or London's ULEZ as of 2026. Alpine valleys and some pedestrian city zones restrict diesel/older vehicles during high-pollution winter episodes (rare). Geneva and Basel pilot low-emission zones under consideration. Historic-centre access restrictions common (Bern Altstadt, Zurich Niederdorf, Lausanne Vieille-Ville, old-town Lucerne).
Traffic Fines (Bußgeldkatalog)
Ordnungsbussen (fixed penalty fines) apply to minor offences with fixed tariffs — pay within 30 days. Serious offences go to the Statthalteramt / juge d'instruction (administrative prosecutor) which can impose heavy fines (day-fines at ~30% of daily gross income), licence suspension, or criminal conviction. The "Via Sicura" package (2013) introduced severe penalties for reckless-driver cases (Raserdelikte). Points system: Switzerland uses a cascade warning + licence-suspension system (not points like UK/Germany). 3 offences in 2 years = warning; subsequent = suspension.
| Offence | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1–5 km/h over limit (urban) | CHF 40 | No points |
| Speeding 6–10 km/h over limit (urban) | CHF 120 | No points |
| Speeding 11–15 km/h over (urban) | CHF 250 | Warning |
| Speeding 16–20 km/h over (urban) | CHF 400 + report | Licence suspension possible |
| Speeding 21–25 km/h over (urban) / 26–30 (rural) / 31–35 (motorway) | Criminal — CHF 1,000+ day-fines + 1-3 months licence suspension | |
| 50+ km/h over on motorway, 40+ over rural, 30+ in 50-zone = Raser (reckless driver) | 1–4 YEARS PRISON + min 2-year licence revocation + vehicle confiscation | |
| Red light running | CHF 250 | Warning or suspension for deliberate |
| Seatbelt not worn | CHF 60 per person | No points |
| Mobile phone in hand | CHF 100 | Warning |
| Driving 0.5–0.79‰ BAC | CHF 600–1,500 fine + 1–3 months licence suspension | |
| Driving 0.8‰+ BAC | Criminal: CHF 2,000–15,000+ day-fines + 3+ month suspension + possible prison | |
| No vignette on motorway | CHF 200 + must buy vignette | No points |
| No winter tyres in wintry conditions causing incident | CHF 100+ plus insurance may deny claim | |
| Parking in disabled spot without permit | CHF 120 | |
| Parking where forbidden | CHF 40–120 |
Buying a Car
You can buy new or used. New dealers are concentrated around cities; used-car market strong (comparis.ch/autos, autoscout24.ch, ricardo.ch, anibis.ch, ch.motoshop.ch). Before buying, check the MFK/CV (Motorfahrzeugkontrolle) certificate (vehicle-inspection valid), service history, odometer consistency, and Fahrzeugausweis (registration document). Test drive essential. Used cars 3+ years old must have a recent MFK/CV inspection certificate — ask for it or negotiate buyer to renew at CHF 120–200.
- 1.Identify vehicle and confirm seller's ownership via Fahrzeugausweis + ID check
- 2.Arrange financing if needed (bank loan, leasing via dealer, cash)
- 3.Take a test drive and ideally an independent inspection (TCS or ACS inspection CHF 150–300)
- 4.Sign written purchase contract (Kaufvertrag) — TCS and ACS provide template downloads
- 5.Pay and receive the "Fahrzeugausweis" (vehicle registration) in your name + the vehicle
- 6.Before driving: arrange mandatory insurance (RC + ideally Teilkasko/Vollkasko) — insurer issues the insurance confirmation form to hand to Strassenverkehrsamt
- 7.Register at the cantonal Strassenverkehrsamt (online appointment) — present ID, permit, purchase contract, MFK certificate, insurance confirmation. Pay registration fee + issue new plate. Number plates stay with the OWNER in Switzerland, not the car!
- 8.Pay cantonal annual motor-vehicle tax (Motorfahrzeugsteuer / impôt sur les véhicules)
- 9.Buy annual motorway vignette (CHF 40)
- •MFK/CV (Motorfahrzeugkontrolle) — first inspection after 5 years, then every 3 years (initially), then every 2 years
- •Emissions check for diesel vehicles in some cantons
- •Buyer should insist on VIN check and an independent pre-purchase inspection (TCS — tcs.ch)
New car purchase: price + 8.1% VAT already included. Registration at Strassenverkehrsamt: CHF 50–200 one-time. Annual motor-vehicle tax (Motorfahrzeugsteuer): CHF 250–900 depending on canton + engine power/weight. Insurance: CHF 500–2,000/year (RC third-party) + additional for Teil/Vollkasko. Annual MFK: CHF 80 when due. Vignette: CHF 40. Fuel: CHF 1.75–2.10/litre (2026). Total annual ownership cost small car: CHF 4,000–7,000.
Registration, Insurance & Tax
Vehicle registration at the cantonal Strassenverkehrsamt is tied to the OWNER, not the car — your personal number plate (Kontrollschild) is valid for all your registered vehicles. Bringing a car from abroad: requires customs clearance (Zollanmeldung) — import duty 4% + 8.1% VAT on vehicle value (waived if moved as Übersiedlungsgut within 12 months of immigration AND you owned/used the car ≥6 months before moving). Vehicle must meet Swiss standards — imports from USA or non-EU often need technical modifications (headlights, rear fog lamp, speedometer). Register the car after customs clearance and obtain Swiss plates. Change of address within canton: notify online. Cross-canton move: re-register at new cantonal office within 14 days.
Motorfahrzeug-Haftpflichtversicherung (third-party liability) — minimum CHF 5 million cover by federal law, actual unlimited for personal injury. Required to register any motor vehicle. Typical annual premium CHF 500–1,200 depending on vehicle, driver age, bonus-malus rating. Optional: Teilkasko (theft, glass, weather, animal impact, fire), Vollkasko (collision/own fault damage), Insassenunfallversicherung (occupant accident cover). Leasing typically requires Vollkasko for entire lease term. Car-share and e-scooter users: liability included in service.
Cantonal Motorfahrzeugsteuer varies hugely: CHF 250/year in Schaffhausen for small car vs CHF 700–900 in Geneva or Valais. Based on either engine power (PS/kW), weight, emissions, or hybrid/EV bonus. EVs often tax-reduced for 4–10 years depending on canton. Check your cantonal Strassenverkehrsamt website for exact formula.
Motorfahrzeugkontrolle (MFK) / contrôle technique: first inspection after 5 years for new cars, then after 3 years, then every 2 years. Includes brakes, lights, emissions, body condition, tires, safety systems. Failure requires re-inspection within 30 days after repairs (CHF 40–80 re-inspection fee). MFK cost: CHF 80 basic. Expired MFK: driving with lapsed MFK is an offence, insurance may deny claims.
Cycling
Switzerland is a cycling-friendly country with 22,000+ km of signed cycling routes (SchweizMobil) and expanding urban bike-lane networks. Bike theft is a real urban issue (Zurich, Basel). Helmets recommended but not legally required for over-16s. E-bikes ("slow" up to 25 km/h, no number plate) or "fast" pedelecs (25–45 km/h, require yellow number plate, helmet compulsory, licence category M).
- •Ride in dedicated bike lanes (Velostreifen / piste cyclable) where provided, right lane otherwise
- •Give hand signals when turning
- •Riding on footpaths (Trottoir) forbidden for adults over 12 unless signposted
- •Front white + rear red light MANDATORY after dark or in fog — fines CHF 40 + both lights if missing
- •Reflectors on pedals, spokes or side of bike required
- •Bike must be in roadworthy condition (working brakes, bell)
- •Alcohol limit for cyclists: 0.5‰ — same as drivers (only E-bikes >25 km/h)
- •Children under 6 need a proper bike seat or trailer
- •Helmet not required over 16; "fast" e-bike >25 km/h riders must wear helmet + have licence category M
- •Register your bike via swissvelo or velopass to help recovery if stolen
- •Use a strong U-lock (Bügelschloss) + cable — two locks deter most thieves
- •Bike theft insurance often included in Hausrat policies (check "einfacher Diebstahl auswärts" rider)
- •Take your bike on trains: day ticket CHF 12–25 or Veloselbstverlad flat CHF 14/day; free carriage on many trains outside peak hours
- •Use SchweizMobil app for long-distance routes including free offline maps
- •Some cities have Velostation secure bike parking at stations (Zurich HB, Winterthur, Bern) — CHF 1–2/day or monthly pass
- •City bike-share: Publibike (nationwide), Donkey Republic (ZH), TIER/Voi (scooters)