How Does Driving Rules Work in Switzerland?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Europe
1The Quick Answer
You must purchase a motorway vignette sticker (CHF 40) to drive on Swiss highways — driving without one risks a heavy fine, and mountain roads require snow chains in winter.
2What You Need to Know
Switzerland drives on the right and uses standard European road signs. The motorway vignette (Autobahnvignette) is an annual sticker costing CHF 40 that must be displayed on your windscreen to legally use Swiss motorways (Autobahn/autoroute) — available at borders, petrol stations, and post offices. Speed limits are strictly enforced: 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on rural roads, 120 km/h on motorways. Speed cameras are widespread. Mountain passes have spectacular but technical roads — mandatory snow chains are signposted in winter and must be carried or fitted. The Gotthard Tunnel frequently has multi-hour queues in peak season.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Buy the CHF 40 motorway vignette at the border crossing, first petrol station, or a post office — driving on the motorway without it risks a CHF 200 fine
- 2Check pass opening dates on viasuisse.ch before planning mountain road routes — many high Alpine passes are closed from November to May
- 3The Gotthard road tunnel can have 2–3 hour queues in summer — consider the parallel rail car-transport service (autoverlad) or plan travel outside peak hours
Important Warning
Driving on Swiss motorways without the valid annual vignette (CHF 40) is illegal and results in an immediate fine. The vignette must be stuck to the inside of the windscreen — hanging it from the mirror is not valid.
How does this compare?
Driving Rules rules in nearby and similar countries:
Drive on the right; parts of the Autobahn have no speed limit, but strict enforcement applies everywhere else and drink-driving laws are among Europe's toughest.
Drive on the left; speed is in mph not km/h; central London has a daily congestion charge; and motorway etiquette requires keeping left except when overtaking.
Drive on the right, blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, speed cameras are extremely common, and toll roads (autoroutes) are fast but expensive.
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