Guide to Driving In Switzerland - Drive Safe in Switzerland

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Switzerland and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

30 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

100-120 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 50mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Switzerland on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Switzerland is CHF
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Switzerland 1.92 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Switzerland

Driving in Switzerland
Pocket guide to driving in Switzerland
Profile:
Switzerland
Bern
CHF
Driving in Switzerland
SPEED: (kph)
30
50
100-120
Speed limit in Switzerland
Holiday:
Rush hour in Switzerland
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Switzerland
FUEL:
1.92
2.01
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Switzerland
See Fuel Price in Switzerland for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
21
Min driving age in Switzerland
DRINK:
50mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Switzerland
EMERGENCY:
112
Emergency phone number in Switzerland
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Switzerland
PHONES:
Yes
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Switzerland
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Switzerland
See here for current child seats law in Switzerland

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Switzerland?

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Apr , 2024

€ 2.01

€ 1.92

Mar , 2024

€ 2.05

€ 1.88

Feb , 2024

€ 2.09

€ 1.91

Jan , 2024

€ 2.08

€ 1.89

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
White lines allow for free parking but these areas are few and far between. Red zones require red disks and allow for up to 15 hours free parking but are usually reserved for residents
 
Paid parking          
 
You'll often find parking meters by the side of parking spaces. Some ask you to display a ticket, others you enter the space number into the machine.
 
Blue Disc
 
Switzerland is party to the Blue Disc scheme. It’s possible to buy an International Blue Parking Disc from many shops, garages and post offices. There are special parking areas for holders of these marked with a  blue sign and you can park there for ninety minutes. It’s often a much cheaper way to park.
 
Enforcement
 
Enforcement of parking is often done by camera or the police if you are causing an obstruction.
 
Disabled parking
 
Despite not being part of the EU, Switzerland follows EU guidelines on parking for holders of an EU Disabled Parking Permit.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

The emergency number in Switzerland is the European standard: 112 but they also use 117 for the police, 118 for the fire service and 144 for ambulance

What to do in an emergency

Accidents involving animals, wild or domesticated must be reported to the police. In any accident where someone is seriously injured, the police must be called and the scene left as it was until they arrive although casualties can be moved if they are in further danger. If there are only bumps and scratches there is no obligation to call the police. 

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

 
  French German Italian
My car won't start
 
Where is the police station?
I have a flat tyre
 
I have been in an accident
Where is?
Where can I buy petrol?
Ma voiture ne démarre pas
Où est le poste de police?
J'ai un pneu à plat
 
J'ai été dans un accident
Où est?
Où puis-je acheter de l'essence?
Mein Auto springt nicht an
Wo ist die Polizei?
 
Ich habe eine Reifenpanne
Ich habe einen Unfall gehabt
Wo ist?
Wo kann ich kaufen Benzin?
La mia macchina non si avvia
Dove si trova la stazione di polizia?
Ho una gomma a terra
Sono stato in un incidente
Dove si trova?
Dove posso acquistare la benzina?

Switzerland Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Apr , 2024

€ 2.01

€ 1.92

Mar , 2024

€ 2.05

€ 1.88

Feb , 2024

€ 2.09

€ 1.91

Jan , 2024

€ 2.08

€ 1.89

Dec , 2023

€ 2.05

€ 1.88

Nov , 2023

€ 2.04

€ 1.87

Oct , 2023

€ 2.13

€ 1.98

Sep , 2023

€ 2.15

€ 2.00

Aug , 2023

€ 2.06

€ 1.96

Jul , 2023

€ 1.78

€ 1.72

Jun , 2023

€ 1.94

€ 1.85

May , 2023

€ 1.95

€ 1.85

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Apr , 2024 2.01 1.92
Mar , 2024 2.05 1.88
Feb , 2024 2.09 1.91
Jan , 2024 2.08 1.89
Dec , 2023 2.05 1.88
Nov , 2023 2.04 1.87
Oct , 2023 2.13 1.98
Sep , 2023 2.15 2.00
Aug , 2023 2.06 1.96
Jul , 2023 1.78 1.72
Jun , 2023 1.94 1.85
May , 2023 1.95 1.85

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Switzerland and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Phil Partridge
Posted by Phil Partridge
About the Author -

Travel writer, car rental guru, Phil has rented cars all over the world and shares his knowledge and experience on the Rhinocarhire.com Blog. Favourite country to visit: France.

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