How fast can I drive in Switzerland?
It depends on the limit — and speeding is penalised on a sliding scale. Limits apply nationwide (SVG): 50 in town, 80 rural, 100 semi-motorway, 120 motorway, plus 30-zones and meeting zones. A measurement tolerance is deducted before any fine. Minor speeding goes through the fixed fine (Ordnungsbusse) (e.g. in town 1–5 km/h: CHF 40, 11–15 km/h: CHF 250). Above a threshold there's a criminal report (net over 16 in town, 21 rural, 26 motorway) with a monetary penalty and often a licence withdrawal. Very large excesses are 'Raser' offences with imprisonment. In short: yes, within the limit — otherwise fine, report or licence loss.
📋 The rules
- 50 / 80 / 120 km/h (town / rural / motorway)
- Minor excess: fixed fine (from CHF 40)
- Report from 16 / 21 / 26 km/h net
- High excess: licence withdrawal (min 1–3 months)
- Raser from 50 in town / 80 motorway: prison
🔓 Exceptions
- Measurement tolerance is deducted before the fine
- 30-zones and meeting zones (20 km/h): lower limits
- Repeat offenders: stricter measures
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Minor excesses cost a fixed Ordnungsbusse with no record (in town e.g. 6–10 km/h: CHF 120). Above the threshold (net 16 in town / 21 rural / 26 motorway) comes a report with an income-based penalty (often ≥CHF 400) plus costs and, depending on the figure, a licence withdrawal. 'Raser' offences (e.g. net 50+ in town, 80+ motorway) bring 1–4 years' imprisonment, licence withdrawal from 2 years and possible vehicle confiscation. Beware a myth: "a few km/h over is nothing" — even small excesses are fined. Tip: take special care in 30-zones, where Raser thresholds start at just 40 km/h over.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
What are the speed limits?
Nationwide, 50 km/h applies in town, 80 km/h rural, 100 km/h on semi-motorways and 120 km/h on motorways. There are also 30-zones and meeting zones at 20 km/h. Different limits are shown by signs and are then the ones that apply at that location.
What does a minor excess cost?
Minor excesses go through the fixed fine with no record. In town, 1 to 5 km/h over costs CHF 40, 6 to 10 km/h CHF 120 and 11 to 15 km/h CHF 250. On the motorway the amounts in the lower ranges are lower than in town.
When is there a criminal report?
A report follows when the net measured excess is over 16 km/h in town, over 21 km/h rural or over 26 km/h on the motorway. There's then an income-based monetary penalty plus costs and, depending on the figure, a licence withdrawal as well.
When do I risk a licence withdrawal?
At higher excesses a withdrawal can apply even first time, for example in town from around 25 km/h over for at least three months. Lower figures often lead to a warning. The exact duration depends on the figure and on your record.
What is a 'Raser' offence?
A 'Raser' offence applies to very large excesses, such as net 50 km/h over in town or 80 km/h on the motorway. You face one to four years' imprisonment, a licence withdrawal of at least two years and the possible confiscation of the vehicle.
🔎 Common searches
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