Driving rules and option switzerland forum tripadvisor. Here are answers to questions about traffic regulations on swiss roads and penalties for breaking the rules. How the swiss motorway vignette works, and where to get one. In 2017 switzerland won the top award presented by the european transport safety council etsc for having the safest roads in europe. It can snow in higher altitudes even in summer which can lead to closing roads over passes for security reasons for a few hours or days. German is by far the most widely spoken language in switzerland.
For swiss citizens resident abroad it is not possible to apply for a swiss driving licence at either the responsible regional consular centre or at a cantonal road traffic office in switzerland. According to a swiss law, if you fail the practical drivers license test three times, you are required to consult an official psychologist to assess the reasons for your previous failures before you are allowed to retake the exam. Other long stay visa applications will need to be initiated at the swiss consulate in new york. In order to pass the exam and to properly navigate in traffic, you should acquire comprehensive knowledge of the basic theory. For the price of 29 chf you can use the webpage during a twomonth period.
Practical driving test the swiss authorities online. The drivers handbook provides an overview of the road rules and the laws for drivers licences and registering a vehicle in south australia the information contained within this handbook has been prepared to help you become better informed about road safety, road rules, drivers and licensing and vehicle registration. Germans, and the austrians and swiss, like to drive fast, and they have been in love with their cars ever since carl benz 18441927 invented the first practical motor car in 1885. Traffic is a compelling, curious read that makes you feel like you shouldnt be sitting in a car, much less driving one. The rules concerning driving in the country are enforced, and regulations apply for using your foreign drivers licence or car from abroad. Driving theory book pdf since were on the subject of driving rules, let me ask something im unsure of. Can i cross the border between france and switzerland with my. Jul 11, 2016 the fact that i am driving in the dark on my first night in switzerland is not completely my fault. Do take a look at the driving rules of the country youre visiting before you drive across a border. To rent a car, you must be 20 to 25 years old, depending on the company. Also, use of a mobile phone while driving may from now on lead to immediate suspension of the drivers licence. Motorcycles new rules from april 1st 2016 if you would like the possibility to ride a large engine capacity motorcycle legally, it is necessary to ask for a category a provisional licence. Swiss driving rules manual in english the laws in switzerland change all the time.
Click here for a translation of the swiss driving license. Driving in switzerland is not much different from driving in any other european country. You dont have to wait for people purchasing their vignette at the border. Youll learn that theres such a thing as a traffic archeologist, find out what was killing all the pedestrians in new york before cars, learn about the illusions that plague you as a driver, and hopefully a few things that. Learn about driving licenses, car insurance, driving laws and rules, buying or leasing a car and safety.
If there is a working stoplight and a little further down say 25 meters there are little white stripes or triangles, even if the traffic light gives me green im supposed to stop at these triangles yes. Swiss driving rules manual in english english forum. Driving tips for switzerland, speed limits in switzerland, alcohol limits in switzerland, swiss motorway autobahn tolls. Driving tips and road rules european superhighways, like this one in slovenia, can take the stress out of driving in a foreign country. Swiss german is considerably different from german, especially as it happens in regard to those very phrases which a traveler needs. We have also included special tips to emphasize important information you need to know. Kim, secretary california state transportation agency this handbook is available at steven gordon, director dmv. Below are a set of driving rules that apply to every state in the united states.
Youll save time as you can cross the border using the fast lane. Driving in switzerland different swisseuropean traffic. Although the texas driver handbook has been revised, its primary purpose remains the same. The ultimate swiss alps road trip international traveller. Switzerland has been part of the schengen area since 12 december 2008. You will be free to continue learning and gaining valuable experience. Driving in switzerland, speed limits in switzerland, driving. You must have had your licence for at least one year. Detailed information about traffic rules road safety. To make this subject clearer, we have written an article presenting all the different categories of the swiss driving licence.
Road signs in switzerland and liechtenstein wikipedia. Top 6 most unique roads in switzerland newly swissed. These rules are to be used as a guide, please be aware that rules are subject to change and are correct as of november 2014. Swiss nuggets provides various tailormade and chauffeured quick escapes, which offer its participants the opportunity to explore diverse and authentic switzerland within a couple of hours. We have put together some key swiss road rules to help awareness of different driving laws in foriegn countries. As a tourist you are expected to do the same, and pedestrians expect to get right of way. For as hard as switzerland is to get into as a resident, they surprisingly make it pretty hard to leave. Can i cross the border between france and switzerland with. When driving through towns and villages, the horn may be sounded only in the event of an emergency.
The swiss motorway vignette can be purchased online. A drivers license is an official document, often plastic and the size of a credit card, permitting a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles, such as a motorcycle, car, truck, or bus on a public road most american jurisdictions issue a driver license but some a drivers license, which is conversationally american english. Heres what happens when you fail your driving test in. Driving is not allowed from a blood alcohol level of 0. Newly qualified drivers are issued with a probationary driving licence.
Please ask your avis representative if any queries arise. Carry your driving license and motor insurance certificate with you when driving in switzerland. Youll practically never see traffic police lurking on roadsides, but switzerland deploys many grayish, unmarked speed cameras hidden in tunnels, behind trees and traffic lights, and other unexpected locations. Theorie 24 is an extremely useful educational portal for exam preparation. Swiss driving rules manual in english geneva forums. Driving in switzerland traffic regulations and other must knows. What are the different categories of driving licence in switzerland for cars, motorcycles and other vehicles. This age also applies for driving motorcycles with a maximum motor power output of 25 kw and up to 125cc. If you want to learn to drive you need to obtain a provisional licence and pass a theory and a practical test. When you pass you will be issued with your provisional licence p1 and will no longer need to keep a log book or have a supervising driver in the car with you. Swiss driving handbook in english switzerland forums. If you stick to the road rules and especially the speed limits, the back roadsmountain roads will still be a blast to drive on, while making sure you are not fined. This tendency has resulted in a variety of weird swiss laws some of which have taken on a life of their own as they have been passed around online forums for years. Its easy to forget that driving rules change by country, particularly when there isnt a clear border marker.
View and download drivingtodayswitzerlandtrafficregulationsdrivinghandbook. Some long stay visas are preapproved by the swiss authorities and can be collected using a simple process at our consulate. Below you will find some information about swiss driving norms, including. Do swiss travelling in the eu or in other parts of the world need an international driving licence. We cant list the complete swiss traffic regulations here. When you see the sign ketten obligatorisch chains obligatory, chains have to be fitted or you risk a fine. Foreigners may drive motor vehicles in switzerland for one year if they have reached the required minimum age 18 and have a valid national or international driving licence. Age limits and seat belt laws for driving in switzerland. Driving in germany when driving on the german autobahn, one realizes that auto racing is not confined to famous race tracks like the nurburgring. Youll encounter tollbooths on major expressways in mediterranean countries, such as on italys autostradas.
If you have a driving licence in english or in one of the national languages of switzerland, you should not have any problem renting a car. If you should lose your swiss driving licence in thailand, you should go to the department of land transport with a police report and ask to be issued. New driving rules since 2018 the national speedlimit on ordinary roads i. There is a full book with all the road rules in it equivalent to the french version. Top 6 most unique roads in switzerland february 21, 2014 3 comments in cool facts about switzerland by dimitri burkhard switzerland is a very exciting place to explore on a trip, with all the sightseeing, museums and shopping it has to offer. Every driver must pay road tax swiss motorway vignette to use the highway. During the practical test, an expert assesses your ability to drive a motor vehicle of your chosen category safely and follow the traffic regulations. Travel within the schengen area what you should do swiss. To use swiss national roads motorways and semi motorways, motor vehicles and trailers up to a total weight of 3. Children up to 7 years old must sit on a childs seat. I had made a mental note to myself to leave plenty of time to drive from interlaken, the first stop on my grand tour gstaad was supposed to hold this honour, but it was raining heavily when i picked up my hire car and the attendant was adamant that the winding journey would be a waste of time.
Whether youre on the motorways or the mountain paths, the roads in switzerland are always in good condition, making. One of the key differences to getting by with swiss german. Dipped headlights must be used on twolane motorways. They receive their permanent unlimited licence at the end of their probation period and once they have passed a number of further statutory courses. If you stick to the road rules and especially the speed limits, the back roadsmountain roads will still be a blast to drive on, while making sure you are not fined or arrested. Requirements at the driving exam may also be different than the ones shown here. This is especially for foreign students in tubingen. The use of seatbelts in both the front and rear seats is compulsory, and. It offers some of the greatest driving roads in the world, but you can literally be thrown in jail for speeding, even on highways. Jan, 2017 last may, rules came into place which means swiss registered hire cars cannot be driven across the border to austria, france, germany and italy by an eu citizen, including britons. Driving rulesthe legal minimum age for driving in switzerland is 18, though carrental firms often set their own minimum age. California driver handbook master table of contents. The swiss may be a peculiar people when it comes to imposing bureaucracy in order to fix trivial things.
A yellow flashing traffic light warns of special caution, and the general road rules, priority signs, and road markings have to be applied and followed in particular stop signs see 3. Driving tips and road rules for europe by rick steves. Everything you need to know about driving licences. Driving can be a good way of seeing the country and the vista from some mountain roads makes it worth the cost and hassle. The uk stopped being a member of the eu on 31 january 2020. Feb 17, 2014 always drive according to the laws and rules that apply to the place where you are driving. Take your time while driving to allow yourself to adjust to the differences. Eu rules hit ski trip britons hiring cars from switzerland. Here you will find an overview of the different conditions of carriage articles, or you can download all the articles in pdf form.
A guide to the driving test 1 the driving test is an important step in gaining your driver licence. Swiss drivers dont take this rule lightly and do indeed stop even if pedestrians are only approaching a crossing. Driving in switzerland traffic regulations and other. Being able to check out the swiss mountains and meadows as you drive along can be an exciting experience in itself. In order to obtain the necessary skills and to prepare for the test, you are strongly recommended to take driving lessons with a professional instructor. New rules on travel in the eu may take effect on 1 january 2021, including the documents youll need to carry when driving in europe. Cars with a trailer may not exceed 80 kmh on any road.
Once the psychologist reports that you are once again ready to take the exam, you can retry. Always drive according to the laws and rules that apply to the place where you are driving. Because its hardly ever necessary, and wed rather not be burdened with a car and the hassles of parking it when were enjoying swiss cities, villages, and countryside. Other purchase options are at the border pick the lane for cars without a vignette and gas stations near the border in the surrounding countries.
If you rely on an old book or cd you may not be aware of new rules for cyclists, rules for roundabouts, low speed limit areas, using mobiles, even the limits of alcohol levels. The idea of driving to the alps might sound like a more daunting prospect by the minute, but there are definite advantages as well as saving money, it gives you the chance to stock up on food. An international drivers licence or permit idp might be demanded by some car rental companies, so before arranging to rent a car, you should call the rental company to ask about the documents they require. Practical driving test during the practical test, an expert assesses your ability to drive a motor vehicle of your chosen category safely and follow the traffic regulations. The sticker is valid for 14 months from 1st december to 31st january and costs 38. In many places a green arrow indicated that you have priority if you are driving in the direction of the arrow this is not the case in switzerland and in. Swiss nuggets provides various tailormade and chauffeured quick escapes. Getting a swiss drivers license as a foreigner expatica. Driving in switzerland, speed limits in switzerland. The agreement makes your journey easier during the duration of your stay. However, until the end of 2020 the previous rules on travel for the uk and the eu continue to apply.
To legally drive a car in canada, youll need a drivers licence issued by the government of your province or territory. Speeding fines and other traffic regulations are rather strictly enforced and expensive. Tips for driving and parking in switzerland expatica. Pay attention to the weather forecast when going on a longer journey through switzerland. About switzerland there are approximately 8 million people in switzerland.