Fines in Switzerland: How Much Traffic Violations Cost

If you break the traffic rules in Switzerland and are caught, you could face a heavy fine or a temporary or permanent driving ban. Speeding drivers can even face prison sentences. Reason enough for us at CARIFY to take a look at the Swiss catalog of fines and show you what you need to watch out for when driving to avoid the risk of fines.

How Much Do Speeding Fines Cost in Switzerland?

Excessive speed is rightly not a trivial offense, as it is one of the most common causes of accidents. Drivers who are too fast see dangers too late, are unable to brake in time, or lose control of their vehicle. As a result, they endanger themselves and other road users. As a deterrent, the penalties for speeding in Switzerland are particularly high - up to and including imprisonment. Find out here what fines you can expect in Switzerland.

In town, out of town, highway

The amount of the fine in Switzerland depends on the type of road and the extent to which the speed limit has been exceeded.

Other violations also result in high fines:

Illegal parking

Almost all parking spaces in Switzerland are subject to a charge. There are different parking zones:

• Yellow zone: Parking spaces marked in this way are private and reserved for customers or employees of a company.

• White zone: You have to buy a ticket to be allowed to park here. The prices depend on the parking time.

• Blue zone: From Monday-Saturday from 8 am-6 pm, free parking is permitted for one hour. Condition: You place the blue parking disk with your arrival time visible behind the windscreen. For overnight parking, you must purchase a parking ticket.

Important: The police may have parking offenders who are obstructing traffic or who are still parked incorrectly for more than 12 hours after being fined towed away.

The fines depend on the traffic obstruction and duration of the parking offense and range from CHF 40 to CHF 100. High extra fees are charged for towing.

Lawn

With the federal "Via Sicura" program, Switzerland is gradually improving road safety. Anyone who is clearly speeding is considered a speeding driver. These are the relevant limits:

• In urban areas: by more than 40 km/h,

• Out of town: by more than 60 km/h,

• On highways: by more than 80 km/h.

In addition to heavy fines, there is the threat of a prison sentence of at least one and up to 4 years, and the driver's license will be confiscated for at least 2 years and only reissued after a fitness to drive assessment. Repeat offenders will have their licenses permanently revoked. The vehicle can also be confiscated and auctioned off.

When Are Warnings and Disqualification From Driving Threatened?

In Switzerland, the amount and type of fine depend on the severity and number of violations of road traffic regulations. For very minor offenses, you can get away with an administrative fine. These include parking violations or minor speeding offenses.

The following offenses will result in an administrative fine:

1. Minor offense

2. Medium offense

3. Serious offense

The penalty increases in a cascade if you are caught committing multiple offenses at short intervals. The more serious the offense and the more often you have already been punished for traffic violations (repeat offense), the more severe the administrative measure will be.

Speed Cameras in Switzerland: What Tolerances Apply?

Stationary and mobile speed cameras are used in Switzerland to catch speeders. Depending on the measuring device, there is a tolerance deduction depending on the speed being driven:

• For radar measurements, stationary threshold detectors and section speed checks: 5-7 km/h,

• For radar measurements on bends: 10-14 km/h

• For laser measurements: 3-5 km/h and

• For mobile measurements: 7-9 km/h.

What Are the Maximum Speeds in Switzerland?

Unless traffic signs indicate otherwise, different speed limits apply in Switzerland for different areas.

Speed limits in Switzerland Table

The Traffic Regulation Ordinance (VRV) defines the general speed limit for cars in Article 4a for different roads:

Signs may apply different speed limits. These override the otherwise applicable speed limit. In addition, vehicle-specific speed limits apply, for example for trailer combinations and other vehicles listed in Article 5, as well as maximum speeds in certain weather conditions (poor visibility) and tire types (spikes) or if you are driving with snow chains.

What Happens if You Don’t Pay a Fine?

Anyone who is unable to pay the fines in Switzerland on time has the option of requesting an extension of the payment deadline or payment in installments from the responsible collection agency. This can be granted, but does not have to be.

What happens if you have not paid the fine on time? Then debt collection is initiated. The debt collection agency may pledge your income or other assets. If this does not cover the fine either, you may face a substitute custodial sentence. Every 100 francs of unpaid fines means one day in prison.

But there is an alternative: if you can prove your inability to pay, you can apply to the relevant canton to have the fine converted into community service. If the application is received within the time limit, you can work off your fine.

Behavior During a Traffic Check in Switzerland

When you are waved out of a traffic stop, you get nervous. What have you done wrong, what are the officers allowed to do to you? We give you tips on how to behave correctly. First of all, it's good to know that the cantonal police are not allowed to carry out random checks. They must have a specific reason. The officers also need an initial suspicion for drug or alcohol checks.

This is how the check works:

• Traffic checks are carried out by at least two police officers, sometimes more.

• If you are waved out, bring your car to a halt in a place where you will not obstruct or endanger traffic. Keep calm and do not resist the check.

• A police officer will approach you to establish your identity. Open the window on the driver's side and have your documents ready (ID, driver's license, vehicle registration). You will be fined CHF 20 for missing documents.

• The officer will tell you the reason for the check. You must answer questions about your identity and provide evidence, but not any further questions.

• If you do not have your ID with you (you are not obliged to do this, but you are obliged to carry your driver's license and vehicle registration document) or the officers have doubts about the validity/authenticity of a document, they can take you to the police station and continue the check there. This also applies if you cannot prove beyond doubt

• that the car belongs to you or that you are authorized to drive it,

• that your driver's license authorizes you to drive vehicles or

• that you are authorized to carry things like weapons in the vehicle.

• The police may only take your fingerprints if they are unable to establish your identity or suspect a criminal offense. Driving without a valid license is considered a criminal offense.

• If there is nothing against you, you can continue your journey without your data being stored.

Tips for Avoiding Fines in Switzerland

If you stick to the traffic rules and speed limits, you are on the safe side. This way you avoid speeding:

• A head-up display ensures that you always have an eye on the traffic situation and speed.

• Don't rely on the speedometer or the fact that it's going ahead. GPS measurement using speedometer apps for smartphones or mobile navigation systems is safer.

• Use the overrun warning on the traffic sign display if you have one and link it to the cruise control if necessary.

• If your car has cruise control, perhaps even with a limiter function, you cannot exceed the maximum permitted speed when accelerating.

Conclusion

Assistance systems in new vehicles ensure greater driving safety. With their help, you can avoid being fined for speeding. Our subscription cars from CARIFY are equipped with standard safety assist systems and often have many other additional features. With a car from CARIFY, you are safe on the road and can enjoy driving without fear of speed cameras.

FAQs

How much does a fine cost in Switzerland?

The fine depends on the amount of the speeding offense and where you were speeding. You can expect fines of CHF 20-250 if you exceed the speed limit by 1 km/h.

What does 30 km/h too fast cost in Switzerland?

If you exceed the speed limit by 30 km/h or more, you could be fined CHF 250-260 and, depending on where the offense occurred, receive a warning or have your driving license revoked for one to three months.

How many km/h are deducted when speeding Switzerland?

• For radar measurements, stationary threshold detectors and section speed checks 5-7 km/h

• 10-14 km/h for radar measurements on bends

• For laser measurements 3-5 km/h

• 7-9 km/h for mobile measurements

How much does 40 in the 30 zone in Switzerland cost?

Speeding at 10 km/h in a 30 km/h zone costs you CHF 120. But if you exceed the speed limit by 40 km/h, you are committing a speeding offense.