Riding in Switzerland

Motorcycles need a motorway vignette (CHF 40) to use Swiss motorways and expressways (green signs).

One price, no short-term version. The 2026 vignette is valid from 1 Dec 2025 to 31 Jan 2027. Riding without one costs a CHF 200 fine, and you still have to buy the vignette.

Source: ch.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Buy the e-vignette online from the official FOCBS/BAZG webshop (via.admin.ch). It is linked to your number plate, so type the plate exactly.

For foreign plates, a typing error can be corrected once within 24 hours of purchase. Beware of unofficial resale sites that charge more. The adhesive sticker is sold at post offices, most petrol stations and garages. On a motorcycle it goes on an easily accessible, non-removable part (no tape or film). Stickers cannot be moved to another vehicle. Motorcycle trailers are exempt.

Source: bazg.admin.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Unless signed otherwise: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside, 100 km/h on expressways, 120 km/h on motorways.

Speeding fines are high and depend on income for serious cases. On motorways, 35 km/h or more over the limit means at least 3 months' disqualification. Extreme speeding (40+ km/h over in towns, 60+ outside, 80+ on motorways) can mean 1–4 years in prison and confiscation of the vehicle. Many pass roads have lower signed limits.

Source: ch.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Ride with dipped headlights or daytime running lights on at all times, also by day.

Required for cars and motorcycles since 1 Jan 2014. The fine for riding without lights by day is CHF 40.

Source: ch.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Rider and passenger must wear a helmet approved to UN ECE Regulation 22.

Applies to motorcycles with or without a sidecar, mopeds, and tri/quadricycles.

Source: europa.eu (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Blood alcohol limit is 0.5‰. It is 0.1‰ (effectively zero) for new riders on a probationary licence and professional drivers.

Riders still in their probation period at home should assume the 0.1‰ limit applies.

Source: europa.eu (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Avoidable noise is illegal. Since 1 Jan 2025, deliberate exhaust bangs/pops and unnecessary revving are explicitly banned. A court can fine up to CHF 10,000.

Modifications that make a bike louder remain illegal. Idling unnecessarily while stationary costs CHF 80. Switzerland has no dB-based road bans for touring roads (as of 2026-10-30), but police do targeted checks on pass roads. Noise cameras are not yet legal. The Federal Council prefers roadside noise displays. Neighbouring Tyrol does have a 95 dB(A) ban (see the noise map layer).

Source: astra.admin.ch (opens in a new tab) · law.ch (opens in a new tab) · motorradonline.de (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

On roads marked with the blue 'Bergpoststrasse' sign (a yellow post horn), you must follow the signs and instructions of the postbus driver when passing is difficult.

The legal basis is Signalisationsverordnung Art. 45 (2) and VRV Art. 38 (3): the postbus driver acts like a traffic warden. The yellow PostBus uses a three-tone horn. When you hear it before a blind bend, slow down, keep right and be ready to stop or reverse to a passing place.

Source: admin.ch (opens in a new tab) · swissinfo.ch (opens in a new tab) · tcs.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Use the horn only when safety requires it, for example before a tight blind bend on a narrow mountain road. At night, use it only in danger.

VRV Art. 29 treats the horn as a warning signal, not a greeting.

Source: swissinfo.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

The vehicle going uphill has priority. If two vehicles cannot pass, the one going downhill reverses, unless the uphill vehicle is close to a passing place.

Heavy vehicles (trucks, coaches, vehicles with trailers) have priority over lighter ones both uphill and downhill, and coaches over trucks. Ride so you can stop within half the distance you can see.

Source: tcs.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Filtering between lanes and overtaking in queues are not allowed. Riding side by side is not allowed either. unconfirmed

This also applies in traffic jams on motorways. Only use the left motorway lane if you can ride at least 100 km/h.

Source: motorradonline.de (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Before a tunnel: lights on and sunglasses or tinted visor off. Inside: keep a large distance, and never turn or reverse.

If you break down, do not wait by the vehicle in the traffic lane. Walk to an orange SOS niche or a green emergency exit. In a fire, never stay in an SOS niche: move away from the smoke and leave by a green emergency exit. Use the SOS phone rather than your mobile, because it gives rescuers your location. Many pass roads (Susten, Simplon, Splügen IT side) have unlit galleries.

Source: tcs.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Fill up before every pass. Do not count on a station at the top or in the next high valley.

Pass summits generally have no fuel. Bigger valley towns (e.g. Innertkirchen, Meiringen, Andermatt, Airolo, Ulrichen, Disentis) are the usual fuel points (see routes.yaml fuel_stops). Swiss motorcycle body advice: 'better to fill up once too often than too rarely'. Small stations may be card-only automats at night or on Sundays (UNCONFIRMED general observation; check your card works).

Source: swissmoto.org (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Expect it to be much colder at the summit than in the valley: roughly 0.65 °C less per 100 m of climb. Snow and ice are possible at 2,000+ m in any month.

A 20 °C valley morning can mean around 10 °C at a 2,400 m summit, plus wind chill. Passes can close at short notice for snow, even in summer, and some open only in June. Check the MeteoSwiss forecast and current pass status the same morning. North and south sides can have completely different weather.

Source: tcs.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

Carry: your licence, registration document, insurance proof, a valid vignette if you use motorways, and a phone with the Rega app. Wear a helmet, gloves, abrasion-resistant clothing with protectors (or an airbag vest) and boots, even on short trips.

Switzerland has no legal requirement for a motorcyclist to carry a warning vest, warning triangle or first-aid kit, but neighbouring countries may require some (check before crossing). Practical: rain gear and a warm layer for summits, and a basic tool and puncture kit. Riders with foreign plates: check your field U1 stand-noise value before riding in Tyrol.

Source: bfu.ch (opens in a new tab) · motorradonline.de (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

112: general emergency number (works in Switzerland and across Europe).

Connects to the police emergency control centre, which routes your call.

Source: ch.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

117: police.

For accidents, threats to life or crimes.

Source: ch.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

144: ambulance.

Medical emergencies (unconscious, bleeding, breathing problems). 118 = fire. 145 = poison.

Source: ch.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

1414: Rega air rescue (helicopter) in Switzerland. From a foreign phone or abroad, call +41 333 333 333.

Use it for accidents in mountain terrain. With poor reception, use the Rega app or try 112. SMS only as a last resort: +41 76 601 14 14 with a foreign SIM.

Source: rega.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026

140: road breakdown service. unconfirmed

Roadside breakdowns. Not for injuries (call 144/112).

Source: iamexpat.ch (opens in a new tab) · checked 30 Oct 2026