Driving in Germany vs. Switzerland: What You Need to Know
When navigating the roads of Germany and Switzerland, understanding the distinctions in traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol consumption rules, these two countries showcase notable variations. Explore how these driving norms can impact your travel experience and enhance your safety abroad.
Lanes
| Germany | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
germany:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Germany | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Germany | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Germany | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
germany:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Germany | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
germany:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
germany:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Germany | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay