Driving in Switzerland

Basic Legal Requirements

Driving Licence

When driving in Switzerland, you will need to ensure you bring both parts of your driving licence - the Photocard plus the Paper Counterpart (D740). If you do not have a Photocard yet, only the paper copy is required, but you will need Photo ID, such as a Passport

You must be the holder of a full driving licence (not a provisional), and have passed your test. Even if you have already passed your full test, you must be at least 18 years old.

The International Driving Permit is not required, but if you would like one you can apply through the Post Office. The international driving permit is in addition to your driving licence, so you will need to carry both copies.

While a photocopy may be useful if your licence is lost, you should carry the original with you.

Car Documents

You should carry your vehicles Registration Certificate (V5C) with you, which should be updated to show your correct details. For security reasons, it's best NOT to leave the Registration Certificate in the vehicle while it is parked - it makes it harder to a thief to resell the vehicle if they do not have the documentation.

While a photocopy may be useful if your Registration Certificate is lost, you should carry the original with you.

Motorway Pass

Before using a motorway in Switzerland, you must purchase an annual motorway tax sticker. You can purchase these online here, and they are available at customs offices, as well as service stations and petrol stations near the borders. Note that if you are towing a trailer or caravan ir may need its own separate pass.

Insurance

It is compulsory to have at least third-party insurance for Switzerland, as for the UK. Most UK insurance policies will allow an element of European driving, often for a limited period.

Before leaving the UK, it is a good idea to contact your insurer, and check what your existing cover allows. You should request a 'Green Card' which is an internationally recognised form of proof of insurance. You should carry proof of insurance with you while driving. You may also need to arrange insurance for any trailers.

If your existing insurance does not provide European cover for the period required, most insurance brokers will have a suitable policy covering Austria, and will provide Green Card.

Your Vehicle

Your headlights will need to be adjusted to ensure that they do not dazzle oncoming users.

Standard halogen headlights and Autobulbs Xenon HID Conversion kits can be modified by the use of a stick on Headlight Beam Adaptors. Vehicles with factory fitted Xenon HID headlights may find there is an adjuster either on the headlights themselves or on the dashboard - check your manual for details. If there is no adjuster, you may need to visit a dealer for them to make the adjustments, and again to change them back after your visit.

Reflective Jackets or vests are required in Switzerland, so you should carry one for each passenger.

A Warning Triangle is also required. In the event of an accident or breakdown, the triangle should be set up by the side of the road, at least 50 meters in the direction of of the traffic. If you have broken down in the outer lane of a dual carriageway or motorway, or attempting to place the warning triangle would place you in danger, do not use it. Remember to collect your warning triangle before leaving!

Children under the height of 1.5m (4 feet 10 inches) and under 12 years must use an appropriate booster seat or modification - this includes two seater vehicles. All passengers must use seat belts if fitted

You may have a number plate that already has a valid 'GB' mark. If you do not, you will need to apply a GB sticker to the back of your vehicle.

There is no requirement to carry a first aid kit in or a fire extinguisher, but they are recommended, and are a useful safety item to carry in your vehicle if you have the space.

It is recommended (but not required) that you carry a spare bulb kit suitable for your vehicle. While HID bulbs last longer than their halogen counterparts, it makes sense to carry at least one spare Xenon HID bulb suitable for your headlights.

Is reccomended that you use use winter tyres or snowchains, and the Police can prevent you continuiing if they feel your vehicle is not equipped for the conditions. Switzerland very mountainous and conditions can be very difficult in winter, so ensure your vehicle is capable of coping with ther sub-zero temperatures and difficult road conditions.

Driving - Legal Requirements

Lights

Dipped headlights are required on all vehicles during the day. You many want to leave your lights in the 'on' position, if they turn off with the ignition, or leave a reminder.

Speed Limits

Speed limits can be modified by local signs, but the usual ones are:

• Built- up areas: 31 mph or 50 km/h
• Outside built- up areas: 50 mph or 80 km/h
• Motorways: 75 mph or 120 km/h

Traffic Priorities

Traffic priorities are indicated by blue signs at intersections - if you see the blue sign you should give way. Generally, on on hills and mountains, ascending vehicles have priority, and trams have priority at all times. In some areas postal vehicles have priority over normal traffic; this is indicated by a postal horn on a blue background.

Helmets

Helmets are compulsory at all times for scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. Visors should not have a tint of more than 50%.

Overtaking

Overtaking is only on the left (the outside lane). You must not cross double white lines while overtaking. Also, motorclyclists note that it is not permitted to pass long lines of stationery traffic, or to weave between traffic.

Warning with Horn and Lights

As in the UK you should not use the horn except to warn of danger. Using it for other reasons is not common - flashing headlights are used as a warning instead.

GPS, Speed Cameras and Phones

You must NOT use any form of radar detector, or a GPS unit with Speed Camera locations

It is an offence to use a hand- held mobile phone in Switzerland while driving.

Alcohol

Drink driving in Switzerland is similar to most European countries. 50mg or more alcohol per 100ml of blood will result prosecution. Note that this is slightly lower than the 80mg blood alcohol allowed in the UK, so the safest option is not to drink at all when you are driving.

Be aware that you may still have alcohol in your blood if you have been drinking the evening before.

Police and Fines

Police in Switzerland can issue on the spot fines for a range of motoring offences, including:

• Speeding
• Driving on the motorway without the motorway tax
  (and you will still have to buy the tax disc as well!)
• Crossing double white lines while overtaking

Visitors driving in Switzerland will be expected to pay the fine immediately by cash or Euro cheque - police cannot take cards or payments in sterling. If you cannot pay the fine, the vehicle may well be impounded until you do.

If you do get stopped by the police, remember to remain polite. If you are abusive you can and will be arrested on the spot, and may find yourself facing more than a on- the- spot fine.

Driving Tips

• Drive on the right! It's easy to forget to drive on the right when changing roads, exiting motorways, going on to roundabouts or starting for the first time in the morning. Put a sticker on your dashboard, teach the kids to chant 'drive on the right' every time you get in the car or even wear one driving glove to remind yourself.
• Go round roundabouts ANTI-Clockwise.
• Remember to reverse the directions you look, especially on roundabouts. Your instinct when turning left will be to only look to the right, but as you have to cross both lanes, remember to look both directions. This is particularly tricky when crossing dual carriageways and joining roundabouts. Reversing the directions you check will also help when you are a pedestrian - remember to look right before stepping off the kerb.
• It can take longer than you expect to cross Switzerland, especially if you are not on the motorways. Take it slowly and enjoy the scenery!.
• Signs are generally the same as their UK equivalents, but there will be advisory signs for parking and similar. A German (or Austrian German) phrase book or dictionary will help with translations.
• Petrol (91 and 98 Ron) and diesel are widely available, and LPG is available is some areas. Not all UK cards issued by UK banks will work, so check with them before travelling, but many of the automated stations take notes (Swiss Francs) as well.
• Leaded petrol is not available. The best option may be to take along supplies of fuel additive, although this is available locally.
• Spares and parts for some vehicles may be hard to locate in Switzerland, especially for imported or more unusual cars. It is worth checking the basic wear items like tyres, brakes and windscreen wipers, and carry a spare bulb kit and fuses suitable for your vehicle. Remember to check the spare wheel or inflation kit as well.
• If you are towing and use a mirror extender, check yours can be used on the left to maximise visibility when driving on the right.
• If you have UK breakdown assistance, it may well provide limited European cover. If it does not (or you do not have breakdown cover) consider getting this for the duration of your holiday. Recovering your vehicle from Austria could be expensive, and repairing it locally may be difficult to arrange.
• Road conditions are normally good throughout Switzerland. However, snow and ice can make driving hazardour, especially in winter. Upgraded headlight bulbs or a Xenon HID headlight conversion give longer viewing distances at night.
• Vouchers for parking are often available from local shops and post offices. Parking restrictions may be shown by 'Blue Zones'. You may need a permit even if there are no parking charges.

Useful Links

• European travel equipment: Autobulbs European driving accessories and spare bulbs
• MySwitzerland.com: Official Tourist website for Switzerland (in English)
• Wikipedia.org/Switzerland: Wikipedia entry on Switzerland