Minimum speedSwitzerland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


7. Minimum speed

A minimum speed is the lowest speed that vehicles are required to maintain on a particular road or under specified conditions. Minimum-speed rules are intended to prevent vehicles travelling unnecessarily slowly from disrupting traffic or creating large speed differences between road users.

A minimum speed does not require drivers to maintain that speed when traffic, weather, visibility, road conditions or safety require them to slow down. The way minimum speeds are indicated and enforced varies between countries.

Minimum speed
Start of a tunnel over 250 metres. Pedestrians and cyclists prohibited. Minimum speed of 50 km/h. (Monthey, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
What does Switzerland’s blue circular minimum-speed sign mean?

The displayed number is a minimum in km/h. French official wording is Vitesse minimale. Vehicles may not proceed more slowly, except where road, traffic or visibility conditions require it. Vehicles that cannot or may not reach the minimum are not allowed to continue.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Signalling Ordinance article 23; Traffic Rules Ordinance articles 4,35

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Start of a minimum speed. Start of a minimum speed.

English • Traffic sign 2.31 • Minimum speed.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.31 • Mindestgeschwindigkeit.

Français • Signal 2.31 • Vitesse minimale.

Italiano • Segnale 2.31 • Velocità minima.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 2.31, PDF page 106. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

End of the minimum speed. End of the minimum speed.

English • Traffic sign 2.54 • End of minimum speed.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.54 • Ende der Mindestgeschwindigkeit.

Français • Signal 2.54 • Fin de la vitesse minimale.

Italiano • Segnale 2.54 • Fine della velocità minima.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 2.54, PDF page 108. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

Is Switzerland’s 80 km/h motorway access threshold a continuous driving minimum?

No. Motorways and expressways normally admit motor vehicles capable of, and legally allowed to travel at, at least 80 km/h. This eligibility condition does not require driving at 80 km/h in queues or unsafe conditions.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Signalling Ordinance article 23; Traffic Rules Ordinance articles 4,35

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Can Swiss traffic require driving below a signed minimum?

Yes. The minimum-speed sign rule explicitly recognises necessary slowing caused by road, traffic or visibility conditions. Maintain a safe gap and slow or stop as required. Do not confuse a temporary queue with a vehicle that is inherently unable to reach the minimum.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Signalling Ordinance article 23; Traffic Rules Ordinance articles 4,35

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

1 Switzerland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Tunnel 12 Pedestrian zone 13 Customs 14 One-way traffic 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Road narrowing 24 Priority over oncoming traffic 25 Give way to oncoming traffic 26 Pedestrian crossing 27 Railway crossing 28 Mandatory direction 29 Turn prohibition 30 School area 31 Overtaking 32 Crossing animals 33 Slippery road 34 Rockfall 35 Aircraft 36 Curve 37 Chevron 38 Wrong-way driving 39 Roadworks 40 Crosswind 41 Height limit 42 Width limit 43 Length limit 44 Weight limit 45 Intersection direction sign 46 Priority at the next junction 47 Traffic lights 48 Traffic lights warning 49 Pedestrian lights 50 Road markings 51 Junction layout 52 Driving licence 53 Location marker 54 Road number 55 Countdown markers 56 Traffic mirror 57 Emergency telephone 58 International border 59 Pedestrian underpass 60 Cycling route 61 End of restriction 62 Parking 63 No parking 64 No stopping 65 Parking disc 66 Reversing 67 U-turn 68 Traffic jam 69 Detour 70 Uncontrolled crossroad 71 Road surface 72 Exit 73 Information point 74 Horse riding 75 Emergency exit 76 Runaway truck ramp 77 Radio service 78 Oversize load 79 City limit 80 Hospital 81 Parking garage 82 Passing place 83 Pedestrian overpass 84 Axle weight limit 85 Licence plate 86 Charging station 87 Dangers 88 Weather 89 Turn on red 90 Pedestrian 91 Cyclist 92 Moped 93 Motorcycle 94 Car 95 Truck 96 Bus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Tailgating 100 European emission standard ...