Minimum speedSwitzerland
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.
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: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026
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.
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: 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: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Traffic rules
Switzerland