One-way trafficSwitzerland

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.


14. One-way traffic

One-way traffic means that vehicles on a road or carriageway may travel only in one designated direction. The permitted direction is normally indicated by traffic signs, lane arrows or road markings.

Some road users, such as cyclists or public-transport vehicles, may be allowed to travel in the opposite direction when signs expressly permit it. A one-way road does not by itself determine the speed limit, priority or parking rules.

One-way traffic sign with an end-of-disc-parking sign. (Le Brassus, Vaud, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
How should I read a one-way restriction in Switzerland?

Follow the direction designated by the street’s one-way signs and any entrance restrictions or lane arrows. A compulsory turn at one junction is different from a restriction applying along the street.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR46(1)-(2); OCR37; LCR27

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026

Road with one-way traffic. Road with one-way traffic.

English • Traffic sign 4.08 • One-way traffic.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 4.08 • Einbahnstrasse.

Français • Signal 4.08 • Sens unique.

Italiano • Segnale 4.08 • Senso unico.

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 2017-06-30. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 4.08, PDF page 113. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

No entry. No entry.

English • Traffic sign 2.02 • No entry.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.02 • Einfahrt verboten.

Français • Signal 2.02 • Accès interdit.

Italiano • Segnale 2.02 • Divieto di accesso.

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 2022-01-27. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 2.02, PDF page 103. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

May cyclists travel against the general traffic direction in Switzerland?

The one-way-with-restricted-counterflow sign identifies a street where the vehicle categories shown may travel in the opposite direction. Cyclists must check that their category is actually authorised. Drivers must look for permitted counterflow traffic when turning or crossing.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR46(1)-(2); OCR37; LCR27

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026

Does one-way traffic give me priority or a different speed limit in Switzerland?

A one-way restriction concerns direction. Continue to follow the applicable speed limit, signals, give-way or stop controls and junction-priority rules. Where authorised counterflow traffic exists, check for it before turning or crossing; your permitted direction is not automatic junction priority.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR46(1)-(2); OCR37; LCR27

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026

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 ...