Speed limitSwitzerland

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.


6. Speed limit

A speed limit is the maximum legal speed permitted on a road, lane or within a designated area. It may be established by general traffic law or indicated by fixed, variable or temporary traffic signs.

A speed limit is a maximum, not a target speed. Drivers must travel more slowly whenever traffic, visibility, weather, road conditions, vulnerable road users or the condition of the vehicle make the maximum permitted speed unsafe.

Locality, cattle-warning and speed-limit signs at Hohenrain. (Wäldi, Thurgau, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • JoachimKohler-HB • CC BY-SA
Which general speed limits should car drivers know in Switzerland?

For an ordinary car without a trailer, the general maxima are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on ordinary roads outside them, 100 km/h on expressways and 120 km/h on motorways. Follow lower signed restrictions and special-area rules. These general figures do not replace vehicle-specific requirements.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance article 4a; Signalling Ordinance articles 22,45

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

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

Is a Swiss expressway subject to the same general maximum as a motorway?

No. The general maximum on an expressway is 100 km/h, compared with 120 km/h on a motorway. German official wording distinguishes Autostrasse and Autobahn; French uses semi-autoroute and autoroute. Lower signed limits still apply.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance article 4a; Signalling Ordinance articles 22,45

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

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

Does the end of a Swiss local restriction mean unlimited speed?

No. The appropriate general limit for the road category resumes unless another restriction applies. Ending a local 60 km/h restriction, for example, does not abolish the ordinary outside-area or motorway ceiling.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance article 4a; Signalling Ordinance articles 22,45

🔗 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 ...