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Traffic lightsSwitzerland

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.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Switzerland

47. Traffic lights

Traffic lights use coloured lights, arrows or symbols to regulate when road users may proceed, must prepare to stop or must remain stopped. Separate signals may apply to particular directions, lanes, pedestrians, cyclists or public-transport vehicles.

A green light permits movement only when the route is clear and the movement is otherwise legal. Road users must still follow priority rules, turning restrictions, lane markings and instructions from authorised traffic controllers.

Traffic lights in Lucerne. (Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Draceane • CC BY-SA
What must a driver do at red, amber and green signals in Switzerland?

Red means stop at the applicable line. Amber generally warns that the signal is changing and calls for a stop where it can be made safely; do not accelerate to beat it. Green allows movement only when the way is clear. Observe local arrow, flashing-signal and stop-line rules.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland, Road Signs Ordinance, 1 October 2026, articles 68 and 69a

May you turn at a red traffic light in Switzerland?

A red signal does not give an ordinary car permission to turn after stopping. Follow any green directional signal that applies to your movement. Sign 5.18 is a separate right-on-red concession for bicycles and mopeds, who must give way; it does not authorise an ordinary car to turn on red.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland, Road Signs Ordinance, 1 October 2026, articles 68 and 69a

Can a green light remove the need to give way to pedestrians in Switzerland?

No. A green signal is not a guarantee that the junction is empty. Check for people already crossing, vehicles completing a movement and any separate pedestrian, bicycle or turning signals. Do not enter if you cannot clear the junction safely.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland, Road Signs Ordinance, 1 October 2026, articles 68 and 69a

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 ...