Weight 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.


44. Weight limit

A weight limit prohibits vehicles or vehicle combinations whose mass exceeds the value shown from entering or passing a road section, bridge, tunnel or other structure. Depending on local law, the restriction may concern the vehicle’s actual loaded mass, maximum authorised mass or load on an individual axle.

Drivers must know which type of mass the sign refers to and must include the vehicle, passengers, cargo and any trailer where required. A vehicle that exceeds the limit must use another suitable route.

Village-entry and weight-limit signs at Calfreisen. (Graubünden, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Andres Passwirth • CC BY-SA
Does every weight-limit sign measure the same kind of vehicle weight in Switzerland?

No. The Swiss maximum-weight sign uses actual weight, including occupants and load, for the vehicle or complete combination. An axle-load sign controls the load on an axle. Vehicle-category prohibitions are separate controls; read the particular sign rather than assuming all weight-related restrictions use the same measurement.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 20; LCR article 27

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

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

Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited. Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited.

English • Traffic sign 2.16 • Maximum weight.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.16 • Höchstgewicht.

Français • Signal 2.16 • Poids maximal.

Italiano • Segnale 2.16 • Peso massimo.

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 2017-07-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 2.16, PDF page 105. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

Do cargo and trailers matter for a posted weight restriction in Switzerland?

Yes. Switzerland’s maximum-weight sign applies to actual mass, including occupants and cargo and, for a vehicle combination, the whole combination. A supplementary plate allowing a higher combination weight still limits each individual vehicle to the main sign’s figure. An axle-load sign imposes a separate restriction.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR Art 20: effective mass and axle load; OCR authorisation rules

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR 741.21, 1 October 2026: OSR Art 20: effective mass and axle load; OCR authorisation rules

What should you do if your vehicle exceeds a bridge weight limit in Switzerland?

Do not drive onto the bridge. Follow the signed alternative route and check the vehicle’s gross and axle loads as applicable. A general heavy-vehicle permit does not automatically authorise crossing every restricted bridge.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR Art 20: effective mass and axle load; OCR authorisation rules

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR 741.21, 1 October 2026: OSR Art 20: effective mass and axle load; OCR authorisation rules

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 ...