ZoneSwitzerland

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.


5. Zone

A traffic zone is an area in which a traffic rule applies throughout all included roads or road sections. The rule normally begins at a zone-entry sign and remains applicable until the corresponding end-of-zone sign is passed.

Zones may regulate speed, parking, access, vehicle categories, emissions or other traffic behaviour. The signs used, the roads covered and the effect of intersections or local exceptions depend on local traffic law.

Start of a 30 km/h zone. (Troinex, Geneva, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
How do people refer to traffic zones in Switzerland?

A 30 km/h zone is a Tempo-30-Zone in German, zone 30 in French and zona 30 in Italian. Swiss law also provides other area categories with different rules.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Signalling Ordinance articles 2a(3)-(3bis),22a-22c; Road Traffic Act pedestrian crossing duties

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

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

Where does a zone rule apply in Switzerland?

The zone’s instructions apply from its entrance until its end. A normal junction does not cancel the restriction. Where a 30 km/h zone leads directly into a specially signed 20 km/h residential area, or the reverse, the entrance sign for the new zone also ends the previous one.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Signalling Ordinance articles 2a(3)-(3bis),22a-22c; Road Traffic Act pedestrian crossing duties

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

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

Do pedestrians automatically have priority everywhere in a Swiss 30 km/h zone?

No. The zone 30 designation alone does not establish general pedestrian priority. Observe the normal crossing and priority rules and drive considerately; other specially signed area categories can give pedestrians additional rights.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Signalling Ordinance articles 2a(3)-(3bis),22a-22c; Road Traffic Act pedestrian crossing duties

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

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

How do you know when a traffic zone ends in Switzerland?

Look for the matching zone-end sign. Where a 30 km/h zone and a specially signed 20 km/h residential area directly adjoin, the new zone’s entrance sign also ends the preceding zone. Apply the new category’s speed and pedestrian rules; a separate parking restriction may still apply.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Signalling Ordinance articles 2a(3)-(3bis),22a-22c; Road Traffic Act pedestrian crossing duties

🔗 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 ...