Switzerland summary
Key facts
Official language(s)
Currency
Population
Time zone
Calling code
Drive on the
Member of the EU
German, French, Italian
Swiss franc
7,725,200
GMT + 1
41
Right
No
Local weather
Bern
-
Sat-16° | -10° - Sun-18° | -9°
- Mon-27° | -8°
- Tue-15° | -9°
Speed limits
- Motorways:
- 120kmh (74 mph),ยท 100kmh (61 mph) in built up areas
- Open roads:
- 80kmh (49mph)
- Towns:
- 50kmh (31mph)
Road Safety
-
Alcohol limit:
- 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
-
Use of mobile phone whilst driving:
- It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone whilst driving and can attract a fine of up to Sfr 240 (€154)
- It is legal to use a hands free mobile.
-
Seat belts:
- It is compulsory for front and rear seated occupants to wear seat belts
- Children under the age of 12 years are prohibited from sitting in the front of the vehicle
- Children under the age of 7 must be carried in a child seat
- Children with a body height of less than 150cm and under the age of 12 years must be secured with an examined and specially marked child restraint seat.
- Dependant upon the weight of the child, a booster child seat or infant carrier is needed
- Children older than 12 years of age or larger than 150cm can continue to use the standard safety seat belts
- The restraints must meet the safety standards of the relevant UN Convention and have rating version 03 or higher. Parents can check this by referring to the respective labels located on the child seat or booster.
- Restraints with the ratings 01 or 02 can no longer be used
-
Traffic lights regulations:
- Red – Stop
- Amber – Slow down
- Green – Go
Costs
- Road tolls:
- Motorway driving requires a motorway tax disc which must be purchased at the border (These are included on all vehicles rented from National Car Rental in Switzerland)
- On the spot fines:
- Police officials can impose on the spot fines for motoring offences
General motoring advice
- Rush hour in built up areas:
- Monday – Friday
- 0700 – 0900hrs
- 1600 – 1900hrs
- Fuel:
- Fuel stations are normally open 0600 – 2000hrs although those along main routes are generally open 24hrs a day
- Payment can be made by credit card or cash
- Unleaded petrol (95), and Diesel are available
- Parking advice:
- Parking discs to indicate when the car was parked are supplied with vehicles rented in Switzerland