Switzerland is a dream for motorcyclists: the Furka, Grimsel, Susten and Gotthard passes are close together, the roads are excellent and the scenery is spectacular. When motorcycling in Switzerland, one thing matters above all: speed is expensive. Even small excesses cost more than in most neighbouring countries, and riders who are far too fast quickly end up in court. Here are the rules you should know before your tour.
Key facts at a glance
| Topic | Rule in Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Speed limits | 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside, 100 km/h on expressways, 120 km/h on motorways |
| Alcohol limit | 0.5, for new drivers on a probationary licence 0.1 |
| Lights | Mandatory during the day |
| Vignette 2026 | CHF 40, the motorcycle needs its own vignette, also available as an e-vignette |
| Speed camera warnings | Radar detectors and sat navs with camera warnings are illegal |
| Filtering | Not allowed, emergency corridor is mandatory and off-limits to motorcycles |
| Noise | Avoidable noise can cost up to CHF 10,000 since 2025 |
Licence and documents
EU driving licences are recognised in Switzerland, including categories A1, A2 and A. Carry your licence in the original, your vehicle registration certificate and an ID card or passport. Switzerland is part of the Schengen area but not of the EU. Customs therefore check goods, and there can be random checks at the border.
Speed limits and fines
| Road | Motorcycle |
|---|---|
| Built-up areas | 50 km/h |
| Outside built-up areas | 80 km/h |
| Expressways | 100 km/h |
| Motorways | 120 km/h |
Fixed fines for minor speeding are the same throughout Switzerland. The measurement is net, after the tolerance has been deducted:
| Too fast by | Built-up | Outside | Motorway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–5 km/h | CHF 40 | CHF 40 | CHF 20 |
| 6–10 km/h | CHF 120 | CHF 100 | CHF 60 |
| 11–15 km/h | CHF 250 | CHF 160 | CHF 120 |
| 16–20 km/h | report | CHF 240 | CHF 180 |
| 21–25 km/h | report | report | CHF 260 |
Above these values there is no fixed fine but a criminal report. The public prosecutor then decides, and fines are based on your income. That can easily run into four figures.
The speeding law
You count as an extreme speeder (Raser) if you are massively too fast, for example 70 km/h in a 30 zone, 100 km/h instead of 50 in town, 140 km/h instead of 80 outside town or 200 km/h on the motorway. Reckless overtaking and illegal races also count. Since 1 October 2023 there is no longer a minimum prison sentence, and courts can impose a fine on first offenders. A prison sentence remains possible, and the driving licence is withdrawn for at least twelve months. For foreign riders this means a riding ban in Switzerland and proceedings that will cost you dearly.
Alcohol limits
The general limit in Switzerland is 0.5 g/l. For new drivers with a probationary licence, learners, driving instructors and professional drivers the limit is 0.1 g/l. As with every country: on a motorcycle you are safest with no alcohol at all.
Vignette 2026
You need a vignette on motorways and expressways. It costs CHF 40 and is valid from 1 December to 31 January of the following year, so the 2026 vignette runs until the end of January 2027. There is no shorter vignette. Important: the motorcycle needs its own vignette, your car's vignette does not cover it.
Since August 2023 there has been an e-vignette. It is linked to your number plate, so there is nothing to stick on. You can buy it online through the official federal portal. Sticker vignettes are still sold at petrol stations, post offices and customs. If you are caught without a valid vignette you pay a CHF 200 fine and still have to buy the vignette.
Most Alpine passes are free. One exception is the Great St Bernard tunnel, which has its own toll.
Radar detectors and speed camera apps
Switzerland is stricter than most countries here: not only radar detectors are illegal, but also sat navs and apps that warn of speed cameras. Switch off the camera warning in your sat nav or phone app before the border. Devices that only serve as radar detectors must not be carried at all. Violations can lead to fines and confiscation of the device.
Traffic jams, filtering and the emergency corridor
Filtering and riding past traffic in jams are illegal in Switzerland, including for motorcycles. Since 2021 you have to form an emergency corridor on motorways and expressways when traffic backs up. You may not ride through it on a motorcycle, you stay in the queue like everyone else.
Noise: much stricter since 2025
Since 1 January 2025, causing avoidable noise has been explicitly prohibited. This includes needless revving at standstill, deliberate exhaust pops ("pop and bang") and modified exhaust systems. In the worst case, fines of up to CHF 10,000 are possible. During checks, the police measure the stationary noise directly at the exhaust and compare it with the type approval value.
There are no noise cameras in Switzerland in 2026: the National Council rejected the legal basis for them in summer 2026. There are also no noise-based pass closures like in Tyrol. Even so, passes with many residents and hikers are checked, and a quiet exhaust helps the image of all riders.
Helmet, lights and equipment
- Helmets are compulsory for rider and pillion.
- Daytime lights are mandatory.
- Hi-vis vest and warning triangle are not required on a motorcycle. A vest in your luggage is still useful if you break down on a pass.
- Phones only hands-free.
Tips for your Switzerland tour
- Check whether the passes are open before your tour. Many high Alpine passes only open in May or June and close in October.
- Stick to 80 km/h outside built-up areas. The bends invite you to open the throttle, checks are frequent and fines are high.
- Budget in francs: fuel, food and accommodation are much more expensive than in Germany or Austria.
- Good cornering technique helps on tight hairpins. The rules next door are in our guide to motorcycling in Austria.
Summary
Motorcycling in Switzerland is beautiful, but it is no place for speeding. Stick to 50, 80, 100 and 120 km/h, buy a separate vignette for your motorcycle, switch off camera warnings in your sat nav and leave your exhaust alone. Then the passes are what you remember from the tour, not the bill.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the motorcycle vignette in Switzerland?
CHF 40. It is valid from 1 December to 31 January of the following year. The motorcycle needs its own vignette, which is also available as an e-vignette.
Are speed camera apps legal in Switzerland?
No. Radar detectors as well as sat navs and apps that warn of speed checks are illegal. Switch off the warning function before the border.
How much does 10 km/h over the limit cost in Switzerland?
A net excess of 6 to 10 km/h costs CHF 120 in built-up areas, CHF 100 outside built-up areas and CHF 60 on the motorway.
Can I filter through traffic jams in Switzerland?
No. Filtering is illegal, and you may not ride through the emergency corridor on a motorcycle.
Are there noise cameras for motorcycles in Switzerland?
Not as of September 2026. Avoidable noise has been prohibited since 2025, however, and can cost up to CHF 10,000.
Sources
- Motorway vignette and e-vignette (TCS, German)
- Alcohol limits in Switzerland (TCS, German)
- Fixed Penalties Ordinance (Fedlex, federal law)
- Fixed fines (Bern cantonal police, German)
- When do you count as an extreme speeder? (Beobachter, German)
- Motorcycles in traffic jams and the emergency corridor (ADAC, German)
- Up to CHF 10,000 for noise (Motorradonline, German)
- Still no noise cameras in Switzerland (Lärmliga Schweiz, German)
Last checked: September 2026. Rules, prices and fines can change.