Blue zone in Switzerland: how to set the parking disc & how long you may park

Short answer: how the blue zone works in Switzerland

Blue parking bays are found in almost every Swiss town. For everyday driving and for the theory test, know these rules:

• The blue zone is marked by the signal "Parking with parking disc" (4.18) without any extra time limit, and the bays are painted blue (Art. 48a para. 2 let. a and Art. 79 para. 2 SSV).
• Parking time is limited on working days from 08.00 to 19.00. On Sundays and public holidays it only applies if an additional panel says so.
• Set the arrow of the parking disc to the next mark after your actual arrival time and do not change it until you drive off (Art. 48a para. 3 SSV).
• You may usually park for one hour; special rules apply at lunchtime and overnight (Annex 3 no. 1 SSV).
• In cars the disc must be clearly visible behind the windscreen (Art. 48a para. 4 SSV).

What is the blue zone?

An area where you may park free of charge but only for a limited time. If signal 4.18 has no additional time panel, it is the blue zone: on working days between 08.00 and 19.00 the parking disc governs how long you may stay. Parking means leaving the vehicle for any purpose other than letting people in or out or loading goods (Art. 19 para. 1 VRV). The difference is explained in stopping and parking in Switzerland.

Where bays are marked, you may only park inside them (Art. 79 para. 6 SSV). The start and end of a blue zone can also be marked with a white-and-blue double transverse line (6.24), the blue line on the inside. Signals are covered in Swiss traffic signs.

Saturday and Sunday

The ordinance refers to working days. According to the Bern cantonal police and the City of Zurich, that means Monday to Saturday, so you need the disc on Saturdays too. On Sundays and public holidays the limit only applies if an additional panel shows it.

Setting the disc and how long you may stay

The disc only shows full and half hours, so you set it to the mark after your arrival. Example: arrive at 09.10, set 09.30, leave by 10.30. Under Annex 3 no. 1 SSV:

• Arrival 08.00–11.29 and 13.30–17.59: one hour from the set time.
• Arrival 11.30–13.29: set the next mark; you may stay until 14.30.
• Arrival 17.30–17.59: set 18.00; leave by 19.00.
• Arrival 18.00–07.59: set the next mark; you may stay until 09.00 the next morning.

Between 19.00 and 07.59 you do not need to display the disc if you leave before 08.00.

Signal 4.18 with a time panel

If an additional panel shows a maximum time, that limit applies instead (minimum half an hour, Art. 48a para. 2 let. b SSV). When parking time is limited, you must leave the space by the end of the permitted time (Art. 48 para. 3 SSV). Exceptions for user groups such as residents with a parking permit are shown on the signal or an additional panel (Art. 48 para. 4 SSV).

Which disc, and can you reset it?

The disc design is prescribed: at least 11 cm wide and 15 cm high, blue front with a white arrow (Annex 3 no. 1 SSV). A handwritten note is not enough, and the City of Zurich states that electronic discs are not allowed there. You may not change the setting until you drive off (Art. 48a para. 3 SSV); the Bern police add that you may not re-park in the same street without first rejoining traffic.

Fines

Under Annex 1 of the Fixed Penalties Ordinance (OBV): exceeding the parking time up to 2 hours CHF 40, over 2 to 4 hours CHF 60, over 4 to 10 hours CHF 100; disc missing or not clearly visible, wrong arrival time, or changing the time without leaving: CHF 40 each.

Common test traps

• Arrive at 14.05: set 14.30, not 14.00.
• Saturday is a working day.
• Lunchtime arrival (11.30–13.29) means you may stay until 14.30.
• General parking bans still apply, e.g. within 20 m of level crossings (Art. 19 para. 2 VRV), see level crossings in Switzerland.

Practise real questions with the free demo, read how to learn for the theory test online, review Swiss traffic rules, or unlock full access on the pricing page.

Sources

• Signalling Ordinance (SSV, SR 741.21): Art. 48, 48a, 48b, 79, Annex 3 no. 1
• Traffic Rules Ordinance (VRV, SR 741.11): Art. 19
• Fixed Penalties Ordinance (OBV, SR 314.11): Annex 1 no. 200, 202, 203, 252
• Bern cantonal police; City of Zurich (blue zone pages)

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