Speeding in Switzerland: tolerance, fines & licence withdrawal

Short answer: speeding in Switzerland

Caught by a speed camera? What counts is neither your speedometer nor the raw reading, but the speed after the tolerance deduction. Know these rules for everyday driving and the theory test:

• Tolerance (safety deduction): for radar measurements 5 km/h is deducted up to 100 km/h, 6 km/h from 101 to 150 km/h and 7 km/h from 151 km/h. For laser measurements it is 3, 4 and 5 km/h (Art. 8 VSKV-ASTRA).
• Fixed fine: up to 15 km/h over in built-up areas, 20 km/h outside built-up areas and 25 km/h on motorways you pay a fixed fine between CHF 20 and CHF 260 (OBV Annex 1 no. 303).
• Above that: a report, ordinary criminal proceedings and usually a warning or licence withdrawal.
• "Raser" (reckless speeding) article: 40 km/h over in a 30 zone, 50 km/h over where 50 applies, 60 km/h over where 80 applies or 80 km/h over on the motorway means a custodial sentence and at least two years without a licence (Art. 90 para. 3 and 4 SVG, Art. 16c para. 2 let. a^bis SVG).

Which limits apply where is explained in Speed limits in Switzerland. This article is about what happens when you exceed them.

The basics: speed limits and adapted speed

Under favourable road, traffic and visibility conditions the general limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside, 100 km/h on expressways and 120 km/h on motorways (Art. 4a para. 1 VRV). Signposted limits take precedence (Art. 4a para. 5 VRV); see our Swiss road signs overview. The limit is a maximum, not a target: speed must always be adapted to the vehicle, load, road, traffic and visibility (Art. 32 para. 1 SVG).

Speed camera tolerance: how much is deducted

The reading is first rounded down to a whole number, then a fixed safety deduction is applied (Art. 8 para. 1 VSKV-ASTRA):

• Radar: 5 km/h up to 100 km/h, 6 km/h from 101 to 150 km/h, 7 km/h from 151 km/h.
• Laser: 3, 4 and 5 km/h.
• Fixed radar in bends: 10 km/h up to 100 km/h, 14 km/h from 101 km/h.
• Moving radar (from a moving vehicle): 7, 8 and 9 km/h.
• Section control and threshold detectors (e.g. induction loops): 5, 6 and 7 km/h.
• Following without a calibrated system: 15 km/h up to 100 km/h, 15 % above.

All fines and measures below refer to this net value. There is no extra tolerance: 1 km/h net over the limit is already an offence.

Fixed fines: built-up areas, outside, motorway

• Built-up areas (including 30 zones and meeting zones): 1–5 km/h CHF 40; 6–10 km/h CHF 120; 11–15 km/h CHF 250.
• Outside built-up areas and expressways: 1–5 km/h CHF 40; 6–10 CHF 100; 11–15 CHF 160; 16–20 CHF 240.
• Motorways: 1–5 km/h CHF 20; 6–10 CHF 60; 11–15 CHF 120; 16–20 CHF 180; 21–25 CHF 260.

(OBV Annex 1 no. 303.) Beyond these ranges you are reported and the authority sets the fine case by case (Art. 90 para. 1 SVG); there is no fixed tariff. A serious violation creating a serious danger to others can mean up to three years' custody or a monetary penalty (Art. 90 para. 2 SVG).

Worked examples

• 30 zone, radar reads 50: 50 − 5 = 45, i.e. 15 km/h over: fixed fine CHF 250.
• 30 zone, laser reads 50: 50 − 3 = 47, i.e. 17 km/h over: report and usually a warning.
• Built-up area 50, radar reads 62: 57 km/h net, 7 over: CHF 120.
• Outside 80, radar reads 99: 94 km/h net, 14 over: CHF 160.
• Motorway 120, radar reads 141: 141 − 6 = 135, 15 over: CHF 120. With laser (137 net, 17 over): CHF 180.

Warning or licence withdrawal: the thresholds

Based on consistent Federal Supreme Court case law, cantons (e.g. Zurich, Aargau, Lucerne) generally order the following for a first offence (net values):

• Built-up areas: up to 15 km/h no measure; 16–20 warning (Art. 16a SVG); 21–24 at least 1 month withdrawal (Art. 16b SVG); 25+ at least 3 months (Art. 16c SVG).
• Outside and expressways: up to 20 no measure; 21–25 warning; 26–29 at least 1 month; 30+ at least 3 months.
• Motorways: up to 25 no measure; 26–30 warning; 31–34 at least 1 month; 35+ at least 3 months.

A warning is only possible if there was no withdrawal or other administrative measure in the previous two years; otherwise even a minor offence means at least one month (Art. 16a para. 2 and 3 SVG). Repeat offences lead to longer minimum periods (Art. 16b para. 2 and 16c para. 2 SVG).

Reckless speeding ("Raser" article)

A particularly gross breach of the speed limit means exceeding it by at least 40 km/h where the limit is at most 30, 50 km/h where it is at most 50, 60 km/h where it is at most 80 and 80 km/h where it is above 80 (Art. 90 para. 4 SVG). The penalty is one to four years in custody (Art. 90 para. 3 SVG); since October 2023 courts may go below the minimum if there are mitigating circumstances, and may impose a monetary penalty if there has been no conviction in the last ten years for a road traffic offence endangering others (para. 3^bis and 3^ter). The licence is withdrawn for at least two years, reducible by up to twelve months if the sentence was under one year (Art. 16c para. 2 let. a^bis SVG).

Learner and probationary licence

If a probationary licence is withdrawn for a medium or serious offence, the probation period is extended by one year; a further such offence during probation cancels the licence (Art. 15a para. 3 and 4 SVG). A new learner licence is then possible only after one year and with a positive traffic-psychology assessment (Art. 15a para. 5 SVG). In built-up areas, 21 km/h net over is enough. Read more in Probationary licence in Switzerland, Learner licence in Switzerland and Swiss alcohol limits.

Why a few km/h matter

According to the BFU (Swiss Council for Accident Prevention), 27 % of fatal accidents are due to excessive speed and around 60 people die from it each year; one in eight serious road accidents in Switzerland is caused by excessive speed. Average reaction time is about two seconds: at 80 km/h you travel 44 metres before you even start braking. See Safe following distance, Phone while driving and Pedestrian crossings.

Typical exam traps

• "5 km/h over is allowed": wrong. The tolerance only offsets measuring uncertainty.
• "Below the limit I am always fine": wrong. Speed must suit the conditions (Art. 32 para. 1 SVG).
• "The higher of sign and general limit applies": wrong. Signposted limits take precedence.
• Probation: a withdrawal adds one year; a second medium or serious offence cancels the licence.

Practise the traffic rules

See How many questions are in the theory test?, our Swiss traffic rules page and, if needed, Failed the theory test. Start with the free demo, read how to study for the theory test online, or unlock all questions on the pricing page.

FAQ

How much tolerance do Swiss speed cameras allow?
Radar: 5 km/h up to 100 km/h, 6 km/h from 101 to 150, 7 km/h above. Laser: 3, 4 and 5 km/h (Art. 8 VSKV-ASTRA).

What does 50 km/h in a 30 zone cost?
With radar, 45 km/h net (15 over): CHF 250. With laser, 47 km/h net (17 over): report and usually a warning.

When is the licence withdrawn?
For a first offence generally from 21 km/h net over in built-up areas, 26 outside and 31 on motorways (at least one month); from 25, 30 and 35 km/h at least three months.

What are motorway speeding fines?
CHF 20, 60, 120, 180 and 260 for 1–5, 6–10, 11–15, 16–20 and 21–25 km/h net over; beyond that you are reported.

Sources

• Road Traffic Act (SVG, SR 741.01): Art. 15a, 16a, 16b, 16c, 32, 90; Traffic Rules Ordinance (VRV, SR 741.11): Art. 4a
• FEDRO ordinance on road traffic controls (VSKV-ASTRA, SR 741.013.1): Art. 8; Fixed Penalties Ordinance (OBV, SR 314.11): Annex 1 no. 303
• Cantons of Zurich, Aargau and Lucerne (administrative measures for speeding); BFU (speed on the road; media release on speeding)

Note: Not legal advice; the applicable legislation and the individual case are decisive.

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