Driving a car – safely and economically

Annual costs
The annual cost of running a vehicle can far exceed the purchase price and can quickly add up to several thousand francs.

Fuel prices
Apart from crude oil prices, other factors influence the price of petrol and diesel.

Motorway tax sticker
If you want to drive on motorways, you’ll need a motorway vignette. Keep an eye out for special offers – you can save quite a few francs.

Motor vehicle tax
You are required to pay an annual motor vehicle tax to your canton of residence for every registered vehicle.

Traffic rules
On the motorway, you can overtake on the right but you must observe the zipper merge system. Familiarize yourself with the latest traffic rules.

Fines
Speeding is dangerous and expensive. Comparis explains which fines apply and what constitutes a serious speeding offence.

Hit-and-run incidents
In the event of an accident, all the parties involved must stop immediately. Fleeing the scene is a punishable crime.

Alcohol
Drink-driving is severely punished in Switzerland. Since 2014, new drivers may not drink at all if they are driving.

Listening to music
Do you like listening to loud music when driving? If so, you may be found partially at fault if you are involved in an accident.

Attaching a sat nav
If you attach a GPS device to your windscreen, you risk a hefty fine – and may even lose your driving licence.

CO₂ regulations
Switzerland introduced CO₂ emissions regulations for new cars in 2012.