Swiss Vignette Guidance & Vehicle Eligibility
Avoid CHF 200 fines – get definitive Swiss vignette guidance for every vehicle type, ensuring your cross-border journey is always compliant and worry-free. This website is developed in compliance with Google Ads and Bing Ads guidelines and fully follows them.
Complete Swiss Vignette Requirements by Vehicle Type
Navigating Swiss motorway regulations can be complex, but ViaTrip makes it simple. Our comprehensive guide details the specific vignette requirements for cars, motorcycles, trailers, and commercial vehicles, ensuring you understand exactly what applies to your journey.
Cars & Light Vehicles (< 3.5t)
For standard passenger vehicles, the annual Swiss motorway vignette is mandatory. It covers all national motorways and expressways marked with white-on-green signs. The vignette is valid for 14 months, from December 1st of the preceding year to January 31st of the following year. One vignette per vehicle is required.
Placement: Affix visibly to the inside of the windshield, typically top-left or behind the rearview mirror. Do not use tape or removable adhesives.
Purchase: Available at border crossings, post offices, petrol stations, and online (e-vignette currently optional for specific situations, but physical is standard).
Motorcycles
Motorcycles also require a valid vignette for use on Swiss motorways. The validity period and cost are identical to car vignettes. It's crucial for the vignette to be placed securely and visibly.
Placement: Affix to a non-removable part of the motorcycle, such as the windshield, fork, or frame, in a clearly visible and non-obscured manner. Ensure it won't peel off due to weather or speed.
Purchase: Same points of sale as car vignettes.
Trailers & Caravans
If your trailer or caravan is attached to a vehicle that requires a vignette, the trailer itself also needs its own separate vignette, regardless of its weight. This applies whether it's a small utility trailer or a large recreational caravan.
Placement: Affix to a non-removable, easily visible part of the trailer, such as the drawbar or side window. It must be clearly visible from the outside.
Considerations: Double vignette purchase is often overlooked, leading to fines.
Commercial & Heavy Vehicles (> 3.5t)
Vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes, including trucks, buses, and heavy commercial vehicles, do not use the sticker vignette. Instead, they are subject to the Heavy Vehicle Charge (LSVA - Leistungsabhängige Schwerverkehrsabgabe) based on mileage, weight, and emission class. This is collected via on-board units or declaration forms.
Compliance: Fleet operators should consult specific LSVA guidelines. ViaTrip offers specialized fleet compliance briefings for SMEs.
For standard passenger vehicles, the annual Swiss motorway vignette is mandatory. It covers all national motorways and expressways marked with white-on-green signs. The vignette is valid for 14 months, from December 1st of the preceding year to January 31st of the following year. One vignette per vehicle is required.
Placement: Affix visibly to the inside of the windshield, typically top-left or behind the rearview mirror. Do not use tape or removable adhesives.
Purchase: Available at border crossings, post offices, petrol stations, and online (e-vignette currently optional for specific situations, but physical is standard).
Motorcycles also require a valid vignette for use on Swiss motorways. The validity period and cost are identical to car vignettes. It's crucial for the vignette to be placed securely and visibly.
Placement: Affix to a non-removable part of the motorcycle, such as the windshield, fork, or frame, in a clearly visible and non-obscured manner. Ensure it won't peel off due to weather or speed.
Purchase: Same points of sale as car vignettes.
If your trailer or caravan is attached to a vehicle that requires a vignette, the trailer itself also needs its own separate vignette, regardless of its weight. This applies whether it's a small utility trailer or a large recreational caravan.
Placement: Affix to a non-removable, easily visible part of the trailer, such as the drawbar or side window. It must be clearly visible from the outside.
Considerations: Double vignette purchase is often overlooked, leading to fines.
Vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes, including trucks, buses, and heavy commercial vehicles, do not use the sticker vignette. Instead, they are subject to the Heavy Vehicle Charge (LSVA - Leistungsabhängige Schwerverkehrsabgabe) based on mileage, weight, and emission class. This is collected via on-board units or declaration forms.
Compliance: Fleet operators should consult specific LSVA guidelines. ViaTrip offers specialized fleet compliance briefings for SMEs.
Where and How to Buy Your Swiss Vignette
Securing your Swiss motorway vignette is a straightforward process, whether you prefer to purchase it in advance or upon arrival. Here's a breakdown of your options to ensure a smooth acquisition.
Physical Vignette Purchase
The traditional sticker vignette is widely available at numerous points:
- Swiss border crossings (customs offices)
- Most petrol stations in Switzerland and near borders
- Post offices throughout Switzerland
- Automobile clubs (e.g., TCS in Switzerland, ADAC in Germany)
Price: CHF 40 (standard annual vignette)
Payment: Cash (CHF, EUR often accepted at borders), credit/debit cards.Online & Digital Vignette (E-vignette)
As of August 1, 2023, the e-vignette is officially available, offering greater flexibility (not tied to a specific vehicle but to its license plate). This is purchased directly online:
- Official Swiss Federal Customs Office website (EZV) - look for "E-Vignette Schweiz"
Price: CHF 40 (same as physical vignette)
Payment: Credit cards, TWINT, other common online payment methods. Activated immediately.We recommend checking the official EZV website for the most current e-vignette details and requirements as they evolve.
Correct Vignette Placement and Display
Improper placement of your physical vignette is one of the most common reasons for fines. Ensure full compliance with our visual guide for correct display.
Cars & Light Vehicles
Correct: Affix directly to the inside of the windshield, typically on the top-left side (from driver's perspective) or behind the rearview mirror. Ensure it's fully visible from the outside and not obscured by tinting or other stickers.
Incorrect: Do NOT tape it, place it on a side window, or store it in the glove compartment. This is considered non-compliant and can result in a fine.
Motorcycles, Trailers & Commercial Vehicles
Motorcycles: Securely affix to a non-removable part of the motorcycle, such as the fork tube, swinging arm, or a sturdy frame component, where it is clearly visible and won't peel off at speed.
Trailers/Caravans: For trailers requiring their own vignette, place it visibly on the drawbar or a non-removable part of the trailer's front. It must be easily seen by authorities checking from the towing vehicle.
Commercial Vehicles: While most heavy commercial vehicles use the LSVA system, for those that still fall under vignette rules (e.g., smaller commercial vans), follow car placement guidelines.
Rental Car Vignette Responsibilities
Renting a car for your Swiss adventure? Understanding whose responsibility the vignette is can save you unexpected fines. While many rental companies include it, always verify.
Typically, rental cars picked up in Switzerland already have a valid annual vignette. However, cars rented from neighboring countries (e.g., Germany, France, Italy) may NOT include one. Always confirm with your rental company at the time of booking or pick-up. Read your rental agreement carefully.
If your rental car, especially from outside Switzerland, lacks a valid vignette and you plan to use Swiss motorways, it is YOUR responsibility to purchase one. Do so before entering any motorway areas to avoid fines. You can purchase one at the border as you enter Switzerland.
Before driving off in your rental:
- Inspect the windshield for a current year's Swiss vignette (small sticker, usually green or yellow for the current year, placed cleanly).
- Ask the rental agent directly about vignette inclusion for travel in Switzerland.
- Keep a copy of your rental agreement accessible, especially for cross-border rentals.
Commercial Vehicle and Fleet Vignette Rules
For businesses operating fleets into or through Switzerland, understanding the specific regulations is paramount. While many heavy vehicles fall under LSVA, smaller commercial vans and trailers may still require traditional vignettes.
Heavy Vehicle Charge (LSVA) for > 3.5t
Vehicles with a total weight over 3.5 tonnes, including lorries, articulated vehicles, buses, and coaches, are subject to the performance-related heavy vehicle charge (LSVA). This charge is calculated based on distance driven in Switzerland, permissible total weight, and emission level of the vehicle.
- Calculation: Factors include kilometers traveled, vehicle category, and emission class.
- Collection: Typically through on-board recording devices (e.g., Emotach) or manual declaration at customs.
- Purpose: Contributes to road maintenance and infrastructure development.
ViaTrip provides specialized guidance and briefings for fleet managers to navigate the complexities of LSVA and ensure seamless cross-border operations.
Vignettes for Lighter Commercial Vehicles
Commercial vehicles with a total weight up to 3.5 tonnes (e.g., many delivery vans, small work trucks) are treated similarly to passenger cars and require the standard annual Swiss vignette.
- Requirement: Standard annual vignette (physical or e-vignette).
- Trailers: Any trailer towed by these vehicles also requires its own separate vignette.
- Bulk Purchase: While no official bulk discount exists for standard vignettes, streamlined purchasing processes can be advised by compliance experts.
For tailored fleet compliance solutions and advice on optimizing your cross-border logistics, contact our specialists.
Avoid These Common Vignette Violations
A small oversight can lead to a significant fine. Be aware of the most frequent reasons for non-compliance and how to prevent them.
Incorrect Placement
Placing the vignette on a side window, taping it, or keeping it in the glove compartment. The vignette must be directly adhered to the windshield and fully visible.
Prevention: Refer to our visual guide for precise placement.
Outdated Vignette
Using a vignette from a previous year (valid until Jan 31st of the following year). Each year requires a new vignette.
Prevention: Always purchase the current year's vignette. Set a reminder for annual renewal.
Missing Second Vignette (Trailer)
Forgetting to buy a separate vignette for a trailer or caravan being towed, even if the primary vehicle has one.
Prevention: Always remember: vehicle + trailer = two vignettes required.
Fines for non-compliance can be up to CHF 200, plus the cost of purchasing a valid vignette on the spot.
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