Penalties for speeding in Switzerland
New: Current bus table & OBV limits
Not every speeding offense leads directly to costly criminal proceedings. Many violations can be dealt with simply and discreetly via the administrative fine procedure (OBV) – without a driving license being withdrawn.
In our latest update, we have summarized the current rates for 2025/2026 – including the important thresholds for 30 km/h zones and freeways.
Would you like to know what you could face if you break the speed limit?
👉 To the article: Bus table Switzerland: What does speeding cost?
Speeding is punished very severely in Switzerland. Even minor speeding violations can lead to severe penalties as well as warnings or driving disqualifications. But when does it really become critical?
Differentiation between criminal and administrative proceedings
In the case of speeding violations, there are usually two procedures opened. On the one hand a Criminal proceedings before the criminal prosecution authoritiesand may be fined or penalized. In addition, a Administrative measures procedure at the road traffic officein which the latter examines the withdrawal of a license.
📌 Administrative measures for various speeding offenses in accordance with the Road Traffic Act (SVG)
📌 In urban areas:
- +1 to 15 km/h → no administrative measure
- +16 to 20 km/h → Warning
- +21 to 24 km/h → At least 1 month driving disqualification
- +25 km/h or more → at least 3 months driving disqualification
📌 Out of town and on the highway:
- +1 to 20 km/h → no administrative measure
- +21 to 25 km/h → Warning
- +26 to 29 km/h → At least 1 month driving disqualification
- +30 km/h or more → At least 3 months driving disqualification
📌 highway (120 km/h permitted):
- +1 to 25 km/h → no administrative measure
- +26 to 30 km/h → Warning
- +31 to 34 km/h → At least 1 month driving disqualification
- +35 km/h or more → At least 3 months driving disqualification
📌 Speeding offenses: The harshest punishment for speeding offenders
According to Art. 90 para. 3 SVG is a speeding offense if:
- In urban areas: +50 km/h over the limit
- Out of town: +60 km/h over the limit
- Freeway: +80 km/h over the limit
The penalties are drastic:
✅ Fine or prison sentence (at least 1 year)
✅ Possibility of vehicle confiscation
✅ At least 2 years driving disqualification
📌 Conclusion:
The penalties for speeding in Switzerland are extremely strict and the consequences drastic. Anyone who has received a penalty should check whether an appeal is possible.
📌 Our lawyers for road traffic law can help you.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about speeding fines and driving disqualifications
In Switzerland, two separate proceedings are usually initiated for speeding offenses: Criminal proceedings at the public prosecutor’s office, which result in a fine or penalty, and an independent administrative procedure at the road traffic office, which decides whether to revoke a driver’s license.
In urban areas, your driver’s license will be revoked for at least one month if you drive 21 km/h or more too fast. If you exceed 25 km/h, your license will be revoked for at least three months.
On the highway (maximum speed 120 km/h) you will receive a warning if you are 26-30 km/h too fast. Your driver’s license will be revoked for at least one month if you exceed the speed limit by 31-34 km/h and for at least three months if you exceed the speed limit by 35 km/h or more.
A speeding offense is committed if the speed limit is exceeded as follows:
In urban areas: by 50 km/h or more
Out of town: by 60 km/h or more
Motorway: by 80 km/h or more
The penalties for speeding offenses are drastic. A fine or prison sentence of at least one year may be imposed. The driver’s license is revoked for at least two years and the vehicle can be confiscated.
Matthias Fricker
Attorney at law and partner at Fricker and Füllemann Attorneys at Law
Studied at the University of St. Gallen, graduating with a Master in Law (M.A. HSG in Law) in 2012, registered in the Bar Register of the Canton of Zurich, member of the Zurich Bar Association.
Fabian Füllemann
Attorney at law and partner at Fricker and Füllemann Attorneys at Law
Studied at the Universities of St. Gallen and Zurich, graduating with a Master of Law UZH in 2013, registered with the Zurich Bar Registry, member of the Zurich Bar Association.
