Amendments to the Swiss Road Traffic Act effective from 2024

We have compiled an overview of the most important changes in Swiss road traffic rules that will become effective this year.

From 1 January 2024

Vehicle tax for electric vehicles
Preferential tax treatment (on the import price) will no longer be granted.
Registration of vehicles from small and direct importers
If a vehicle exceeds a certain CO2 target (LINK) when it is first registered, a penalty will be imposed by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), which must also be paid to the SFOE.
Classification of energy efficiency classes
With the update of the CO2 emission regulations, certain vehicle models now fall into a different class.
The average CO2 emissions of passenger cars registered for the first time in Switzerland – based on WLTP data – is now 122 g/km (2023: 129 g/km and 2022: 149 g/km).
In our neighbouring countries (selection):
- Germany:
  The police agreement on the enforcement of fines in Switzerland is tightened.
- Austria
  Prices for vignettes are adjusted and a “daily vignette” is introduced.

Revocation of a driver’s licence:
During a revocation of the driver’s or learner’s licence, it is now no longer possible to issue an ID category that would have had to be revoked if it had already been acquired before the revocation.
Practical driving test (applies to categories A and B)
The time spent driving on public roads during the driving test is increased to at least 45 minutes.
Traffic medicine
The age limit for first-time driver’s or learner’s licences is now 75 years.
People who already have a driver’s or learner’s licence no longer need to take an eye test to obtain a new category. The change also applies to a professional licence category.

Change to safety standards for new cars
New driver assistance systems will become mandatory. These systems support the driver with regard to emergency braking, drowsiness, reversing, turning in traffic or distraction. An accident data recorder must also be installed in new vehicles.
E-bikes
New e-bikes that are put on the road must be fitted with a speedometer.
E-bikes that are already on the road must be retrofitted by 1 April 2027.

“Blue” driver’s licence
The blue driver’s licence is only valid until 31 October 2024 and must be exchanged through the relevant road traffic office by this date at the latest.

Published at January 25, 2024

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January 25, 2024