Switzerland, although not a member of the European Union or the European Economic Area, lies in a strategic location, connecting the north and south of Europe. Its location means that it plays an important role in transit traffic and makes it an important point on the European transportation map.
We’ve already covered the topic of traffic regulations in Switzerland on our blog – describing the Swiss fines system in detail. In today’s article, we will be looking at truck driving bans. You will learn when restrictions apply and how to take advantage of exemptions to the driving ban. Keep reading for the latest regulations!
What vehicles are affected by the bans?
Driving bans in Switzerland apply to vehicles of larger size and weight, covering the entire road infrastructure.
Restrictions cover the following categories of vehicles:
- trucks with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tons,
- trucks with trailers and truck tractors with semi-trailers, if their gross vehicle weight exceeds 5 tons.
What are the French driving ban dates in Switzerland in 2025?
In 2025, truck driving bans in Switzerland will apply in the same way as in previous years. These restrictions will be in effect on holidays and on Sundays, from 00:00 to 24:00.
The driving ban will also be in effect daily from 22:00 to 05:00.
The holidays calendar in 2025 looks as follows:
- 1 January – New Year,
- 18 April – Good Friday (excluding the cantons of Valais and Ticino),
- 21 April – Easter Monday (excluding the canton of Ticino),
- 29 May – Ascension,
- 9 June – Pentecost (excluding the canton of Valais),
- 1 August – Swiss Confederation Founding Day,
- 25 and 26 December – Christmas.
In Switzerland, each of the 26 cantons has a great deal of autonomy and the right to set its own regulations, including holidays, as a result of the federal system of government and administrative structure. Some cantons may therefore also celebrate other holidays, such as 1 May, for example.
Which Sundays and holidays are covered by a permanent driving ban in Switzerland?
Summary: Truck driving bans in Switzerland have a fixed timeframe – they apply every Sunday and on public holidays. The aforementioned bans apply, regardless of cantons, from 00:00 a.m. to 24:00. Restrictions also apply every night from 22:00 to 05:00.
One should also bear in mind that cantonal bans during the holiday season do not apply to transit traffic.
What are the driving ban exceptions in Switzerland?
A permit is necessary to take advantage of the exceptions to the bans. An application for such a document must be submitted to the canton where the vehicle is registered or where the transport begins.
What is the procedure for foreign vehicles? The application must be sent at least 7 working days before the start of transport to the Federal Road Office:
c/o Schadenwehr Göschenen
Postfach
CH – 6487 Göschenen
Tel: (+41) 41 885 03 20
e-mail: sonderbewilligung@astra.admin.ch