Swiss traffic fines: OBV rates, tolerance, racers

Too fast — what does it cost? In Switzerland the fixed-penalty ordinance (OBV) sets down to the franc which excess triggers which amount. Three things decide: where you drove, how much too fast you were after the tolerance deduction — and whether the racer threshold is reached.

Urban: 40, 120, 250 — then prosecution

• 1–5 km/h too fast: CHF 40
• 6–10 km/h too fast: CHF 120
• 11–15 km/h too fast: CHF 250
• From 16 km/h: no more fixed fine, but prosecution with a warning and a heavier monetary penalty.

Rural roads and motorways

• Rural: CHF 40, 100, 160 (up to 20 km/h), then prosecution.
• Motorway: CHF 20, 60, 120, 180, 260 (up to 25 km/h), then prosecution.
• Rule of thumb: the faster the road, the more lenient the lower brackets — but the jumps after are steep.

The tolerance deduction: measured is not driven

No device measures exactly. Depending on the method, 3–7 km/h are deducted; only the speed after deduction counts. Example: 57 km/h measured in a 50 zone, minus 5 km/h tolerance = 52 km/h → 2 km/h excess → CHF 40. Those just above the next bracket benefit most.

Racer offences and Via sicura: when it gets serious

A racer is anyone driving +40 in a 30 zone, +50 in a 50 zone, +60 on rural roads or +80 on motorways. Consequence: custodial or heavy monetary sentence plus licence withdrawal of at least one year. Since Via sicura, alcohol, red lights and phones at the wheel are also punished severely.

Foreign plates and rentals: what applies

• EU fines into Switzerland: Switzerland generally does not enforce foreign fines — but at entry you may be invited to pay at the border.
• Swiss fines abroad: small amounts under about CHF 70 are often dropped; above that, enforcement in the home country looms.
• Rental cars: the rental company passes the fine on — plus CHF 30–50 handling per case. Drive exemplarily in rentals.
• Probationary licence: in the first three years, lower alcohol limit (0.1 ‰) and harsher sanctions.

Repeat offenders: from warning to withdrawal

Once is expensive — twice is existential. The escalation ladder:

• First light offence: warning (yellow letter) plus fine; no follow-up with good behaviour.
• Repeat within two years: withdrawal for at least a month, even for mid-level offences.
• Serious cases: withdrawal for months to years, traffic-psychology conditions, in extremes licence confiscation.
• Probation: with a probationary licence you lose it faster and must repeat the further training.

Mini case: 57 instead of 50 — what really happens

Ms K. is measured at 57 km/h in town (50 allowed). Laser measurement: 3 km/h tolerance → relevant 54 km/h → 4 km/h excess → CHF 40. With radar (5 km/h tolerance): 52 km/h → 2 km/h → likewise CHF 40. At 63 km/h on the dial (58 or 60 after deduction), she would hit the CHF 120 bracket or the edge of CHF 250. Takeaway: from 60 measured km/h in town it quickly turns three-digit — lifting off pays measurably.

Recalculate your case with our traffic fine calculator, and if changing canton also plan moving costs with SwissCalc.