Driving in Switzerland from the UK

Driving in Switzerland is quite different to driving in the UK, not least because you drive on the other side of the road. In this video I cover some of the different rules including speed limits and priority to help prepare you for driving in Switzerland from the UK.
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The makers of this video cannot be held liable for any consequences caused by any information that is in any way inaccurate, misleading or missing. The makers of this video are not liable for any person's driving other than their own, it is the responsibility of the person driving a vehicle to ensure they drive safely and within the law.
00:00 Age and what you need
03:14 Tolls
03:24 Speed limits
04:22 Phones and speed camera detection
04:40 Alcohol
05:11 Priority
06:08 Children
06:24 Road signs
07:00 Parking
07:34 Accident rates
08:02 Horn and flashing lights
08:20 Traffic lights
08:39 Winter tyres
09:07 Turning right at traffic lights
09:19 Low emissions zone
09:46 Emergency number
09:58 Fuels and language
11:17 Road quality
12:12 Driving on the right
13:00 Road markings
13:23 Outro

[@fredbunzli4617]

13min 20sec: It is correct. You have to give way to the right. Regards from CH

[@AlistairRutherford95]

Thanks, this is the best driving in Switzerland as a U.K. expat I have viewed.

[@foty8679]

13:14 The situtation is pretty clear. No sign and no light signal this means you have to give way to the right.

[@thebaker8637]

In general in German-speaking countries those dashed lines can be put anywhere to remind drivers to VERIFY whether they have priority, ie. that you MAY need to yield to traffic beyond the line. This can be put in eg. right turning lanes where you may need to give way to pedestrians or cyclists at an uncontrolled stopping. It’s a natural extension of the dashed lines in the middle of the road. This is a Swiss-specific variation on this theme that’s used at uncontrolled junctions to remind all drivers that they don’t have automatic priority when crossing the line, ie. that right hand rule applies.

[@bleachit42]

wowwwww awesome roads, beautiful country, nice mx-5, pretty girl- I am jealous on so many levels! Great video, super informative and enjoyable vicarious driving

[@RichardFanders]

Thank you, I showed your comment to Gosia and she was very happy to read it.

[@andreapuddu2320]

I'm waiting for the Italian one :) However the line in the middle of the intersection helps you how to turn the intersection, because you have to keep them on the left side of your car, as you did perfectly, there are also in Italy we call them " strisce di guida" in english I think is " guide strips or guidelines ".

[@RichardFanders]

Thank you.

[@xdbxlsilvio3681]

Your channel is totally underrated I once had a Mx 5 ND but sold it Now im in search of one again, since i miss it so hard and no car has given me this feeling back.

[@doughunt9621]

Third time comment on these videos. Note that the UK does not all have the same alcohol limit, it is the same in Scotland as in France, Germany and Switzerland. Also to clarify, you do not need a vignette to drive in Switzerland, you can drive on ordinary roads without one. You do need one for travelling on the motorways, and also some of the bypasses and tunnels. This often means driving through towns and making slow progress. Nearly £40 to use the motorways just to travel from, say, Kolenz to the Swiss/Austrian border is far too expensive, and is at least part of the reason I tend to avoid Switzerland.

[@sebg2678]

I guess you haven't driven in the Canton of Ticino (Italian speaking part) yet. I urge you to try it one day. You'll want to retract your statement that "People respect each other", "People give each other space", "People drive well" 🤣🤣. That form of courtesy doesn't extend down south mate. I guess it's the Italian hot bloodedness that comes out. For the most part, once you get out the other side of the Gotthard Tunnel (German side). You can see the driving etiquette change drastically. Cheers

[@flyingcat8160]

Great and interesting series to watch to learn many useful information, thx a lot

[@christheswiss390]

Wow, you REALLY take correct and detailed information seriously. That's meant as a compliment!

[@orcnys]

This series is great, thank you so much Richard, you are the ultimate go-to youtube source for the UK driving.

[@Harryd06]

really enjoying this series! i like how much detail you go into on cars and stuff, also appricate how good the learning to drive videos are and the fact your into cars is awesome!

[@EarthKuma]

In Switzerland the insurance can refuse to pay for any accident if the appropriate tyre is not used. 13:03 the line mean junction with equal importance. Give way to the traffic on the right or traffic that is already on the junction.

[@PeterD-cb3lx]

Very informative, thanks for uploading. Especially the Crit d’Air, give way signage stuff. Sweet 👍🏽

[@marekadboy]

this is what you call attention to detail! Welldone!!👏👏

[@bondshubham45]

I saw all your videos. And this is great because you don’t give links to your other videos where you say almost the same things. This is good content. Thanks

[@No_Rice_No_Power]

Very clearly spoken and to the point, exactly what is needed in such a video. Perfect.

[@GordonHeaney]

These are the most useful driving in Europe videos I have seen. We are driving through seven countries next month and this has been very informative.

[@niallwood]

Whilst I'm not planning on driving in mainland Europe for the foreseeable future, I really appreciate the detail these videos give. Should I ever be preparing for a European road trip, these will be my first go to points! Safe travels Richard!

[@aleksandarcvetkovic5657]

Excellent video. Many greetings from Serbia for the best driving instructor.

[@petemartin7589]

Nice video mate. Very informative. I have toured around Europe for three weeks at a time twice now. Did not bother with the headlight converters because I never drove at night. Got lucky really. Still have my vignette on the screen from 2018 😂

[@aliimran5503]

watching your videos/channel worth mate. your videos can be helpful for anyone at any point of life in EU

[@SarahJonestoo]

Fabulous and very helpful. Thank you!

[@markbray2988]

Very informative video, as a Brit residing in Suisse I agree with most of what you conclude regarding safety with the exception of Highway driving where the Swiss tend to drive too offensively and with no apparent regard for the two second rule! Their insistence on hanging on to your back bumper causes one to experience the Domino principal far too often... Not to mention regular multi vehicle pile ups, particularly in the canton where I reside. Top tip! keep your distance on the Highway.

[@mikuelable]

Love your videos I watch driving rules around the Japan & Australia is pretty weird but sensible

[@Jupiter12.000]

I passed my License in Switzerland on The April 14th 2022 On The 1st Try🤙🤙🤙😜😜😜😜🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘 In Zug Glad that you Visited Switzerland Richard

[@RichardFanders]

That's great news! Congratulations on passing. Seealpsee and much of Switzerland is very beautiful.

[@dexterreyes9372]

That is really helpful as I'm about to take driving seriously here. I canceled my test because I was seriously not ready.

[@edombre4637]

some years ago, whilst visiting switzerland, a friend gave me a ride to another city in switzerland on their highway, and I was amazed how he travelled at 180km/h. I think he must have known where the speed traps were.

[@LEF13]

13:10 -> Where ever you have these intersection Lines as discussed in the video and no signs , you have to give way to the right. if the Town sign ( name if the current town you drive into) is white you have to give way to the right also. but if the town sign is blue you are on the main road and have the right of way.

[@LeoStep93]

Hi Richard! Enjoy your driving lessons on the main channel and just subbed to this channel! Great vid. Greetings from a Ukrainian in Czechia!

[@RichardFanders]

Thank you. I hope you and your family are well.

[@leihoa]

No idea why I watched this (I live in Switzerland but have no car), but I totally enjoyed it - the way you articulate each word is just great. So crisp and clear. Did you take some lessons (an actor or something like that)? Truly great, I always mumble :)) Thanks.

[@RichardFanders]

Thank you. I haven't had lessons, I did struggle with English at school, don't get why they made us read Shakespeare when I could barely read a modern book. I discovered Ben Bova Sci Fi books when I was a teenager, they helped me a lot as I actually wanted to read them.

[@khalidmir377]

May you live long Richard!

[@stillbruch2009]

Very good suggestion to go with the number with petrol. Some additions: In German speaking parts of the country, petrol can also be called "Bleifrei" (unleaded) followed by the octane number, e.g. Bleifrei 95. "Senza piombo" means the same but in Italian. E5/E10 designates the amount of bio ethanol mixed with the petrol. E5 means 5% is bioethonal, E10 means 10%. There is no E10 in Switzerland, all unleaded fuel are E5. Thanks for the video! All provided information are well researched and very accurate. I hope you enjoyed your trip through Switzerland.

[@RichardFanders]

I think I saw E10 in switzerland. I will have to check my footage again.

[@raphyd1466]

Hope you liked our country :) I'm Swiss and got my license near Zurich on Feb 1st this year. Not the easiest place for learning, but that also means I collect experience with a number of challenges quickly. My girlfriend has had her license for 10 years, but because she got hers in rural Germany, she struggled around here.

[@RichardFanders]

We did thank you. It is a very clean and beautiful country.

[@tihan6]

In Züri fahre isch en Alptraum hahahha

[@JohnB-2021]

Great review, hoping to pop into Switzerland next week. (Did Austria last month) One question, headlight stickers. I did use them on my old Peugeot 308 back in 2020. In Germany and Austria, I could not see my headlights pointing up on left. The instructions on kit, from ferry shop, did not seem to include my new Peugeot e208. I did not know new cars have flat headlamp beams. Is that the case? I never got flashed from oncoming drivers. Thank you for your time. PS, wow, handy to know that my current 'clean air sticker' for France is ok in Switzerland.

[@chriseseigbe9768]

Very informative video. I came across your videos of driving in different European countries by chance and ever since I have been addicted😂. Driving in Switzerland is very similar to other European countries the most commonest being the dreaded give way to traffic from the right or right before left!!! I am planning to drive from the UK (Slough) to Frankfurt, Germany and i intend to put a home made sticker on my dashboard, which will read, "right before left", except of course when there is clearly a yellow give way sign. In that way, l will avoid an accident. Can you imagine me being hit from the right at such a confusing road, driving a right hand UK car!!!

[@RichardFanders]

I hope your journey goes well, take it easy, with a few miles driving on the other side to what you're used to gets easier.

[@takyiyakvsi]

Those lines you could not figure out. They are there to show you the trajectory of your turn and not no make you give way as you cross them.

[@shaficessop1389]

Great advice

[@JW93.]

Great video Richard, I would like you to do Spain next

[@RichardFanders]

Thank you, I'm sorry but I didn't get to Spain. I have some other countries coming up.

[@Superbustr]

The vignette allows you to drive on motorways in Switzerland. If you technically stick to only driving on B roads you don't need a vignette in Switzerland. It may seem like the road rules are strict in Switzerland. But other than speed cameras you will never see or get pulled over by the police on a Swiss motorway. The most important thing to adhere to in Switzerland is making sure you are driving the right speed through tunnels. The speed can go from 120(highway speed) to 100 then 80kph very quickly in some tunnels. If you go through a 80kph tunnel at 120kph or faster and get snapped by a camera I believe they will take your license away from you or something else bad... etc

[@RidingTheAlps15]

The "confusing" marks you mentioned at the end is the give way from right. I don't know why the introduced it, I guess it's for people who can't remember that this rule exists. Unfortunately there are some of them.

[@gejocs]

More of these please. Very informative and inspiring. Question though, do they also flash their lights if they give way for you to pass?

[@RichardFanders]

I think people in most countries flash their lights how they wish. What I mentioned in the video is how you're supposed to use them.

[@RusNad]

Just a tip for vignettes in countries like Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary: they're really easy to get online so you don't have to put a physical sticker on your windscreen. During holidays you can get long queues at the petrol stations near the border that sell them.

[@LeoStep93]

Do I have to buy a vignette if I already live in Czechia? (Soon to be a new driver here)

[@artemkatelnytskyi]

If you buy online, and don't put it on the windscreen, how would they know you have it? Do you have to show a receipt? I assumed you needed the sticker so that the cameras on motorways would see it and figure if you are allowed there or not.

[@RusNad]

@@artemkatelnytskyi Since you enter your license plate number when you purchase it, they have it in their database and can see that you've paid

[@RusNad]

Take care to only buy it from the official government website btw

[@artemkatelnytskyi]

@@RusNad So is the sticker just for convenience for police officers, because that way they don't have to check in with the database?

[@NormanGaming196]

Cool video! Man this country looks beautiful, how long are you visiting?

[@RichardFanders]

We've already been home for 3 weeks. We did a 12 day euro trip.

[@NormanGaming196]

@@RichardFanders That sounds so good, will you be doing a video on how much it costed in fuel, maintenance, and such?

[@ricoblaser6308]

Easy to the crossings in minute 13:03. These are "thong crossings" (simply because the marking above looks like a thong) and yes, right before left applies in this situation. In the residential areas (30 km/h zone) we almost only have such intersections. Otherwise very good information.

[@RichardFanders]

Thank you.

[@georgechirica9624]

Can you do a video with the costs of uk-italy road trip?

[@PointNemo9]

Really enjoying this series so far. What if I am not the registered keeper/owner of the car (it is my parents car), can I drive it on the continent by myself? I remember you mentioned the V5 in the Germany video too.

[@RichardFanders]

The official advice from the UK government is that you need to take your V5 and insurance certificate. I'm sorry but I don't know the answer to your question.

[@RusNad]

Within the EU (and probably EEA/Switzerland) a signed form or letter authorising you to borrow the car is enough if you have the vehicle registration and logbook with you. Assuming you're from the UK, I don't know if Brexit might have changed this. You might need to get it certified by a notary public, but I doubt that.

[@Dadopersoblueboots]

Going through a tunnel in Switzerland you need to have your lights on

[@RichardFanders]

Thank you, I didn't think of that as this car has Auto Lights.

[@markbray2988]

Actually it's now Suisse law that headlights must be switched on at all times. Every border crossing has a sign indicating headlights 24/24

[@nelz9299]

Was the boot space in the Mx5 enough for a long roadtrip? Or did you have to frequently visit laundromats?

[@RichardFanders]

It was good enough. We did 12 days. Review coming soon.

[@nelz9299]

@@RichardFanders great content as ever, looking forward to it

[@Antonnick]

Swiss drivers, as soon as they cross the border out of the country, released of the draconian control, are mad! The locals also tend to know where the disguised speed cameras are and often hurtle along well over 120kmh. It does go to show though, that if a country has a reputation for controlling speed, then most drivers take special care and those that do not have fat wallets. The penickety traffic police once gave a friend of mine in Basel a parking ticket, where he had parked for 4 years without a problem before, because the front wheels were not straight.

[@pomerakchildoriginal]

Please upload a driving in Spain from the UK

[@RichardFanders]

Thank you for your suggestion, I may do next time I drive there.

[@messi9991]

You can now buy the Vignette online.

[@ianwoods4020]

Hi you must have came across this issue in Switzerland if driving my yourself? How unsafe is it to drive a UK vehicle on the right when driving on a narrow road like single track road without a passenger for your eyes when driving around a blind corner like a mountain or a blind rocky side? or a cliff top edge , this is a really dangerous concern? or am i worrying to much? I have bought a dash cam for the left side of the front window screen and a tiny mirror to clip to my left wind shield , but I fear that is not enough! maybe flashing lights in the dark and hooting the horn is one option!

[@dlevi67]

Driving on a Swiss road is not an issue - you can train yourself quite effectively on where the (left-side) edge of your car is in the UK, and that takes care of concerns around blind rocky sides or cliff tops (which BTW can be on one side _or_ the other; you win some, you lose some). The difficulties come with some junctions - e.g. sharp emerges on the left - where visibility angles are assuming that the driver is on the left side of the car, and of course overtaking is significantly more difficult if you don't have a co-pilot.

[@jasperlambrecht1906]

A question i see your driving a mx5 how is it to do longer trips with 2 people with that small trunk?

[@RichardFanders]

It's good, we did 12 days. Reveiw coming soon.

[@jasperlambrecht1906]

Great looking forward to that!

[@johnhall4917]

"If a bus is indicating to leave a bus stop, you should let it out" If only the UK brung that rule in.

[@RichardFanders]

That is actually the rule in the UK. Highway code rule 223.

[@GordonHeaney]

So add, I hardly saw another vehicle on the roads, so quiet

[@cornel999]

lovely video, excellent presentation. but i keep thinking i'd like to hear a word or two from your attractive companion. seems strange she's sitting there for the entire trip but doesn't get to contribute anything. i assume she's comfortable over there. at 6 feet, i fit well in the driver seat in my ND RF, but i could not last long in the passenger seat, with the reduced legroom and the big bump on the floor.

[@RichardFanders]

My companion was very comfortable in the car, but she doesn't want to drive or be on camera.

[@RichardFanders]

The bump on the floor is on the drivers side in my car. Do you drive a left hand drive car? My other half is 5ft 5.

[@cornel999]

@@RichardFanders yes, i'm in USA, steering wheel on the left, the bump on the right floor, and subwoofer on the right, reducing legroom. 5ft5 is a perfect fit for that side

[@SuperOpticJ]

do the fuel pumps work the same way in Europe as to England where it clicks when it full?

[@RichardFanders]

I can't remember now but I'm 99% sure they do as I nearly always fill until the pump clicks off.

[@SuperOpticJ]

@@RichardFanders cheers mate as I'm going to drive to Bruges and international for the first time I'm excited

[@534tgrg6yrtgdf]

What’s the best fuel economy you have gotten on a long trip for the MX5?

[@RichardFanders]

51mpg (UK) if I remember correctly. Purley motorway usually gets 48mpg plus. The euro trip averaged 45mpg which was amazing considering the speeds I was doing on the autobahn and all the mountain roads we drove up.

[@534tgrg6yrtgdf]

@@RichardFanders good especially with crude oil the price that it is.

[@tanfer2003]

What's bleifrei. Used this only Swiss tour

[@nobbynobbynoob]

Bleifrei means lead free. The term is practically redundant in all countries, I know, as where does one buy LEADED fuel nowadays? :)

[@gbphil]

You might have covered Border crossings because it’s not in Schengen so passports will be checked.

[@RichardFanders]

Our passports were only checked once excluding the euro tunnel and we crossed many borders, we crossed Switzerland's borders 4 times.

[@gbphil]

@@RichardFanders thanks for the update, perhaps they do it on ANPR cameras now. When I used to travel there, border crossings were always manned even at midnight. They even charged me a vignette for my trailer as well as my car carrying my motorbike. Luckily being stuck on a painted surface, it peeled off easily so I could attach it to the bike when using that for our four days in the alps.

[@nobbynobbynoob]

Switzerland IS a Schengen country, but you may get stopped by Customs of course, especially as CH is not in the EU.

[@henrywooles1663]

You have to be 19 to hire a car in Switzerland, well that’s with Europcar anyway

[@TRW708]

can yo be quite becoz its better if u do asmr driveing video'

[@Jupiter12.000]

Who's The Lady Riding Along with You in The Passanger Seat? Your Girlfriend

[@RichardFanders]

Yes, that's my wonderful better half.

[@Jupiter12.000]

@@RichardFanders Cool

[@Jupiter12.000]

@@RichardFanders I'm Still Single Though😔😔😔😔😔