🇨🇭 Switzerland — HGV driving bans 2026
Switzerland jealously protects its Sundays and nights: for heavy goods vehicles, rest is mandatory all day on Sundays and every night from 22:00 to 05:00. Add the distance-based heavy vehicle charge (LSVA) and strict rules in the Alpine tunnels, and you have the essentials for a smooth transit through the Confederation.
1. General rule
Two bans structure HGV traffic in Switzerland:
🚫Sundays and public holidays. Total ban from 00:00 to 24:00 on Sundays and recognised public holidays.
🌙Night. Driving ban every night from 22:00 to 05:00.
Both bans apply to:
- HGVs with a GVW exceeding 3.5 t (except passenger transport vehicles).
- Tractors and industrial machinery.
- HGVs towing a trailer with a total weight exceeding 5 t (except agricultural vehicles).
2. Exemptions
The scope of exemptions is intentionally narrow. The following are exempt from the ban:
- Transport of foodstuffs, under certain conditions.
- Transport of animals for slaughter.
3. Public holidays 2026
The following public holidays are subject to the driving ban. Note: purely cantonal holidays do not prohibit transit vehicles from driving. If one of these days is not a public holiday in a given canton, the ban does not apply there — but some cantons (in particular Valais and Ticino) may signal restrictions through local orders.
1st January — New Year's Day
3 April — Good Friday (except Ticino and Valais)
6 April — Easter Monday
15 May — Ascension Day
25 May — Whit Monday
1st August — National Day
25 December — Christmas Day
26 December — St Stephen's Day (except Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Solothurn, Vaud, Valais and Zug)
4. Exemption permits
Only urgent transports — those that absolutely must take place on a Sunday or at night — can obtain an exemption permit. Once granted, it is valid for the entire Swiss territory.
The authority of the canton of parking, or the canton of departure of the journey requiring authorisation, issues the document. Once the journey no longer passes through a canton's territory, that canton is no longer competent to handle the application.
For a vehicle arriving from abroad, the journey requiring authorisation begins in the first canton reached upon entering Switzerland. As a general rule, it is the road traffic authority that issues the exemption; in the cantons of Basel-City, Basel-Country and Graubünden, the application falls under the traffic brigade of the cantonal police.
5. Heavy vehicle levy (LSVA)
Vehicles transporting persons or goods are subject to the distance-related heavy vehicle charges (LSVA).
The amount depends on three factors: the total weight of the vehicle, its emission category (pollution standard) and the number of kilometres driven in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
It applies equally to HGVs registered in Switzerland and those registered abroad. The detailed rate schedule is published by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security.
6. Dangerous goods & tunnels
The transport of dangerous goods (ADR) is subject to specific restrictions, particularly when passing through tunnels. Switzerland's long Alpine tunnels apply tunnel category rules (ADR codes A to E) that may prohibit or restrict the passage of certain classes of dangerous goods, and impose traffic conditions (spacing, escort, times).
Before any ADR transport, check the category of the tunnel you plan to use and any restrictions in force, which may vary according to the nature of the load and local signage.
7. Good to know
🚦Speed: 50 km/h in built-up areas; 80 km/h on all roads and motorways.
🍺Alcohol: maximum 0.5 g/l of blood (0.25 mg/l in exhaled air). Limit reduced to 0.1 g/l for professional drivers (drivers, instructors…) and new drivers.
❄️Tyres: winter tyres not mandatory; chains or studded tyres compulsory in certain signposted areas; studded tyres prohibited on virtually all motorways.
💡Lights: dipped headlights mandatory 24/7; light gadgets prohibited in the cab at night and in tunnels.
📞Useful numbers: 117 (police), 118 (fire brigade), 144 (medical emergency), 140 (TCS breakdown, including Liechtenstein).
🛠 Drive with confidence, wherever you are in Europe
Driving bans differ from country to country, but your driving and rest times (561/2006) are the same everywhere. TruckerMaster reads your driver card on your phone, breaks down each day and spots violations — so you can focus on the road.
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