Caught by a speed camera and now you’re waiting for the letter? With the Swiss Fines Calculator, you can work out the cost of your fine before it arrives: whether it’s an administrative fine, a charge or a driving ban. The speed camera calculator deducts the statutory margin of error and uses the current Swiss fines schedule.
Key points at a glance
- Tolerance first: Depending on the device, between 3 and 7 km/h is deducted from the measured speed. Only the net value counts.
- Administrative fines: Speeding by up to 15 km/h in built-up areas, up to 20 km/h outside built-up areas, and up to 25 km/h on the motorway. Fines range from CHF 20 to CHF 260; no criminal record.
- Advertisement: This is an offence punishable by a fine of around CHF 400 plus charges, and usually results in a restriction on your driving licence.
- Withdrawal of driving licence: Speeding (net) is defined as exceeding 21 km/h in built-up areas, 26 km/h outside built-up areas and 31 km/h on the motorway.
- Speeding offence: Speeding is defined as driving 40 km/h over the limit in a 30 km/h zone, 50 km/h over the limit in built-up areas, 60 km/h over the limit outside built-up areas, and 80 km/h over the limit on the motorway.
Quick guide to the calculator
To use the Swiss Fines Calculator, all you need is the information from the speed camera or the fine notice:
- Select a location: In built-up areas, outside built-up areas, on dual carriageways or motorways. It is the location that determines the fine, not just the speed limit.
- Tap the speed limit: for example, 30, 50, 80 or 120.
- Enter the measured speed: It’s better to estimate a bit higher if you don’t know the exact figure.
- Select measurement mode: Radar, laser, radar in a police car or roadblocks. If in doubt, go for the radar.
- Is the net speed already shown on the bus, Tick the box marked «Value is already net». The calculator will then no longer deduct anything.
If you have a provisional licence or have received a warning or had your licence suspended within the last two years, tick this box. The consequences will then be more severe.
Swiss fine calculator: this is how much a speeding fine costs
The speed camera calculator shows you the amount of the fixed penalty or, in the case of more serious offences, what you can expect if charges are brought against you. It also shows you the penalty that will be applied to your driving licence and whether you risk a criminal record. Under «Just missed», it shows the speed at which you would have reached the next penalty bracket.
Administrative fines are fixed amounts set out in the schedule of fines. In the case of a formal complaint, however, the public prosecutor’s office determines the fine or monetary penalty on a case-by-case basis, depending on the canton, the individual’s previous record and their income. This calculator provides a guide.
Swiss Fines Catalogue
The Swiss Fines Catalogue 2026 is the list of fines issued by the Regulation on Administrative Fines (OBV). It sets fixed fines for hundreds of traffic offences, ranging from speeding fines to parking offences. If you want more than just the table, you can use the calculator at the top to work out the exact fine for any speed camera offence.
Speeding offences
In the absence of any traffic signs, the following speed limits apply in Switzerland: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside built-up areas, 100 km/h on motorways and 120 km/h on motorways. For each instance of speeding, the schedule of fines sets out these fines, depending on the location. This always refers to the excess speed after the tolerance has been deducted.
Inner city
The speed limit within built-up areas is generally 50 km/h. The same fines apply in 30 km/h zones and shared spaces.
| Too fast (net) | Buses |
|---|---|
| 1 to 5 km/h | CHF 40 |
| 6 to 10 km/h | CHF 120 |
| 11 to 15 km/h | CHF 250 |
| from 16 km/h | Display |
Out of town
Outside built-up areas, the speed limit is generally 80 km/h. The same fines apply on motorways with a speed limit of 100 km/h.
| Too fast (net) | Buses |
|---|---|
| 1 to 5 km/h | CHF 40 |
| 6 to 10 km/h | CHF 100 |
| 11 to 15 km/h | CHF 160 |
| 16 to 20 km/h | £240 |
| from 21 km/h | Display |
Autobahn
The speed limit on the motorway is 120 km/h. The table also applies if a lower limit is signposted on the motorway, such as 80 km/h in a roadworks zone.
| Too fast (net) | Buses |
|---|---|
| 1 to 5 km/h | CHF 20 |
| 6 to 10 km/h | CHF 60 |
| 11 to 15 km/h | CHF 120 |
| 16 to 20 km/h | CHF 180 |
| 21 to 25 km/h | CHF 260 |
| from 26 km/h | Display |
Further administrative fines
It’s not just speeding that costs you. Here are the most common other administrative fines from the list of fines:
| Offence | Buses |
|---|---|
| Failed to stop at a red light | CHF 250 |
| Overtaking on the right on the motorway | CHF 250 |
| Vignette missing | CHF 200 |
| Failure to give way to pedestrians at a zebra crossing | CHF 140 |
| Making calls without a hands-free kit | CHF 100 |
| Indicator not set | CHF 100 |
| No emergency corridor was formed | CHF 100 |
| Zip ignored | CHF 100 |
| Stopped at the pedestrian crossing | CHF 80 |
| Leaving the engine running unnecessarily whilst stationary | CHF 80 |
| Seatbelt not worn | CHF 60 |
| Child not properly secured | CHF 60 |
| Parking time exceeded by 2 to 4 hours | CHF 60 |
| Parking time exceeded by up to 2 hours | CHF 40 |
| Parking disc not displayed | CHF 40 |
| Drove without lights during the day | CHF 40 |
| Driving licence or vehicle registration certificate not to hand | CHF 20 |
Anyone who drives dangerously – for example, by running a red light or overtaking on the right – may face criminal charges instead of just a fixed penalty notice.
Administrative fine proceedings
Most speeding fines are dealt with under the fixed-penalty scheme. This is a simplified procedure: you are issued with a fixed fine of up to CHF 300, pay it within 30 days, and that’s the end of it. There are no additional charges, no entry on your criminal record and no restrictions on your driving licence.
The fine is issued to the vehicle’s registered owner. If you weren’t the one driving, you can name the driver. If you don’t pay the fine, the case will go to court. Additional charges will then apply.
Warning and report
Once a certain speed limit is exceeded, you will no longer be issued with a fixed penalty notice but will instead face prosecution: for speeding by 16 km/h or more in built-up areas, 21 km/h or more outside built-up areas, and 26 km/h or more on the motorway. Two sets of proceedings will then run in parallel:
- Criminal proceedings: The public prosecutor’s office imposes a fine by means of a penalty order, usually starting at around CHF 400, plus fees. In the case of a serious offence, a fine is imposed; for a first offence, this is usually suspended.
- Administrative procedures: The Road Traffic Authority decides on matters relating to your driving licence, ranging from a warning to its withdrawal.
Fines are only entered on the criminal record if they amount to CHF 5,000 or more. A serious breach of the Highway Code, on the other hand, constitutes an offence and is recorded. Speeding is considered serious if the speed limit is exceeded by 25 km/h or more in built-up areas, 30 km/h or more outside built-up areas, and 35 km/h or more on the motorway.
Driving licence revocation
The penalty you face depends on the extent of the offence and your previous record. For a first offence, the following applies according to Articles 16a to 16c of the Road Traffic Act (SVG) these values, always net after deduction of the tolerance:
| Location | Warning | Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| Inner city | 16 to 20 km/h | 21 to 24: at least 1 month From 25: at least 3 months |
| Out of town | 21 to 25 km/h | 26 to 29: at least 1 month From 30: at least 3 months |
| Autobahn | 26 to 30 km/h | 31 to 34: at least 1 month From 35: at least 3 months |
If you have already received a warning or had your licence suspended in the last two years, the warning will result in a suspension of at least one month. The duration of any subsequent suspensions will also increase with each repeat offence. Following several serious offences, your licence may be suspended indefinitely. The minimum duration applies even if you rely on your car for work.
Speed camera costs Switzerland
This is how much typical cases cost. Calculated using a fixed speed camera, i.e. with a 5 km/h deduction up to 100 km/h and 6 km/h above that:
| Caught on camera with | Net | Episode |
|---|---|---|
| 30 zone with a speed limit of 40 | +5 | CHF 40 |
| 30 zone with 45 | +10 | CHF 120 |
| 30 zone with a speed limit of 50 | +15 | CHF 250 |
| 30 zone with 60 | +25 | Report, licence suspension for at least 3 months |
| 50 zone with a speed limit of 60 | +5 | CHF 40 |
| 50 zone at 65 | +10 | CHF 120 |
| 50s zone at 68 | +13 | CHF 250 |
| 50 zone with a speed limit of 70 | +15 | CHF 250 |
| 50 zone with 75 | +20 | Report, warning |
| 50 zone with 80 | +25 | Report, licence suspension for at least 3 months |
| 80 outside built-up areas, 100 | +15 | CHF 160 |
| 80 outside built-up areas at 110 | +24 | Report, warning |
| 80 on the motorway with a speed limit of 100 | +15 | CHF 120 |
| A 100 road with a speed limit of 120 | +14 | CHF 160 |
| 120 on the motorway at 140 | +14 | CHF 120 |
| 120 on the motorway at 150 | +24 | CHF 260 |
| 120 on the motorway at 160 | +33 | Report, suspension for at least 1 month |
A 60 km/h zone may be within or outside built-up areas. Within built-up areas, exceeding the 80 km/h speed limit incurs a fine of CHF 250; outside built-up areas, the fine is CHF 160. You can calculate the exact fine using the fine calculator above.
Where do which tolerance limits apply?
No measuring device is perfect, which is why there is a margin of error. Specifically, the police deduct a safety margin – the tolerance deduction – from each measurement. The amount of this deduction is governed by the FEDRO Ordinance on the Road Traffic Control Ordinance. The level is determined by the measured speed:
| Type of measurement | Deduction |
|---|---|
| Radar, either fixed or as a mobile speed camera at the side of the road | 5 km/h, from 101 km/h 6, from 151 km/h 7 |
| Laser | 3 km/h, from 101 km/h 4, from 151 km/h 5 |
| Radar in a moving police vehicle | 7 km/h, from 101 km/h 8, from 151 km/h 9 |
| Section control | 5 km/h, from 101 km/h 6, from 151 km/h 7 |
Types of speed cameras in Switzerland
In Switzerland, speed cameras mainly include fixed radar units, mobile speed cameras mounted on a tripod or trailer, police laser guns, radar in moving police cars, and section controls that measure your average speed over several kilometres. The type of speed camera that caught you is stated on the fine notice. The tolerance level depends on this.
Example: A speed camera records a speed of 130 km/h on the motorway. 6 km/h is deducted, leaving 124 km/h as the relevant figure. That is 4 km/h over the limit and costs CHF 20. In the case of police speed checks, the deductions are higher and depend on the distance measured.
What is a speeding offence?
Anyone who drives significantly over the speed limit is committing a speeding offence under Article 90 of the Road Traffic Act (SVG). The limits depend on the speed limit:
| Speed limit | Speeding offence from |
|---|---|
| up to 30 km/h | 40 km/h over the limit, i.e. 70 in a 30 zone |
| up to 50 km/h | 50 km/h over the speed limit, i.e. 100 in built-up areas |
| up to 80 km/h | 60 km/h over the speed limit, i.e. 140 outside built-up areas |
| over 80 km/h | 80 km/h over the speed limit, i.e. 200 on the motorway |
Speeding offenders are liable to a prison sentence of between 1 and 4 years. Since October 2023, the court has been able to impose a sentence below this minimum for first-time offenders. The driving licence is suspended for at least 2 years, or for at least 1 year if the sentence is less than one year. It will only be returned following a traffic psychology assessment. In addition, the car may be confiscated.
What are the consequences for new drivers?
The same fines apply to new drivers. However, for the first three years, their driving licence is only provisional. This has certain consequences:
- First withdrawal: The probationary period is extended by one year.
- Second withdrawal: The provisional licence will expire. A new learner’s licence can only be issued after one year at the earliest, and only subject to a traffic psychology assessment.
- A warning or an administrative fine: do not affect the probationary period.
To contest a fine
Every fine and every decision includes information on your right of appeal. This explains how and by when you can appeal:
- Administrative fines: You can reject it and refuse to pay. This will then lead to formal proceedings, which will incur fees.
- Penalty order: An objection must be lodged with the Public Prosecutor’s Office within 10 days.
- Withdrawal of driving licence: You are entitled to have your say before the decision is made. You may lodge an appeal against the decision, usually within 30 days.
It’s rarely worth appealing against a speeding fine, as you’d have to prove that the measurement was incorrect. It’s more likely to be worth it in the case of a driving ban, for example if you’re just over the limit. It’s best to seek advice from a specialist in traffic law.
Tip: Our guide shows you how much drink-driving costs Per mille calculator. You can work out how much the journey itself costs using the Petrol cost calculator.
Disclaimer
The fine calculator and the information on this page are provided for guidance only. They are not a substitute for legal advice. The decisions of the police, the public prosecutor’s office and the Road Traffic Authority are solely decisive. In the event of a report being filed, fines and charges may vary significantly depending on the canton. Liability is excluded to the extent permitted by law. Information current as at October 2026.
More calculators for everyday use: Per mille calculator, Petrol cost calculator, Percentage calculator and all the tools in the Computer Overview.
FAQ
How much do fines cost in Switzerland?
Fixed penalties for speeding range from CHF 20 to CHF 260. Above this threshold, the offence is prosecuted, resulting in a fine of around CHF 400 plus charges; in cases of serious offences, a monetary penalty is imposed. Speeding drivers risk a custodial sentence.
How much does 10 km/h too fast cost in Switzerland?
Driving 10 km/h over the speed limit (net) costs CHF 120 in built-up areas, CHF 100 outside built-up areas and CHF 60 on the motorway. ‘Net’ means after the tolerance has been deducted; for speed cameras, this is 5 km/h.
How much does it cost to be caught speeding at 50 in a 30 zone?
If caught by radar, 5 km/h is deducted from the speed. If you’re still 15 km/h over the limit, that costs CHF 250. From 46 km/h net – i.e. 16 km/h over the limit – you’ll be issued with a fine and a warning.
How much tolerance in 50 Zone Switzerland?
5 km/h for radar, 3 km/h for laser and 7 km/h for radar in a moving police car. A radar reading of 57 km/h is therefore recorded as 52 km/h. That costs CHF 40.
How much tolerance on the Swiss motorway?
Up to 100 km/h, the radar measures 5 km/h; from 101 to 150 km/h, it is 6 km/h. With a laser, it is 4 km/h, and with the radar in a police vehicle, it is 8 km/h.
When will my driving licence be revoked?
For a first offence, this applies to speeds exceeding 21 km/h in built-up areas, 26 km/h outside built-up areas and 31 km/h on the motorway, in each case net. Below these thresholds, a warning is issued once the offence is recorded.
Does a speeding fine go on your criminal record?
Never for minor offences. Fines following a complaint start at CHF 5,000. A serious breach of traffic regulations or a speeding offence, on the other hand, will be recorded.
Who pays the fine if someone else was driving?
The fixed penalty notice is issued to the vehicle owner. They may name the driver, in which case the driver must pay. If the vehicle owner does not name anyone, they must pay the fixed penalty notice themselves.