General Information » Getting Around » Car

Traffic congestion is the curse of any modern city and Geneva is no exception! There is an abundance of traffic lights, each letting just a few cars through at a time. Don’t be tempted to sneak through as the light turns red though – many traffic lights are fitted with little cameras that will catch you in the act.

Driving Habits & Regulations

In general, driving standards in Geneva are quite high although you’ll find your fair share of rogue drivers who push in and lane hop. The daily rush hour, and Friday and Saturday nights, tend to be the most stressful driving times. Driving is on the right hand side.

You have to wear a seat belt at all times in a car, whether you are sitting in the front or back seat. Children under the age of seven are not allowed to sit in the front, unless they have a suitably adapted seat and belt. Children between the ages of seven and twelve must wear a seatbelt appropriate for their size.

It is your responsibility to be aware of other important driving regulations, such as having to switch headlights on in tunnels, carrying a warning triangle in case of breakdowns, and displaying the proper parking disk (see Parking [p.31]). To drive on motorways you must display a ‘vignette’ (a sticker showing the calendar year, e.g. 05) on the windscreen of your car. The vignette costs SFr 40 and can be purchased from customs offices, post offices and garages. It is non-transferable, and only valid for that calendar year, so even if you buy one in November you will have to buy a new one for the new year. There is a grace period until the 31st January but come early February the police are usually out in force to fine drivers not displaying valid vignettes. The fine is SFr 100.

If you plan to drive on any of the mountainous routes during winter you will need to carry snow chains for your wheels. Snowploughs usually manage to clear snowfall quite quickly but it can take a while for them to clear large areas, by which time several more centimetres of snow can fall.

Speed Limits

The speed limit in built up areas is 50 km/h, and in some residential areas it’s as low as 30 km/h. On the main roads, outside of built up areas, it is 80 km/h and on motorways, 120 km/h, unless otherwise indicated. Speed limits are clearly indicated on road signs and there are frequent speed traps. Fortunately, the speed traps are pretty hard to miss – look out for one and a half metre high grey boxes (some are cunningly disguised in black and white cowprint or as blocks of cheese!)

Driving Licence

Any foreigner over 18 years of age, with a valid international driving licence, can drive in Gen...