Swiss Theory B cheat sheet

Swiss roads keep right; overtaking happens on the left except for trams, which may be passed on the right where tracks run alongside the lane.

Sign shapes carry meaning: triangles warn, circles order (red ring = prohibition, blue = mandatory), rectangles inform, and octagons stop.

A red-ring circular sign with a number is a maximum speed; a blue circular sign with a number is a minimum speed.

Right-of-way signs: yellow diamond = priority road; yellow diamond with black diagonal bar = end of priority road; the triangle with a red border and an X-shaped cross means yield to traffic from the right.

Traffic lights: flashing amber means proceed with caution and respect right-of-way rules; a dark or defective light falls back to the signposted or general priority rule.

A solid white line may not be crossed; a broken line may be crossed when it is safe and does not endanger or obstruct others.

Pedestrian crossings (zebra) must be given way to once a pedestrian shows intent to cross; stopping on the crossing is prohibited.

Hand signals by drivers are only used when indicators fail; police signals override signs, markings and lights.

Default rule where nothing else is signposted: yield to traffic approaching from the right (priorité à droite).

Entering a roundabout marked with a yield sign or a broken line means giving way to traffic already circulating, which comes from the left.

Turning left: yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right; turning right: yield to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road you enter.

A yellow diamond priority sign applies until cancelled by the end-of-priority sign or by entering a roundabout with yield markings.

Trams have priority over other vehicles in almost all situations; do not block tram tracks.

At a junction with a stop sign, the vehicle must come to a complete standstill at the stop line even when the road is clear.

Exiting a property, car park or petrol station onto a public road: give way to all road users on the public road, including pedestrians and cyclists.

Narrow passages: the larger or heavier vehicle and buses/trams generally have priority; signs may explicitly assign priority.

General limits for cars: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside built-up areas, 120 km/h on motorways; signs may set lower values.

Recommended motorway speed is 120 km/h; the legal maximum remains 120 km/h and many sections are signed 100 km/h or lower.

Minimum following distance rule of thumb: half the speedometer reading in metres (e.g. 80 km/h = 40 m); a two-second gap is the minimum on dry roads.

Stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance; reaction distance is roughly speed in km/h divided by 10, multiplied by 3 metres.

Braking distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance.

In rain, fog, snow or on wet roads, reduce speed so that you can stop within the visible clear distance; the two-second rule doubles to four seconds on wet roads.

Inside tunnels and at level crossings, the signed limit and any distance rules apply strictly; no U-turns and no stopping outside marked lay-bys.

When towing a trailer, the motorway limit drops and lower limits apply to the combination; check the specific signposted values.

Scan 12-15 seconds ahead in built-up areas and further on open roads; keep the eyes moving between mirrors, instruments and the road.

Anticipate the three main hazard sources: other road users' errors, road and weather conditions, and your own vehicle's state.

At blind junctions, bends, hill crests and tram stops, reduce speed before the hazard so that stopping is possible within the visible distance.

Cyclists and motorcyclists are easily hidden in blind spots; shoulder-check before changing lane or opening a door.

Pedestrians near bus stops, schools and parked cars are high risk: children and elderly people may step out without looking.

When dazzled by oncoming headlights, slow down, look toward the right edge of the road and, if necessary, stop.

Overtaking is a hazard manoeuvre: confirm no oncoming traffic, no solid line, sufficient clear road and that no one is already overtaking you.

Fatigue is a hazard: after about two hours of driving, take a break; microsleeps are a leading cause of serious motorway crashes.

Legal minimum tread depth for car tyres is 1.6 mm in the main grooves; winter tyres need at least 4 mm to perform as winter tyres.

Tyre pressure is checked cold, at least monthly and before long journeys; under-inflation raises fuel consumption, wear and blowout risk.

Winter tyres (M+S or three-peak mountain snowflake) are required when wintry conditions (snow, slush, ice) prevail; summer tyres are not allowed then.

Check lights, indicators, brakes and tyres before each journey; the vehicle must be roadworthy at all times.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture and should be replaced roughly every two years; worn brake pads reduce stopping power and must be replaced.

The spare wheel or repair kit must be present and functional; a warning triangle is mandatory in Switzerland.

Load must be secured and within the permitted maximum; overloading affects braking, handling and tyre load ratings.

Warning lights on the dashboard (red) mean stop as soon as safe; amber means check or service soon.

Legal blood-alcohol limit for ordinary drivers is 0.5 per mille (0.5 g/L, equivalent to 0.25 mg/L breath).

For novice drivers (first three years of holding a licence) and professional drivers, the limit is 0.1 per mille.

Refusing a breath or blood test is treated as an offence and can lead to licence withdrawal.

Illegal drugs and driving do not mix; even small amounts impair and are prosecuted.

Medication that warns against driving (e.g. some antihistamines, sedatives, strong painkillers) can make you unfit to drive; read the leaflet and ask a pharmacist.

Illness, extreme fatigue, severe stress or eye problems can make you unfit to drive even without alcohol or drugs.

After drinking, time is the only thing that lowers blood alcohol; coffee, food or a shower do not.

A combination of alcohol and medication strongly increases impairment and legal risk.

Carry the driving licence and vehicle registration document (Fahrzeugausweis) when driving; the vehicle must be insured with at least third-party liability.

Motor third-party liability insurance is compulsory; comprehensive (casco) cover is optional.

The vehicle must pass the periodic technical inspection (MFK) at the intervals set by the canton; a valid sticker or certificate shows compliance.

The vehicle registration document lists the holder, the vehicle and any restrictions; changes of owner or address must be reported.

Driving without a licence, without insurance or with an expired MFK is an offence and can lead to fines, loss of licence and vehicle impoundment.

Report any accident involving injury or significant property damage to the police; exchanging details alone is not enough for injury.

The licence can be withdrawn for serious offences, repeated offences or unfitness; a learner's licence has specific conditions (accompanied driving, L plates).

Seat belts and child restraints are mandatory; children under 12 and shorter than 150 cm need an approved child seat.

Motorways: no pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds or slow vehicles; no stopping on the hard shoulder except in an emergency.

When joining a motorway, use the acceleration lane to match speed and give way to traffic already on the motorway.

Keep right except when overtaking; do not overtake on the right except in slow-moving queues.

In tunnels: switch on dipped headlights, keep a safe distance, no U-turns, no reversing, no stopping outside emergency bays; observe the tunnel signals.

If a tunnel fire occurs, stop the engine, leave the key in the ignition, and follow the emergency exits and signs to a safe place.

In fog, use dipped headlights and fog lights only when visibility is seriously reduced; rear fog lights only when visibility is under 50 m.

At level crossings, stop if the barriers are closing or the lights flash; never enter before the exit is clear.

Breakdown on a motorway: move to the hard shoulder, switch on hazard lights, put on a high-visibility vest, place the warning triangle behind the vehicle and wait behind the barrier.

Eco-driving: shift up early (around 2,000 rpm for petrol, lower for diesel), keep a steady speed and anticipate traffic to avoid braking.

Under-inflated tyres and roof boxes or bike racks increase fuel consumption noticeably; remove unused racks.

Idling wastes fuel and pollutes; switch off the engine when stationary for longer than about 20 seconds (where legal).

Loading: distribute the load low and centrally, secure it against shifting, and stay within the permitted total weight and axle loads.

A loaded vehicle needs longer braking distances and different tyre pressures; check the manual for the loaded-pressure values.

Air conditioning increases consumption; use it moderately and ventilate with windows at low speed.

Plan routes and combine trips; cold engines use more fuel, so short repeated cold starts are inefficient.

Electric and hybrid vehicles: regenerative braking recovers energy; smooth driving extends range.