Swiss Theory B key terms

A continuous white line on Swiss roads that must not be crossed or straddled, separating traffic streams or marking the edge of the carriageway where overtaking or turning across it is prohibited.

A broken white line that may be crossed when it is safe and does not endanger other road users, typically marking lane divisions or the centre of the road where overtaking is permitted.

The duty to let a vehicle or pedestrian with the right of way pass before you proceed, slowing or stopping as needed so that you do not force them to change speed or direction.

The default Swiss rule at junctions without signs or signals: you must yield to vehicles approaching from your right, including at unmarked crossroads and where a road joins from the right.

A circular junction where traffic already on the ring has priority over entering traffic, indicated by a blue sign with white arrows; you signal on exit but not on entry.

Moving from one marked lane to another, which requires mirror and blind-spot checks, indicating in good time, and giving way to traffic already in the target lane.

The area around a vehicle that the driver cannot see using mirrors alone, especially large for lorries and vans; a direct shoulder check is needed before changing lane or turning.

The maximum permitted speed for a road or vehicle class; in Switzerland this is 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside them and 120 km/h on motorways unless signs state otherwise.

An advisory speed shown on signs, such as 80 km/h on some motorway sections, that is not a strict limit but reflects a safe speed for the conditions and may be relevant to liability.

A signed area where pedestrians have priority over vehicles and the speed limit is 20 km/h; vehicles may only drive at walking pace and must not endanger or obstruct pedestrians.

A marked zebra crossing where pedestrians have priority once they show an intention to cross; drivers must stop and give them a clear passage and must not overtake a vehicle stopped at one.

The gap kept to the vehicle ahead; a common guide is the two-second rule, increased in rain, at night or when following lorries, and the distance needed to stop if the leader brakes suddenly.

The distance travelled while the driver perceives a hazard and moves to the brake, roughly speed in km/h divided by ten, multiplied by three; it grows with tiredness, alcohol or distraction.

The distance needed to stop once braking begins, increasing with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples it; wet or icy roads make it considerably longer.

Loss of tyre contact with the road because a film of water builds up under the tread; grip and steering fade, so you should ease off the accelerator, avoid braking hard and keep the wheel steady.

The depth of the grooves in a tyre; Swiss law requires at least 1.6 mm across the main tread, though safety experts advise replacing tyres well before reaching this minimum.

The air pressure inside a tyre, checked when cold and set to the vehicle maker's figures; too low pressure raises fuel use, heat and wear, and worsens handling and braking.

The periodic official roadworthiness test a vehicle must pass at an authorised testing centre; defects found must be repaired, and the vehicle may be barred from use until they are.

The official document listing a vehicle's owner, registration number and technical data; it must be carried or available and is needed when selling, registering or presenting the vehicle for inspection.

The permit authorising a person to drive a given category of vehicle; it must be carried when driving, and driving without a valid one can bring fines, licence withdrawal and insurance problems.

Driving when illness, fatigue, alcohol, drugs or medicine makes you unable to control the vehicle safely; it is an offence even below the legal alcohol limit if your ability is impaired.

The amount of alcohol in the blood, measured in per mille; in Switzerland the general limit for driving is 0.5 per mille, with a lower 0.1 limit for novice and professional drivers.

A unit meaning one part in a thousand, used for blood alcohol; 0.5 per mille is the standard Swiss driving limit, and exceeding it brings licence withdrawal and criminal consequences.

A dual-carriageway road with grade-separated junctions, a 120 km/h limit and bans on pedestrians, bicycles and slow vehicles; stopping is allowed only on marked lay-bys or in emergencies.

The strip beside the motorway carriageway for breakdowns and emergencies only; you must not drive, park or overtake on it, and when stopped you should warn traffic and move behind the barrier.

An enclosed road section where headlights are compulsory, U-turns and reversing are banned, and you should keep a larger gap and follow radio or sign instructions in an incident.

A reflective vest that must be worn when you leave a broken-down vehicle on a motorway, in a tunnel or in poor visibility, so other drivers can see you in time.

The interior and exterior mirrors used to check traffic behind and beside you; they must be adjusted before driving and used with a shoulder check because they leave blind spots.

Driving style that anticipates mistakes by others, keeps escape space and avoids relying on being in the right; it reduces the chance that another road user's error becomes a crash.

A ban on passing other vehicles, shown by a sign or a solid line, or applying near crossings, bends, hilltops and level crossings where visibility is not enough to complete the manoeuvre safely.

The system of signs, markings and signals that orders traffic and sets rules; drivers must obey them, and the general priority-to-the-right rule applies only where no sign or signal governs the junction.

Driving smoothly in a suitable gear, easing off early, avoiding needless idling and keeping tyres correctly inflated, which cuts fuel use, emissions and wear without losing safety.

The weight of passengers and cargo a vehicle may carry within its permitted total weight; it must be secured and distributed evenly, and excess load harms braking, handling and fuel use.

The weight carried on a roof rack, limited by the vehicle maker and included in the total load; a high or heavy roof load raises the centre of gravity and increases fuel consumption.

Your physical and mental ability to drive safely at a given moment, affected by health, eyesight, fatigue, alcohol, drugs and medicine; if it is impaired you must not take the wheel.

Insurance that is compulsory for motor vehicles and pays for damage or injury you cause to others; it does not cover your own vehicle, which needs optional comprehensive cover.