The Arrival of Autonomous Vehicles in Switzerland: A New Era of Road Safety and Traffic Flow
Autonomous vehicles granted permission on Swiss highways, but what are the guidelines?
Switzerland has officially opened its roads to self-driving cars, starting March 1st, 2025, ushering in an era of innovation and improved road safety. This groundbreaking move is part of the Swiss government's mission to eliminate human error, the leading cause of road accidents.
Alexandre Alahi, an assistant professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Lausanne (EPFL), and head of the Visual Intelligence for Transportation Laboratory, spearheaded this project. According to Alahi, the aim is to create vehicles powered by artificial intelligence that can drastically reduce road accidents caused by human error.
So, what has changed? Here's a rundown of the new rules:
- Drivers of autonomous vehicles are now permitted to let go of the steering wheel and no longer constantly monitor traffic and the vehicle on motorways. However, they must be ready in an instant to take over control should road conditions or safety concerns require it.
- It is also legal to use driverless vehicles on sections of the road authorized by the cantons in cooperation with the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO).
- Automated parking without human supervision will also be permitted in designated parking spaces.
Cantons and municipalities will designate suitable parking spaces for these self-driving vehicles.
You can get a glimpse of how this technology works in action watch this video (in German).
However, this technology is not yet widely accessible to the general public. No manufacturer in Switzerland has requested approval for autonomous driving systems at this time, according to Patrizia Portmann, head of the Road User Regulations department at the Federal Roads Office.
The Federal Council has not yet released information on the availability and affordability of self-driving cars. Nevertheless, it's exciting to see this technology becoming a reality and establishing a presence on Swiss roads.
Tracing the Regulatory Landscape: Steering Autonomous Vehicles in Switzerland
The Swiss government has put in place a legal and regulatory framework to facilitate testing, approval, and operation of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on its public roads. With the adoption of the ordonnance sur la conduite automatisée, the country set the stage for the implementation of AVs, focusing on SAE Level 3 and above.
The regulatory framework includes provisions for:
- Thorough approval processes to ensure technical and safety compliance
- Designating operating areas for AVs
- Requiring autonomous vehicles to be equipped with systems capable of initiating a “minimal-risk state” in case of system failure or unavoidable hazards
- Permitting field operational tests (FOTs) for AVs on public roads
- Clarifying responsibilities in case of accidents and mandating appropriate insurance coverage
Switzerland’s approach aligns with broader European and international efforts to harmonize AV testing and operation across borders. Similar to other European countries, such as Austria, France, and Germany, Switzerland allows AV testing and operation under strict regulatory oversight.
For a detailed overview of the key requirements and regulations governing AVs in Switzerland, refer to our summary table.
References
- Regulation of self-driving cars - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_of_self-driving_cars
- Autonomous Mobility in Europe: https://autonomy.paris/autonomous-mobility-in-europe-deliberate-detailed-and-shared/
- Regulations and Policies - Connected Automated Driving: https://www.connectedautomateddriving.eu/regulation-and-policies/
- The legal and regulatory framework in Switzerland, as set by the ordonnance sur la conduite automatisée, is designed to facilitate the testing, approval, and operation of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on public roads, focusing on SAE Level 3 and above.
- One of the key provisions in this regulatory framework is the requirement for AVs to be equipped with systems capable of initiating a "minimal-risk state" in case of system failure or unavoidable hazards.
- Switzerland's regulatory approach for AVs aligns with broader European and international efforts to harmonize AV testing and operation across borders, similar to countries like Austria, France, and Germany.
