Road markings on Swiss roads
Road markings are instructions and information placed directly on the road: white, yellow and blue lines, arrows, areas and symbols. They carry legal force. Crossing a continuous safety line or parking on a no-stopping line can breach a binding traffic rule and lead to penalties. In the Road Signalling Ordinance (SSV), markings form group 6, numbered 6.01–6.36. Learn how lines, pedestrian crossings and yellow restrictions work together instead of treating them as decoration.
Colour provides a useful first distinction. White markings organise general traffic: continuous safety lines, broken lane lines, combined and warning lines, stop lines, edge lines, lane arrows, deflection arrows and hatched areas. Yellow markings can restrict stopping and parking, including no-parking lines, no-stopping lines, zigzags and marked no-parking areas. They also identify provision for particular users: bus lanes, cycle lanes, pedestrian crossings and longitudinal pedestrian strips. A double white-and-blue transverse marking identifies the beginning or end of a blue zone. Yellow therefore signals a specific rule, but it does not always mean an absolute prohibition for cars: read the exact marking and context.
Distinguish these white longitudinal lines:
- Broken lane line: you may cross it with due care, provided the manoeuvre is otherwise lawful and safe.
- Warning line with longer dashes: it announces an upcoming safety or combined line. Do not start overtaking unless you can safely finish before the continuous line.
- Continuous safety line: do not drive on or cross it. For a car driver’s infringement within a built-up area that qualifies for the fixed-penalty procedure, the listed fine is CHF 140; other circumstances can lead to ordinary proceedings.
- Combined continuous and broken line: the crossing restriction follows the line on your side. Drivers beside the broken line may cross with due care if the manoeuvre is otherwise permitted; drivers beside the continuous line may not.
A double continuous safety line binds traffic in both directions. When considering whether you may overtake, inspect the marking on your side and all the other conditions: sight distance, oncoming traffic, junctions, crossings and signs. A broken line alone is not permission to overtake unsafely.
Among yellow markings, a small detail changes the rule. The broken no-parking line with crosses prohibits parking; stopping to let people board or alight or to load and unload remains possible where no other rule prohibits it. The continuous no-stopping line prohibits voluntary stopping. Zigzag lines identify public-transport stops: you may stop briefly to let passengers board or alight only if you do not obstruct a bus or tram; loading goods and parking are prohibited. See parking and stopping for the wider rules and penalty conditions.
Swiss pedestrian crossings are generally yellow; on streets paved with stone blocks they may be white. At an uncontrolled crossing, give way to people already on it or waiting with a recognisable intention to cross, and stop if needed. Pedestrians do not have the same priority over trams. Do not overtake a vehicle that has slowed or stopped before the crossing to let pedestrians cross. A yellow no-stopping line normally extends at least 10 metres before the crossing; where it is absent, voluntary stopping within 5 metres before the crossing is still prohibited, subject to the stated legal exception for a separating island. For a car driver, failure to give way can carry a CHF 140 fixed penalty where that procedure applies; endangerment can lead to ordinary proceedings. Judge your braking distance early enough to stop safely.
Road markings work together with roadside signs. Priority signs such as Stop are supplemented by a stop line and the word “Stop”. Regulatory signs such as No stopping have corresponding yellow road markings. Warning signs can announce restricted visibility before a section with a continuous line. Information signs identify parking areas whose bays may be white or blue. Guide lines must not be placed at junctions governed by statutory priority to the right. Their absence, however, does not prove which rule applies: check the full situation before assuming priority to the right.
Tactile-visual markings (6.30–6.35) guide blind and partially sighted people using detectable ribs and raised dots. They are white, or yellow on the carriageway. They do not impose an additional special rule on motor traffic, but you must respect pedestrians and keep their routes usable. A tactile-visual safety line at a platform edge is different from a continuous safety line for vehicles. The Emergency escape lane marking points to a gravel escape area for a vehicle in technical difficulty, such as failed brakes.
The entries below explain the individual markings in this reference: meaning, typical location, mistakes to avoid and fixed penalties where a specific qualifying offence is listed. More serious conduct can be handled through ordinary proceedings.
Legal reference: Swiss Road Signalling Ordinance (SSV), official German text. English explanations summarise the rules; the original legal provisions govern.
| Category | Shape | Colour | Meaning | Legal effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warning signs | triangular | red border, white background | warn of a hazard | adapt your speed and driving to the danger |
| Regulatory signs | usually circular | red restrictions or blue instructions | prohibit or require an action | observe the rule; infringements can lead to penalties |
| Priority signs | varied: triangle, octagon, diamond | red and white, or yellow | determine who must give way | set priority at junctions and other conflict points |
| Information signs | rectangular | blue or green | give information and directions | identify roads, routes and applicable rules, such as motorway rules |
| Supplementary plates | small rectangles | white with black lettering | qualify the main sign | read together with the sign above |
| Road markings | lines and areas | white or yellow | organise the carriageway | carry traffic rules, for example do not cross a continuous safety line |
All 28 signs
6.01 Continuous white safety line
A continuous white line along the centre of the carriageway or between lanes. Vehicles must not drive on or cross it.
Where you will see it: At blind or hazardous locations such as bends, crests and approaches to junctions. It is at least 20 m long in built-up areas and at least 50 m outside them.
Common theory-test mistake: Do not confuse it with a broken lane line, which may be crossed with due care. You must not cross a safety line simply to finish overtaking. Where a short parallel broken line expressly permits crossing from your side, the special rule for that marking applies.
Penalties for infringements: CHF 140 for a car driver crossing or driving on a safety line in a built-up area, where the fixed-penalty procedure applies.
Do not confuse with: 6.02 Double continuous white safety lines, 6.04 Combined solid and broken line, 6.05 Warning line before a safety line
6.02 Double continuous white safety lines
Two continuous white lines separate opposing directions of traffic. They must not be driven on or crossed from either side.
Where you will see it: On roads with three or more lanes, or on two-lane roads where particular safety needs require them.
Common theory-test mistake: Do not confuse these with a combined solid-and-broken line. Two solid lines prohibit crossing from both directions; a solid-and-broken line prohibits crossing from the solid-line side.
Penalties for infringements: CHF 140 for a car driver crossing or driving on the lines in a built-up area, where the fixed-penalty procedure applies.
Do not confuse with: 6.01 Continuous white safety line, 6.04 Combined solid and broken line
6.04 Combined solid and broken line
Combines a continuous safety line with a broken lane line. You must not drive on or cross it from the solid-line side; from the broken-line side, you may do so with due care.
Where you will see it: Where visibility requires a restriction in only one direction, for example on long bends or before crests.
Common theory-test mistake: A common theory-test question: the line on your side determines whether crossing is allowed. A solid line on your side prohibits crossing it to overtake. A broken line does not by itself make overtaking safe or lawful; all other overtaking rules still apply.
Penalties for infringements: For cars: CHF 80 for stopping, or CHF 120 for parking for up to 60 minutes, beside the line without leaving a passage at least 3 m wide.
Do not confuse with: 6.01 Continuous white safety line, 6.02 Double continuous white safety lines, 6.05 Warning line before a safety line
6.05 Warning line before a safety line
A broken white line with long dashes warning of a continuous safety line or a combined solid-and-broken line ahead. It may itself still be crossed with due care.
Where you will see it: Immediately before continuous safety lines and combined lines. Required outside built-up areas; optional within them.
Common theory-test mistake: Do not start overtaking here unless you can finish safely before the continuous line begins. This situation is a common theory-test topic.
Do not confuse with: 6.01 Continuous white safety line, 6.04 Combined solid and broken line
6.06 Lane direction arrows
White arrows specify the direction in which traffic in each lane must proceed at the junction. Yellow lane arrows apply only to scheduled public buses.
Where you will see it: On the approach lanes to junctions, usually together with stop lines and traffic lights.
Common theory-test mistake: If you cannot change lane safely and lawfully before the junction, follow your lane's arrow and correct your route afterwards. Never cross a continuous line to correct a last-minute lane choice; a broken line does not remove your duty to avoid endangering or obstructing others.
Penalties for infringements: CHF 100 for a car driver failing to proceed in the direction of the lane arrows at a junction.
Do not confuse with: 6.07 Lane-change arrows
6.07 Lane-change arrows
Oblique white arrows warn that you must leave the lane in the direction shown.
Where you will see it: At the end of a lane, for example before a narrowing, a traffic island, or the end of an overtaking or acceleration lane.
Common theory-test mistake: Do not confuse these with lane direction arrows. Lane direction arrows tell you which way to go at a junction; these arrows tell you to change lane in good time.
Do not confuse with: 6.06 Lane direction arrows
6.08 Bus lane
A lane marked with yellow lines and the word BUS, reserved for scheduled public buses and, where applicable, trams. Signed or marked exceptions may admit other vehicles.
Where you will see it: On busy urban routes used by buses and trams.
Common theory-test mistake: A bus lane is not a shortcut through a queue. Unless an exception permits your vehicle, do not drive along it. You may cross it if necessary, for example to turn, only where its yellow boundary line is broken.
Penalties for infringements: CHF 60 for a car driver using a bus lane without permission.
Do not confuse with: 6.09 Cycle lane
6.09 Cycle lane
A cycle lane is bounded by a broken or continuous yellow line. Vehicles, including cycles, must not drive on or cross the continuous line.
Where you will see it: At the right-hand edge of the carriageway. Across junctions, it is marked only where entering vehicles must give way.
Common theory-test mistake: Check whether the yellow line is broken or continuous. You may cross a broken line cautiously when turning right, without obstructing cycle traffic; you must not cross a continuous line.
Penalties for infringements: For cars: CHF 60 for crossing or driving on the continuous cycle-lane line; CHF 120 for parking on a cycle lane for up to 60 minutes.
Do not confuse with: 6.08 Bus lane, 6.22 No-parking line
6.10 Stop line
A continuous white line across the carriageway showing where to stop at a Stop sign, or when required by traffic lights or a level crossing. No part of the vehicle may project beyond it.
Where you will see it: At Stop signs, with STOP also marked on the road, and before traffic lights, level crossings and turning lanes.
Common theory-test mistake: At a Stop sign, you must come to a complete standstill at the line. A rolling stop is an offence even if you stop again further forward to obtain a better view.
Penalties for infringements: CHF 60 for a car driver failing to stop completely at a Stop sign, known as a rolling stop.
Do not confuse with: 6.12 Continuous longitudinal line
6.12 Continuous longitudinal line
A continuous white longitudinal line accompanying a stop or give-way line and separating the two directions of traffic on the junction approach.
Where you will see it: Along the centre of the carriageway before junctions with Stop or Give way signs. It may be omitted on one-way roads.
Penalties for infringements: For cars: CHF 80 for stopping, or CHF 120 for parking for up to 60 minutes, beside the line without leaving a passage at least 3 m wide.
Do not confuse with: 6.01 Continuous white safety line, 6.10 Stop line
6.15 Edge line
A continuous white line showing the edge of the carriageway.
Where you will see it: At the right-hand and left-hand edges of the carriageway, especially outside built-up areas, and separating the hard shoulder on motorways.
Common theory-test mistake: The white edge line does not itself impose a stopping prohibition or authorise use of the hard shoulder. Do not confuse it with a continuous yellow no-stopping line, which prohibits voluntary stopping at the road edge.
Do not confuse with: 6.25 No-stopping line, 6.16.4 Deflection line
6.16.4 Deflection line
A continuous white line guiding traffic past islands and other built structures on the carriageway or at its edge.
Where you will see it: Before and alongside traffic islands, kerb build-outs and similar structures.
Do not confuse with: 6.15 Edge line, 6.20 Hatched areas
6.17 Pedestrian crossing
Yellow bars, or sometimes white bars on paved stone, run parallel to the road edge to mark a pedestrian crossing. At an uncontrolled crossing, pedestrians have priority over vehicles, except trams.
Where you will see it: Where pedestrians regularly cross. There is normally a continuous yellow no-stopping line at least 10 m long on the approach.
Common theory-test mistake: Never overtake a vehicle that has stopped to let pedestrians cross. Give way when someone is already on the crossing or is waiting and clearly intends to cross: slow down in good time and stop if necessary, without waiting for them to step into the carriageway.
Penalties for infringements: CHF 140 for a car driver failing to give way to pedestrians at a crossing, where the fixed-penalty procedure applies.
Do not confuse with: 6.19 Longitudinal pedestrian strip
6.19 Longitudinal pedestrian strip
A strip along a road without a pavement, bounded by continuous yellow lines and diagonal bars for pedestrians. Vehicles may use it only if they do not obstruct pedestrian traffic.
Where you will see it: Along roads without pavements, for example on bridges, at roadworks or on narrow roads outside built-up areas.
Common theory-test mistake: Do not confuse it with a pedestrian crossing. It runs along the road and does not itself give pedestrians priority when crossing the carriageway. Other priority duties still apply, including for an unaccompanied blind person signalling with a raised white cane.
Penalties for infringements: CHF 120 for parking a car on the strip for up to 60 minutes while obstructing pedestrians.
Do not confuse with: 6.17 Pedestrian crossing
6.20 Hatched areas
White hatched areas with a surrounding border guide and separate traffic. Vehicles must not enter them.
Where you will see it: At junctions, before traffic islands, at motorway entrances and exits, and wherever traffic streams need to be separated.
Common theory-test mistake: A hatched area is neither a shortcut when turning nor a waiting or parking space. Even briefly driving onto it or stopping there is prohibited.
Penalties for infringements: CHF 140 for a car driver crossing or driving over a hatched area in a built-up area, where the fixed-penalty procedure applies.
Do not confuse with: 6.16.4 Deflection line, 6.23 No-parking box
6.21 Yellow zigzag line
Marks a stop for scheduled public transport. Parking is prohibited; stopping is allowed only for passengers to board or alight, provided no public transport vehicle is obstructed.
Where you will see it: Along the road edge at bus and tram stops.
Common theory-test mistake: Zigzags mean more than no parking. Loading or unloading goods is also prohibited. Only a brief stop for passengers to board or alight is allowed, without obstructing a bus or tram.
Penalties for infringements: For cars: CHF 120 for parking on the zigzag marking for up to 60 minutes; CHF 80 for obstructive stopping to let passengers board or alight, or for stopping to load or unload goods.
Do not confuse with: 6.22 No-parking line, 6.25 No-stopping line
6.22 No-parking line
A yellow line interrupted by crosses along the road edge prohibits parking at the marked location. Stopping for passengers or loading remains possible where other rules allow it.
Where you will see it: Along the road edge, for example before entrances, at narrow sections or where parked vehicles would obstruct traffic or visibility.
Common theory-test mistake: Remember the yellow markings: a line interrupted by crosses means no parking; a continuous line means no voluntary stopping. Confusing them can cost you a straightforward theory-test point.
Penalties for infringements: For cars: CHF 40 for parking for up to 2 hours, CHF 60 for more than 2 and up to 4 hours, and CHF 100 for more than 4 and up to 10 hours.
Do not confuse with: 6.25 No-stopping line, 6.21 Yellow zigzag line, 6.23 No-parking box
6.23 No-parking box
A yellow box with a diagonal cross prohibits parking in the marked area.
Where you will see it: Before private access roads, fire-service and emergency access points, and in reserved areas such as taxi ranks, often with wording or a symbol.
Common theory-test mistake: If the box carries wording such as Taxi or a registration number, you may stop to let passengers board or alight, or to load or unload goods, only if you do not obstruct authorised users.
Penalties for infringements: For cars: CHF 40 for parking for up to 2 hours, CHF 60 for more than 2 and up to 4 hours, and CHF 100 for more than 4 and up to 10 hours.
Do not confuse with: 6.22 No-parking line, 6.20 Hatched areas
6.24 Double transverse blue-zone line
A white-and-blue double transverse line marks the beginning or end of a blue zone. The blue line is on the inside of the zone.
Where you will see it: Across the entrance or exit at the boundary of a blue-zone parking area.
Common theory-test mistake: This is not a Stop sign or a stop line. The white-and-blue line only marks where the blue zone begins or ends; it has a different purpose from a white stop line.
Do not confuse with: 6.10 Stop line
6.25 No-stopping line
A continuous yellow line along the road edge prohibits voluntary stopping at the marked location.
Where you will see it: Where even a brief stop would be dangerous or obstruct traffic, such as a narrow section. The same type of line is also used before pedestrian crossings.
Common theory-test mistake: Do not stop to make a phone call, wait or let passengers out. A traffic-required stop, such as in a queue, is different from voluntary stopping; a genuine emergency also requires appropriate action.
Penalties for infringements: For cars: CHF 80 for stopping on the no-stopping line; CHF 120 for parking there for up to 60 minutes.
Do not confuse with: 6.22 No-parking line, 6.15 Edge line, 6.21 Yellow zigzag line
6.26 Cycle waiting area (examples)
An area before traffic lights, marked by yellow stop lines, where cyclists and moped riders may wait side by side when the light is red.
Where you will see it: Before traffic lights, between the yellow stop line and the first white stop line, usually with a cycle lane leading into it.
Common theory-test mistake: In a car, stop before the first white stop line when the light is red. The area ahead is reserved for cyclists and moped riders.
Do not confuse with: 6.10 Stop line, 6.09 Cycle lane
6.30 Tactile and visual guidance lines (example)
Raised markings that can be felt underfoot or with a cane, in white or in yellow on the carriageway, guide blind and partially sighted people across pedestrian areas.
Where you will see it: In pedestrian areas such as station forecourts, public transport stops and wide pavements where built features do not provide sufficient guidance.
Do not confuse with: 6.31 Tactile and visual safety lines (example), 6.34 Tactile and visual attention fields (example)
6.31 Tactile and visual safety lines (example)
Mark the boundary of a danger area along public transport stops for blind and partially sighted people.
Where you will see it: Along the edges of bus and tram stops and railway platforms.
Common theory-test mistake: Despite the similar name, these are not lines for vehicle traffic. They guide visually impaired pedestrians; do not confuse them with the continuous white safety line 6.01.
Do not confuse with: 6.01 Continuous white safety line, 6.30 Tactile and visual guidance lines (example)
6.32 Tactile and visual branching fields (example)
Mark junctions in a guidance-line system for blind and partially sighted people.
Where you will see it: Where tactile and visual guidance lines branch.
Do not confuse with: 6.30 Tactile and visual guidance lines (example), 6.33 Tactile and visual end fields (example)
6.33 Tactile and visual end fields (example)
Show blind and partially sighted people where a tactile and visual guidance line ends.
Where you will see it: At the end of guidance lines, for example before entrances or destinations.
Do not confuse with: 6.32 Tactile and visual branching fields (example), 6.34 Tactile and visual attention fields (example)
6.34 Tactile and visual attention fields (example)
Mark the start and end of tactile and visual guidance lines and important intermediate destinations, and warn of hazards.
Where you will see it: At the start and end of guidance systems, at important intermediate destinations and before hazards.
Do not confuse with: 6.33 Tactile and visual end fields (example), 6.35 Tactile and visual blister fields (example)
6.35 Tactile and visual blister fields (example)
Mark access ramps for wheelchairs and the transition between a pedestrian area and the carriageway.
Where you will see it: At wheelchair ramps and transitions from the pavement to the carriageway.
Do not confuse with: 6.34 Tactile and visual attention fields (example)
6.36 Escape lane marking
Indicates a gravel arrester bed where a vehicle with a technical fault, such as brake failure, can be brought to a stop.
Where you will see it: On motorways and expressways, especially on long descents where an escape lane branches off to the side.
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