Swiss police catch 191 drivers without a motorway vignette

The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) recently ran a targeted Swiss motorway vignette check at the border between Switzerland, France and Germany.

Large-scale police operation at Basel border

On Saturday, September 12, police spent several hours taking part in a “large-scale” check to make sure cars entering Switzerland displayed a valid motorway vignette, according to Watson.

Cars were checked at the Basel/St. Louis and Basel/Weil am Rhein motorway border crossings. In total, 191 vehicles were stopped by police because they didn’t have a vignette. 111 of these were cars or vans with Swiss license plates.

Fines & vignette rules for drivers in Switzerland

Travelling on a motorway in Switzerland without a valid vignette can result in a fine. Drivers caught by the police in Basel had to immediately purchase a 40 Swiss franc vignette and pay a 200-franc fine on the spot. 

All vehicles in Switzerland, whether owned by residents or visitors passing through, must have a valid vignette to travel on Swiss motorways. The yearly vignette can be bought online, either as a sticker sent to you by post or as an electronic version (e-vignette). Vignettes remain valid until January 31 of the following year and must be renewed annually.