Are electric scooters legal in Switzerland?

By Life Racer
December 10, 2020
2:18 pm

The past twelve months we have seen a veritable boom in e-scooters in Swiss cities among young and old alike. What many people do not know is that traffic rules also apply to e-scooters. Electric scooter riders or those considering to purchase or begin riding electric scooters should refer to their local governments laws to obtain the most up-to-date information on the applicable, local legal standing of scooters.

If such a “vehicle” (e-bikes are excluded from this contribution) with an electric drive can be assigned to a legal vehicle type (e.g. motorbike) and all the technical requirements of this type of vehicle are met, so could drive it on certain public traffic areas. The vehicles can be divided as follows:

LEGAL BASIS FEDRO / ASTRA

We have compiled a list of the various performance categories for e-scooters in Switzerland based on the legal basis according to the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO).
For use on the road, the same conditions apply as for e-bikes.

UP TO 20 KM/H

If e-scooters have a frame, handlebar, forks and wheels that are sufficiently strong, they apply according to Art. 18 let. b VTS as light motorcycles. These are vehicles with a maximum of 0.5 kW engine power, a so-called design-related maximum speed of up to 20 km / h that can be achieved without human muscle power – i.e. with pure engine power, as well as any pedal assistance that is effective up to a maximum of 25 km / h.

MAXIMUM SPEED

20 km/h (with pedal assistance up to a maximum of 25 km/h)

MOTOR POWER

500 watt

MINIMUM AGE

14 years

DRIVING LICENSE

A driver’s license (category M) is required from 14-16 years, Art. 6 Abs. 1 Lit a. From the age of 16 years, it is possible to ride without a driver’s license.

HELMET

Wearing a helmet is recommended, but not mandatory.

LICENSE PLATE

Not required, Art. 72 VZV

VEHICLE INSURANCE

Not required, Art. 38 VVV

For use on the road, the same conditions apply in Switzerland as for e-bikes. The e-scooter must meet the ASTRA specifications for slow e-bikes. If the device meets these requirements, it is automatically approved. There is no approval in the form of a certificate or identity card. In principle, international versions are produced that do not meet the requirements of ASTRA.

UP TO 30 KM/H

If the designed maximum speed is more than 20 km/h or the motor is between 500 and 1000 watts, the vehicle falls into the motor-assisted “fast”bike category Art. 18 let. a VTS and requires a type approval. With the right driving licence, you get the yellow moped number plate and badge. In this category, it’s also compulsory to wear a helmet. One of the things your vehicle will need is a seat, rear-view mirror, like the ones mounted on e-bikes, that reach speeds up to 45 km/h (S-Pedelecs).

MAXIMUM SPEED

30 km/h (with pedal assistance up to a maximum of 45 km/h)

MOTOR POWER

500 – 1000 watt

MINIMUM AGE

14 years

DRIVING LICENSE

A driver’s license (category M) is required from 14 years, Art. 6 Abs. 1 Lit a.

HELMET

A cycle helmet should be worn. It is compulsory to wear a helmet when riding a “fast” e-bike or e-scooter. Helmet must comply with the DIN EN Norm 1078.

TYPE APPROVAL

Required

LICENSE PLATE

Yellow license plate is required, Art. 72 VZV

VEHICLE INSURANCE

Compulsory liability insurance is required, i.e. a vignette to be renewed annually (can be obtained from the road traffic office of the canton of residence )

WHAT DOES MEAN "MAXIMUM SPEED"?

e-bikes and mopeds can go up to 25 km/h with the help of a motor. There’s a distinction between the highest speed the vehicle is built for and the highest speed that can be reached with the help of pedalling. The highest speed the vehicle is built for means that the vehicle is allowed to go faster than 20 km/h on the flat when it’s just being controlled by the motor. If you can also pedal to power the vehicle, the motor can only support speeds of up to 25 km/h.

WHERE CAN I DRIVE AND WHERE NOT?

e-Scooters with a motor are covered in Art. 18 Letter a and b. VTS They are classified as “Motorfahrräder” (Motor bicycles). This classification is important for traffic rules and where you are allowed to ride it.

An enormus THANKS to Zurich city police and the company TCS for a graphic table that gives a good overview of the current legal situation and to simply explain the traffic regulations and other must knows ( avaliable only in German).

Swiss Council for Accident Prevention BFU (BFU, Beratungsstelle für Unfallverhütung) is also offering a wide brochure about the trafic regulations, with a detailed description of where you can ride with the mentioned categories.

！ The sidewalk is off-limits! E-scooters belong on the cycle path or on the road.

！ The maximum speed is 20 km/h.

！ You must use arm signals to indicate that you want to turn, just as you would when riding a bicycle.

！ In addition, the minimum age for riding an e-scooter is 14. 14- to 16-year olds require a category M (mopeds) driver’s license. Riders aged 16 or above do not need a driver’s license.

！ Wearing a helmet is recommended, but not mandatory

The sidewalk is off-limits! E-scooters belong on the cycle path or on the road.

Life Racer Team

“SLOW” E-SCOOTERS

“FAST” E-SCOOTERS

Mandatory

Drive at
walking speed

Drive at
walking speed whit the engine switched off

FORBIDDEN
Push the “vehicle”

Allowed up to 20km/h

Allowed

Allowed up to 30km/h

FORBIDDEN

Allowed

Allowed only when the engine switched off

Allowed

Allowed only when the engine switched off

Allowed

Allowed only when the engine switched off

TRAFFIC OFFENDERS FACE THE FOLLOWING FINES AND PENALTIES

UP TO 45 KM/H

Almost all of vehicles that are faster than 20 km/h and have more than 500 watts have to be registered in Switzerland and have a Swiss type approval. E-Scooter with maximum speed up to 45 km/h and with maximum motor power up to 4.0 kW can be redeemed as a small motorcycle (category A1 up to 45 km / h) ART. 14 VTS and have the following properties:

MAXIMUM SPEED

45 km/h

MOTOR POWER

up to 4000 watt

MINIMUM AGE

16 years

DRIVING LICENSE

A driver’s license (category A1) is required from 16 years, Art. 6 Abs. 1 Lit a.

HELMET

Helmet should be worn. It is compulsory to wear a helmet when riding.

TYPE APPROVAL

Required

LICENSE PLATE

Yellow license plate is required, Art. 72 VZV

VEHICLE INSURANCE

Required

Appointment at the Road Traffic Office

While this is a new vehicle, you will receive the following documents:

！ EC Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

！ Audit report (form 13.20A)

With these documents you can easily make an appointment.

Insurance

Similar to redeeming a car, liability insurance must first be taken out with an insurance agent. With the form 13.20 you will receive proof of insurance. Insurance company will send the insurance certificate directly to the road traffic office.

The vehicles can be registered at Road Traffic Office with proof of MFK test using form 13.20. Please also note the special regulations for electric vehicles.