What to carry
What you must carry in your car in Switzerland
A hire car does not always come with these. Check the boot before you drive away. Every item links to the official source it was checked against, with the date.
Required by law
What you must carry in the car
- Warning triangle
Only the warning triangle. Switzerland does not require a hi-vis vest, a first aid kit or a fire extinguisher in a car, which surprises drivers arriving from Austria, France or Italy. Keep the triangle where you can reach it from inside the car, not in the boot under the luggage. Check the hire car has one before you drive away.
Checked 9 Sep 2026 · official source
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Worth carrying anyway
What you should carry, but do not have to
- High-visibility vest
A hi-vis vest is not required by law here, but TCS advises carrying one and wearing it any time you have to leave the car on the road — after a breakdown or a crash. It makes you visible to traffic.
Checked 9 Sep 2026 · official source
Winter equipment
Tyres and chains are equipment too, and the rules usually apply only between set dates or on signed roads.
Winter tyres
Not required
There is no legal duty to fit winter tyres in Switzerland. But you must stay in control of the car at all times, and if you cause a crash or block the road on a snowy road with the wrong tyres you can be held liable and your insurer may not pay in full. On a mountain road in winter, fit them. ch.ch advises changing them from October until around Easter.
Checked 9 Sep 2026 · official source
Snow chains
Required where signs say so
Where the "Schneeketten obligatorisch" sign is up, you may only drive on that stretch with metal snow chains on at least two driven wheels of the same axle. Devices of other materials are allowed if ASTRA has approved them. The sign comes down as soon as good tyres are enough, and a separate end sign cancels it.
Checked 9 Sep 2026 · official source