Mobility of the future
Autonomous driving in Switzerland: Legal situation and future prospects
20.03.2025
New laws on autonomous driving have been in force in Switzerland since March 2025. For example, self-driving cars are allowed to drive on motorways under certain conditions. Which is why it is still likely to take some time for such vehicles to establish themselves on our roads and also at Mobility.
Autonomous driving in Switzerland: New regulations from 2025
Since the 1st March 2025, new laws for automated and self-driving driving will come into force in Switzerland. Cantons can also allow autonomous vehicles on certain routes, such as for self-driving buses or transport services.
In accordance with FEDRO (Federal Roads Office) three use cases are allowed:
Drivers of an automated vehicle may use a motorway pilot on motorways, but must be able to intervene at any time.
automated parking without the presence of a driver in defined and signposted car parks and parking spaces.
the use of driverless vehicles on officially approved routes.
-> Details on the individual use cases can be found in the Federal Government’s media release (link above).
Cantons also have the option of approving certain routes for driverless vehicles. This applies in particular to applications such as autonomous buses or transport vehicles in predefined areas, such as cities or company premises. Initial pilot projects are expected, particularly in the areas of logistics and public transport.
A key element of the new regulations is the obligation to type-approve vehicles with automation systems. Manufacturers must demonstrate that safety and traffic flow are maintained.
Stages of autonomous driving
Level 0: No assistance system -> driver fully controls himself
Level 1: Partial automation (e.g. Cruise control, Lane Keeping Assist)
Level 2: Assisted driving -> the system takes over some control
Level 3: Conditional automation –> driver can turn away, must be able to intervene
Level 4: Highly automated –> the car drives itself, driver is optional
Level 5: Fully automated –> no steering wheel, no driver required
«Before a use in car sharing can be considered, the legal situation must be a major step further and there must be a market for such vehicles at all.»Viktor Wyler, Head of the Fleet at Mobility
Autonomous driving and car sharing: Mobility is waiting for the moment
Despite the new laws, no cars with level 3 autonomous driving have yet been registered in Switzerland. Manufacturers have not yet applied for approvals, although their technologies are already being used actively in other countries. Reasons for this include strict security requirements as well as regulatory and infrastructural hurdles.
Self-driving cars are not currently an issue for Mobility either. “Before a deployment can be considered, the legal situation must be a big step further and there must be a market for such vehicles,” says Viktor Wyler, Head of Fleet at Mobility. “Then we will analyse the market and examine appropriate options. In the near future, I do not see widespread and economically sensible deployment as realistic,” continues Wyler.
Pilot project in the Canton of Zurich
Over the next five years, pilot projects involving self-driving shuttles, autonomous taxis and delivery robots are likely to be intensified. For example, in the canton of Zurich. As reported by SRF, is running a pilot project in four municipalities in Zurich Swiss Transit Lab and SBB. Cars transport people autonomously. “They no longer have a safety driver inside the vehicle, but the vehicles are able to move completely in traffic, but are always monitored remotely,” Matthias Rödter from the Swiss Transit Lab told SRF.
A nationwide introduction of private autonomous vehicles in the near future is unlikely. The main reasons are high costs, a lack of infrastructure and social acceptance. Most experts expect autonomous mobility services – i.e. car sharing models or robotaxis – to be introduced first before private individuals can purchase fully autonomous vehicles.