THE FOLLOWING ARE MANDATORY WHEN DRIVING IN SWITZERLAND AND MUST BE CARRIED IN THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES:

* VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOCUMENT
* LETTER OF AUTHORITY TO DRIVE, IF YOU ARE NOT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE
* CURRENT M.O.T. CERTIFICATE
* CURRENT CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE (MULTI-LINGUAL ON REVERSE)
* PHOTOCARD DRIVING LICENCE OR INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT, IF YOUR DRIVING LICENCE DOES NOT HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH, A PASSPORT IS NEEDED TO VALIDATE THE DRIVING LICENCE.
* SPARE BULB KIT
* WARNING TRIANGLE
* FIRST AID KIT
* INTERNATIONAL ACCIDENT DECLARATION FORM

Autobahn tolls:
In Switzerland you pay an annual motorway tax, even if you're only using the motorways for an hour or two. A vehicle sticker, or vignette, (in 2003 costing CHF40 for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum total weight) must be displayed on the windscreen by all vehicles. Of course, if you don't need to use a motorway you don't need to pay, although it's difficult to cross the country without doing so. If you don't display a vignette you'll be liable to a fine of CHF100 plus the cost of the vignette. You can buy the stickers in the UK from the Switzerland Travel Centre. Call them on 0207 420 4934 for information or buy online at http://www.switzerlandtravelcentre.co.uk/vignette.html?gclid=CMrxrsXk_5gCFQ00QwodbhPimA. You can also buy them in Switzerland from customs offices at the frontier or service stations, garages and post offices. If you do not have one, you may be pulled over by the police and fined 100 CHF plus the 40 CHF to purchase the sticker. We know this from experience.

Children in cars:
Children under 7 cannot travel in the front unless they use a proper child restraint. Children between 7 and 12 must use seat belts or child restraints, which are appropriate to their size and age.

Mobile Telephones:
The use of telephones is prohibited without a suitable hands-free system being fitted in the vehicle; Bluetooth systems DO NOT comply. Even the use of hands-free systems is NOT advised. The fine for any infringement is 100 Swiss Francs.

Lights:
Dipped headlights are COMPULSORY at all times, no exceptions. Fog lights should only be used in times of fog and snow. Fines for non-compliance are 60 Swiss Francs.

Drinking and Driving:
Don't do it. The law is very strict, random testing is carried out, anything over 0.08 per cent and you could face anything up to imprisonment. If you hold a driving license and are travelling in a car with a drunk driver, you are equally responsible under Swiss law.

Seat belts:
Compulsory for front and rear seat occupants, if fitted.

Visibility Vests:
These are now compulsory in Italy and Spain (and likely to become compulsory throughout the EU) if you need to walk on a motorway. You don't have to carry one, but if you breakdown on the motorway you will be breaking the law if you walk to an emergency phone without one. A suitable high visibility vest is supplied by Advanced Safety Products and conforms to BS EN471: 1994 Class 2.

Fines:
Please note that on the spot fines are payable for infringing some traffic regulations. Ensure the officer collecting the fine issues an official receipt. Remember - Speeding and other traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines. The size of fines varies depending on the offence:
20 to 40 Swiss Francs, for excesses from 1 to 5 km/h.
60 to 120 Swiss Francs, for excesses from 6 to 10 km/h.
120 to 250 Swiss Francs, for excesses from 11 to 15 km/h.
180 to 240 Swiss Francs, for excesses from 16 to 20 km/h.
For excesses from 21 to 25 km/h, the fine is 260 Swiss Francs to appearing in court and maybe losing your licence for driving more than 25 km/h over.

Speed limits:
As shown below, are implemented rigorously. Radar traps are frequent.

Motorways = 120km/h
Dual Carriageways = 80km/h
Open Road = 80kph
Towns = 50 km/h.

Special Notes:
Spectacle wearers are required to carry a spare pair.
Since 1st Jan 2002 Dipped headlights are compulsory day and night.
Snow chains/tyres may be required in winter.
Seasonal restrictions apply on certain mountain roads and passes.
On narrow mountain roads vehicles travelling uphill assume the right of way.
In some areas the engine must be switched off if waiting for any length of time (traffic lights, rail crossings).

Quirk:
Single-lane motorways are everywhere and slightly off-putting at first (especially as they're signed in green, not blue), but you get used to them.

Final thought:
Don't plan to drive through without any Swiss currency (you'll need it to get into the toilets at service stations)