Are Swiss speeding fines based on your salary?
For serious offences, yes. The court sets a penalty in day-fines, between 3 and 180 of them, and one day-fine is usually CHF 30 to CHF 3,000, set by your personal and economic circumstances. Small offences are fixed fines.
Ep. 59 · Ding or Clonk? · 60 seconds. Watch
The real rule
Why the Swiss laugh, and what it means if you're new here.
Switzerland has two kinds of fines for drivers. Small offences cost a fixed amount. For serious offences, the fine is counted in day-fines, and each day-fine follows your personal and economic circumstances, so a high income means a high fine. As a newcomer, the cheapest route is the one Ueli takes: the limit.
Blüemli's verdict: Ding. For serious cases. Up to 180 day-fines, CHF 30 to 3,000 each.
TAGESSATZ: literally: “day rate”; really: a fine counted in days of your income Ueli's Word
Be like Ueli. Drive the limit. It is cheaper than your salary.
Learn more: Exchanging your driving licence
The rule, explained
The Swiss Criminal Code, Art. 34, sets out the day-fine: at least 3 and at most 180 of them. One day-fine is usually at least CHF 30 and at most CHF 3,000, and it is set according to the offender's personal and economic circumstances. That is how a fine can follow a salary. Wikinews, citing CBS, NBC and AP, reported a case from the cantonal court of St. Gallen in January 2010: a wealthy repeat offender, caught at 137 km/h in an 80 zone, fined CHF 299,000, about USD 290,000. Everyday small offences work differently: they are fixed fines under the Ordnungsbussenverordnung (SR 314.11). So your salary matters in serious cases, not for a small ticket.
Sources: Swiss Criminal Code, Art. 34, on fedlex; Wikinews, Swiss millionaire gets record speeding fine; Ordnungsbussenverordnung (SR 314.11)
Questions people ask
How much is a day-fine in Switzerland?
Usually at least CHF 30 and at most CHF 3,000, set by your personal and economic circumstances (Criminal Code, Art. 34).
Are small traffic fines in Switzerland based on income?
No. Small offences are fixed fines under the Ordnungsbussenverordnung (SR 314.11).
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