According to media reports, the Swiss Federal Council has approved a set of regulations on autonomous driving, set to take effect on March 1, 2025. The regulations permit the use of autonomous driving features on highways and in parking scenarios, while also defining routes for fully autonomous pilot projects.
Starting in 2025, Switzerland will allow vehicles to use autonomous driving features on highways. The regulations specifically address Level 3 (L3) conditional automation, where the system temporarily takes over both lateral and longitudinal control. However, drivers must remain ready to intervene and take back control of the vehicle when prompted by the system.
The Swiss Parliament laid the groundwork for autonomous driving by amending the Road Traffic Act (SVG) in the spring of 2023. In the latest regulatory step, the Federal Council has codified these legal provisions into an ordinance. The finalized ordinance will come into effect in spring next year.
The ordinance permits three scenarios for autonomous driving:
1：Pilot Testing of L3 Autonomous Driving on Highways
Once activated, drivers can remove their hands from the steering wheel and are no longer required to continuously monitor traffic or the vehicle.
2：Unmanned Autonomous Parking
This will enable future implementation of autonomous parking in garages and designated parking spaces.
3：Use of Driverless Vehicles on Approved Routes
This scenario is primarily a prerequisite for advancing pilot projects further.
