Vehicles Tax Vignette Switzerland

Vignette is a tax that is levied on vehicles in non English speaking countries that are a part of Europe. They term "vignette" is a French term. It is now used throughout central Europe.

Vignettes are used in Switzerland, as in many other countries. Some other countries where vignette taxes are applicable are:

1. Austria
2. Bulgaria
3. Czech Republic
4. Hungary
5. Montenegro
6. Romania
7. Slovakia
8. Slovenia

When you see a sticker attached to a car permitting it to carry up to 3.5 tons weight, know that it is means that the vignette tax has been paid by that particular vehicle. Vignettes are applicable on all types of passenger cars, motorcycles and on travel trailers. These vignettes are valid for a year, after which a fresh tax has to be paid.

You can obtain vignettes from gas stations and from expressways. There are some other labeled points from where vignettes can be paid too. They are made very carefully - in a way in which it is impossible to take the sticker off and reattach it without fully destroying it. Thus, it is ensured that a particular driver cannot use the same sticker in more than one vehicle.

A vignette which has not been used properly or one which has been lost is not refunded to the driver. The traffic on road is watched upon by roadside cameras. It is the duty of State officials and the traffic police to check the vignettes. Those who violate vignette tax have to pay a lump sum amount as violation charge.

Vignettes in every country have a fixed rule that is valid within the geographical boundaries of the country.

Vignette rule in Switzerland:

Those who travel via the motorways and the expressways, have to buy a vignette which will hold its validity for a period of fourteen months. The term begins on 1st December of one year and it extends up to 31st January of the following year. If you are outside Switzerland and you are in any of its bordering countries, you can purchase vignettes from gas stations and from other marked points.
If you are traveling through the motor networks without paying vignettes, it is a serious offence punishable by law. The Public Highways Act was formed to safeguard the interest of this form of tax. Follow the vignette rule and drive safe to avoid all unpleasant situations.