Mopeds in Switzerland (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: A moped (Motorfahrrad) needs special licence category M from age 14, and the rider must wear a helmet. It needs a registration certificate, a number plate and an insurance vignette. The motor-only design speed is at most 30 km/h.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age to ridePrivately owned; Moped (Motorfahrrad, special licence category M)14 years [1]
LicencePrivately owned; Moped (Motorfahrrad, special licence category M)Special licence category M (Motorfahrräder). [1]
Helmet requiredPrivately owned; Moped (Motorfahrrad, special licence category M)Yes [2]
Insurance requiredPrivately owned; Moped (Motorfahrrad, special licence category M)Yes [3]
Plate / registrationPrivately owned; Moped (Motorfahrrad, special licence category M)A moped is admitted to traffic with the registration certificate for Motorfahrräder, the number plate named in it and a valid insurance vignette. [1]
Maximum design speedPrivately owned; Moped (Motorfahrrad, special licence category M)up to 30 km/h (design speed) [4]

Notes

  • The minimum age is for the special category M licence. Art. 6 Abs. 4 lets the cantonal authority grant the licence earlier in some cases.
  • The helmet duty has exceptions, including riders with a medical certificate (Art. 3b Abs. 2 Bst. f) and persons on a Motorfahrrad with an electric drive that assists only up to 25 km/h (Bst. g). A bicycle helmet to standard SN EN 1078 is allowed on a Motorfahrrad (Abs. 3).
  • The moped is a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act. VZV Art. 90 also requires a valid insurance vignette for admission to traffic.
  • Figure for the fast moped (schnelles Motorfahrrad) class: motor-only design speed up to 30 km/h, motor power up to 1.00 kW, and either a combustion engine up to 50 cm3 or an electric drive whose pedal assistance works up to 45 km/h.

Sources

  1. Fedlex, Die Veröffentlichungsplattform des Bundesrechts (Swiss Confederation): Verordnung über die Zulassung von Personen und Fahrzeugen zum Strassenverkehr (Verkehrszulassungsverordnung, VZV), SR 741.51 (Stand am 1. Januar 2026) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Fedlex, Die Veröffentlichungsplattform des Bundesrechts (Swiss Confederation): Verkehrsregelnverordnung (VRV), SR 741.11 (Stand am 1. Oktober 2026) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Fedlex, Die Veröffentlichungsplattform des Bundesrechts (Swiss Confederation): Strassenverkehrsgesetz (SVG), SR 741.01 (Stand am 1. April 2025) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  4. Fedlex, Die Veröffentlichungsplattform des Bundesrechts (Swiss Confederation): Verordnung über die technischen Anforderungen an Strassenfahrzeuge (VTS), SR 741.41 (Stand am 1. Januar 2026) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.