Swiss vignette - confused (as usual)

[wheeledwidewebb]

I thought that a Swiss vignette was like the Austrian one, just a sticker that you buy and display.

At the border though on Monday the Swiss staff seemed to want me to fill out some form for some kind of road tax, is that the same thing?

I never did find out first hand cos I turned round and drove the other way.

 

[t'other dave]

No idea, I was stopped by Swiss border peeps they asked me if I was planning to use any autoroutes When I said dunno might? They said buy one and stick it to the bike job done. It is just like the Austrian one but lasts a year.
Remember to stick it to the bike though its a finable offence not to.

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

Didn't get that option, just got sent to an office and presented with some form. Nobody seemed any help what so ever.

 

[The Phantom Pieman]

sounds odd - what border post?

Normal you just go in, buy one an "stick it" on your bike. I have never ever filled out a form in 8 years of buying them !

 

[markbmw]

AFAIK a Swiss vignette is only required if you use Swiss motorways and not main roads.
Didnt fill out any forms for mine, just bought it at the Post Office. It must be stuck to a non removable part of the bike also otherwise you can be fined.

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

It was the A25/e60 coming south from Mulhouse to Basel

 

[Noddy]

Very strange Just buy one at a filling station before you get there or at the border, pay your money, get the sticker and carry on. Never ever seen any paperwork other than a receipt.

 

[kennyc]

been through that crossing dozens of times, and twice this year, each time I've had to buy a vignette,or have already had it , never had to fill out any forms, got to say its getting difficult to go through Switzerland without a vignette now days, too many shot bits of "motorway"

 

[markbmw]

Kenny you are right. I think the swiss motorway system is designed so you have to buy a vignette even if you live there.Really unless you are just commuting around town then you will need one.
Incidentally it is 40 CHF for 2010 and not for a year after you purchase. That is also a rip off, as if you arrive CH on 30 Dec you would have to pay 40CHF and then another 40CHF on the first of January for the new year.

It does make you wonder why foreign cars are not charged the same visiting UK though. It would make sense, after all Motorway tolls and vignettes are just taxes, so you and I subsidise foreign drivers on our roads through our road tax.

 

[stolzy]

It was the A25/e60 coming south from Mulhouse to Basel

Bizarre, I buy several vignettes each year at this very frontier post, just hand over the dosh or CC stick it on and off you go.

 

[swissrob]

Incidentally it is 40 CHF for 2010 and not for a year after you purchase. That is also a rip off, as if you arrive CH on 30 Dec you would have to pay 40CHF and then another 40CHF on the first of January for the new year.

totally incorrect.

vignette is valid until jan 31 the following year eg 2010 vignette expires at 00:01 1st feb 2011.

And from around end of november/ start of december you can buy the next years vignette.

Bizarre, I buy several vignettes each year at this very frontier post, just hand over the dosh or CC stick it on and off you go.

agreed, the form is very odd, i know someone that works on the zoll and he has no idea what you were given to fill in... there is no registration for it, pay and then they give it to you.

Maybe they thought you wanted to import something? it was the swiss you spoke to wasnt it?

 

[The Phantom Pieman]

if you arrive CH on 30 Dec you would have to pay 40CHF and then another 40CHF on the first of January for the new year.

How often do you come this way on your GS on the 30th December??

Actually the vignette is valid for 13 months - 1st jan through to 1st Feb the following year.

Quit whining ....

 

[stolzy]

Quit whining ....

I think a little whining is justified. This system puts the foreign visitor at a large disadvantage compared to the locals.

Which is probably just how the Swiss like it.

Austrian system is much fairer.

 

[markbmw]

How often do you come this way on your GS on the 30th December??

Actually the vignette is valid for 13 months - 1st jan through to 1st Feb the following year.

Quit whining ....

Actually I work in Winterthur outside Zurich once every 6 weeks, but whining is not the point. Surely this forum is for advising others who may not know. How do they get this information if people are being accused of whining?
And unfortunately in this case yes I do visit very regularly.

 

[kennyc]

I think a little whining is justified. This system puts the foreign visitor at a large disadvantage compared to the locals.

Which is probably just how the Swiss like it.

Austrian system is much fairer.

as opposed to the old system, that allowed the whole of Europe to use and wear out the Swiss motorway system and left the Swiss to pay for it? if you have got to Switzerland from the UK the Vignette is small cheese, about one refuel. and if you want to go around you will probably find it a smidgeon more costly

 

[markbmw]

totally incorrect.

vignette is valid until jan 31 the following year eg 2010 vignette expires at 00:01 1st feb 2011.

And from around end of november/ start of december you can buy the next years vignette.


?

Interesting point SwissRob. I was definitely told that in the Post Office, and though my swiss German is poor, I would not have misunderstood to that extent.
I will recheck in 2 weeks time when I return to see how this mistake happened.
Thanks for your correction, which I definitely need to know.

 

[bisbee]

Do people sell these stickers upon their return if they only have one for a couple of weeks? or is the glue too sticky

 

[SamD]

Do people sell these stickers upon their return if they only have one for a couple of weeks? or is the glue too sticky

They are cut so that they tear when you try to remove them The only way you would be able to sell it is if you get away without actually sticking it to the bike

 

[Rasher]

Last year we crossed into Switzerland near Montreux (with pre-bought vignette) and went about 30 miles along Motoway before turning off for our Hotel near Morgins.

Over the next few days we rode over a whole load of pass roads, all of which completely justified the cost of the Vignette, wonderfully surfaced ribbons of twisting tarmac that put British roads to shame.

Worth every damn penny

If anything you should moan about the fact a tank of petrol costs the same, or a light meal for two, the Vignette was the best value Swiss purchase we made, without it we could not have got to and from these amazing roads so easily.

You can always take the scenic route and avoid the motorways entirely, that way you get to ride the Swiss roads FOC.

We stuck ours in zip up bags that were taped to the screen - I did not even realise this was not allowed until recently, we never got hassled and I sold mine on return to blighty.

 

[swissrob]

They are cut so that they tear when you try to remove them The only way you would be able to sell it is if you get away without actually sticking it to the bike

nope, stick it to your trousers a few times, then on the screen, easily peels off