Korean Licence in Switzerland 2026: IDP, CHF 40 Vignette
South Korea
Switzerland
Yes. Swiss rules accept a foreign licence whose categories are in Latin script; a Hangul licence needs an IDP or translation beside it. Buy the CHF 40 vignette before any motorway.
Switzerland is one of the most rewarding drives in Europe: alpine passes, lakeside roads and well-kept infrastructure. A South Korean visitor stays on the right, as at home. Two things need sorting before the first motorway: a document that lets Swiss police read your licence, and a CHF 40 sticker.
Driving on a South Korean licence
Article 42 of the Swiss licensing ordinance (VZV) accepts a foreign national licence if its vehicle categories are shown clearly in Latin script; otherwise it must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit or a translation. A standard Korean licence is printed in Hangul, so the IDP is the simple answer. Apply for it in Korea before you leave, because it cannot be issued in Switzerland, and carry it with the licence and your passport. The Driving Permit Checker covers other countries on the trip.
The vignette is the thing everyone forgets
No car may use a Swiss motorway without a vignette. It costs CHF 40, there is no weekly or monthly version, and it is valid from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the following year. You can buy it as a windscreen sticker or as an e-vignette registered to the number plate. Driving a motorway without one is a CHF 200 fixed fine. A Swiss hire car should already have it; check before you set off. Our Switzerland vignette guide explains the details.
Speeds, alcohol and mountain driving
Limits are 50 km/h in towns, 80 outside them and 120 km/h on motorways. The fixed-fine ordinance sets 6-10 km/h over at CHF 120 in town, CHF 100 outside built-up areas and CHF 60 on motorways; larger excesses go to a prosecutor and the fine follows income. The alcohol limit is 0.05%, or 0.01% on a probationary licence, against Korea’s 0.03%. On alpine passes, use low gears on long descents and give way to uphill traffic on narrow sections. The general emergency number is 112.
See the full rules on our Switzerland driving guide and estimate a penalty with the Speeding Fine Calculator.
Sources
- Verkehrszulassungsverordnung (VZV, SR 741.51), art. 42 (recognition of foreign licences; Latin script, or IDP or translation): fedlex.admin.ch
- Ordnungsbussenverordnung (OBV, SR 314.11), Annex 1 no. 303 (speeding) and no. 6001 (no vignette, CHF 200): fedlex.admin.ch
- Federal Office for Customs and Border Security, e-vignette and adhesive vignette (CHF 40, validity): bazg.admin.ch
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Switzerland profile (50/80/120 km/h; 0.05 and 0.01 g/dl): who.int
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Republic of Korea profile (0.03 g/dl): who.int
- UN Treaty Collection, 1949 Convention on Road Traffic (Republic of Korea 1971): treaties.un.org
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
Your home country driving rules for reference
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as a visitor. Article 42 of the Swiss licensing ordinance accepts a foreign licence when its vehicle categories are clearly shown in Latin script, or with an International Driving Permit or translation. A standard Korean licence is printed in Hangul, so get the IDP in Korea before you fly and carry it with the licence and passport.
Yes, for every motorway. It costs CHF 40, comes as a windscreen sticker or an e-vignette linked to the plate, and runs from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the next. There is no short-term version. Driving a motorway without one is a CHF 200 fixed fine.
0.05%, and 0.01% on a probationary licence. South Korea's limit is 0.03%, so the Swiss figure is higher, but the safe habit from home of not drinking before driving still applies.