Can a South Korean Drive in Switzerland? — IDP Recommended + Buy the Vignette

Switzerland is one of the most rewarding drives in Europe — alpine passes, lakeside roads and famously good infrastructure. For a South Korean visitor the rules are mostly intuitive: you stay on the right, just like home. But there is one piece of Swiss road admin that catches almost every first-timer, and it has nothing to do with your licence.

Driving on a South Korean licence

For a tourist trip you can drive on your Korean licence, with an International Driving Permit recommended. The IDP is the official Roman-alphabet translation Swiss rental companies and police want to see alongside your original licence and passport — it is not a standalone document. Apply for it in South Korea before you leave, because you cannot obtain one in Switzerland. That covers a normal holiday.

The vignette is the thing everyone forgets

To drive on any Swiss motorway you need a vignette — an official sticker displayed on the windscreen, valid for the calendar year. You buy it at the border, at post offices or at petrol stations, and driving a motorway without a valid one risks a fine. If you are hiring a car, most rentals come with the vignette already fitted — confirm it before you set off so you are not caught out on your first motorway stretch. Our vignette countries guide and Switzerland vignette guide explain exactly how it works.

Speeds, alcohol and mountain driving

Limits are 50 km/h in towns, 80 on rural roads and 120 km/h on motorways — a touch faster than the 110 you may be used to. Switzerland enforces speeds aggressively with fixed and mobile cameras, and a minor over-limit fine starts around CHF 120. The alcohol limit is 0.05 BAC; treat it as no drinks before driving. On alpine passes, use low gears on long descents to save your brakes, and give way to uphill traffic on narrow sections. Petrol is about $1.92/litre, and the general emergency number is 112.

See the full rules on our Switzerland driving guide, confirm your documents with the Driving Permit Checker, and estimate any penalty with the Speeding Fine Calculator.