A

ASTRA / FEDRO

Federal Roads Office (in German ASTRA - Bundesamt für Strassen, in French OFROU, in Italian USTRA). Federal authority responsible for vehicle type approval in Switzerland, management of the type approval register and road safety.

Automobile tax

Federal tax of 4% of the vehicle value, payable when importing a vehicle into Switzerland. Collected by customs (FOCBS) during customs clearance. Applies to all motor vehicles regardless of origin.

See also: Customs clearance, VAT, FOCBS / BAZG

AWD (All-Wheel Drive)

Drivetrain where all four wheels receive power from the engine. Also called 4x4 or integral drive. Indicated on the type approval certificate. Other drivetrain types: FWD (front-wheel drive) and RWD (rear-wheel drive).

B

Bonus-malus

Motor vehicle liability insurance pricing system. The bonus reduces the premium in the absence of claims (up to 70% reduction). The malus increases it after an at-fault accident. Each insurer applies its own scale.

C

Casco

Optional insurance covering damage to your own vehicle. Partial casco covers theft, hail, broken glass, fire and natural forces. Full casco adds collision damage and vandalism.

COC (Certificate of Conformity)

European certificate of conformity issued by the manufacturer for each new vehicle. Certifies compliance with European type approval (WVTA). Essential document for importing EU vehicles into Switzerland.

CO2 (emissions)

Carbon dioxide emissions in grams per kilometre (g/km), measured according to the WLTP cycle. Determines the CO2 penalty calculation when importing and the energy label assignment in Switzerland.

CO2 tax

Financial penalty applied to importers whose fleet exceeds the average CO2 emissions target. For individual imports, a surcharge may apply if the vehicle exceeds the target value set by the ordinance.

Customs clearance

Mandatory customs procedure when importing a vehicle into Switzerland. Includes payment of VAT (8.1%), automobile tax (4%) and customs duties if applicable. Carried out at FOCBS.

See also: Parallel import, CO2 tax, VAT, FOCBS / BAZG

D

Displacement

Total volume swept by the pistons in the engine, expressed in cm3 (cubic centimetres) or litres. Technical data shown on the type approval certificate. Some cantons use it to calculate the motor vehicle tax.

E

eCOC

Electronic version of the Certificate of Conformity (COC). Digitally signed XML format, transmitted directly to registration authorities. Used in the Swiss registration system for vehicles imported with European type approval.

Energy label

Classification from A to G indicating the energy efficiency of a new vehicle. Mandatory in Switzerland for new passenger cars. Based on CO2 emissions (WLTP) weighted by kerb weight.

EU type approval

European recognition of a vehicle type (WVTA) under Regulation 2018/858. Number format: eX*2018/858*XXXXX where X = country code (e1=Germany, e2=France, e4=Netherlands, e9=Spain, e11=United Kingdom).

Euro (emission standards)

European pollutant emission standards (Euro 1 to Euro 7). Define limits for NOx, particulates, CO and HC. Euro 6e is the standard in force for new vehicles since September 2023. Euro 7 applies to new types from 2025.

E-Vignette

Electronic motorway vignette available since August 2023. Linked to the vehicle registration number. Same price as the sticker (CHF 40), but transferable once to another vehicle. Purchase exclusively at e-vignette.ch (Via Portal, FOCBS).

EVI (Einzelabnahme)

See IVI. German term for individual vehicle approval in Switzerland. Commonly used across all linguistic regions.

F

FEDRO

Federal Roads Office. Swiss authority responsible for vehicle type approval, road safety and national roads. Manages the Newdata/TARGA database of type approvals.

Field 18

Field on the Swiss vehicle registration document containing the registration number (Stammnummer) in the format XXX.XXX.XXX. Used to identify IVI/IVIX vehicles. Allows searching on SwissCarInfo when field 24 contains IVI, IVIX or X.

Field 23

Field on the Swiss vehicle registration document containing the vehicle's chassis number (VIN). This unique 17-character code is physically verified during each MFK inspection.

Field 24

Field on the Swiss vehicle registration document containing the type approval number (e.g. 1VD123) or the indication IVI/IVIX for individually approved vehicles, or X for vehicles without a recognised Swiss type approval.

Fiscal power

Calculated value for cantonal vehicle tax. The method varies by canton: based on displacement, power (kW), weight, CO2 emissions or a combination. Consult your canton's scale.

FIN (Fahrzeug-Identifizierungsnummer)

German term for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Unique 17-character code identifying each vehicle worldwide. Synonym for "chassis number".

FOCBS / BAZG

Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (in German BAZG, in Italian UDSC). Authority responsible for customs clearance of imported vehicles and management of the Via Portal for the e-vignette.

Form 13.20A

Official FOCBS form for the customs declaration of a vehicle imported into Switzerland. Must be completed at the customs post during import. Also called "form 18.44" in some cantons.

G

Green card

International motor insurance card (officially "international insurance certificate"). Certifies liability coverage in member countries of the system. Useful when travelling abroad with a vehicle registered in Switzerland.

Gross vehicle weight (GVW)

Maximum authorised laden weight. Maximum weight of the loaded vehicle including passengers and luggage. Must never be exceeded. Determines the driving licence required (B up to 3,500 kg, C above).

H

Homologation

Official procedure by which a vehicle is recognised as compliant with Swiss safety and environmental standards. Can be a type approval (series-produced model) or an individual approval (IVI, unique vehicle).

Hybrid

Vehicle combining a combustion engine and electric motor(s). Types: MHEV (mild hybrid), HEV (full hybrid), PHEV (plug-in hybrid). The type approval certificate shows combined CO2 emissions and electric range (PHEV).

I

IVI (Individual Vehicle Approval)

Indication in field 24 of the vehicle registration document. Indicates a vehicle individually imported and registered via a European COC or an eCOC certificate, without a standard Swiss type approval. Search on SwissCarInfo via the registration number (field 18).

See also: Homologation, IVIX, Field 18, Field 24

IVIX

Variant of IVI in field 24. The "X" means the owner or importer has refused publication of certain technical data (data protection). Search possible via the registration number (field 18).

K

Kerb weight

Weight of the vehicle in running order: without passengers or load, but with full tanks (fuel, oil, fluids) and standard equipment. Shown on the type approval certificate and the vehicle registration document.

kW (kilowatt)

International unit of measurement for engine power. 1 kW = 1.36 HP (horsepower). Power in kW appears on all Swiss and European type approval documents. Also used for electric motors.

L

Liability insurance (RC)

Mandatory insurance in Switzerland covering damage caused to third parties when using a vehicle. Prerequisite for registration. The premium amount varies by canton, vehicle and driver profile.

See also: Casco, Registration, Bonus-malus

LSVA / RPLP

Performance-related heavy vehicle fee (in German LSVA). Swiss per-kilometre tax for commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Calculated based on total weight, Euro category and kilometres driven. Replaces the vignette for these vehicles.

M

MFK (Motorfahrzeugkontrolle)

Mandatory vehicle inspection in Switzerland. Safety, emissions and conformity check. First inspection: 4 years after first registration, then every 3 years (passenger cars). Carried out by the cantonal road traffic office.

Motorway / Semi-motorway

Swiss national roads subject to the motorway vignette. Motorways have at least 2x2 lanes with central divider. Semi-motorways are roads with separated carriageways without direct access. The network totals approximately 1,900 km.

Motorway vignette

Mandatory usage fee for Swiss motorways and semi-motorways. Price: CHF 40/year. Available as a sticker or e-vignette. Validity: 14 months (1 December to 31 January). Fine: CHF 200 + mandatory purchase.

N

NEDC

New European Driving Cycle. Former protocol for measuring emissions and consumption, replaced by WLTP in 2018. NEDC values were notoriously lower than real-world consumption due to unrepresentative test conditions.

Newdata / TARGA

Official FEDRO database containing all type approval certificates of Swiss vehicles. SwissCarInfo provides access to this data via a simplified and enhanced interface.

O

OBD (On-Board Diagnostics)

Mandatory on-board diagnostic system (OBD-II / EOBD). Monitors the vehicle's anti-pollution systems. During the MFK inspection, the inspector connects an OBD reader to check for faults and emission anomalies.

P

Parallel import

Purchase of a new vehicle in another country (usually the EU) by a private individual or independent importer, outside the manufacturer's official network. Requires customs clearance, type approval and inspection before registration in Switzerland.

See also: COC, Customs clearance, Form 13.20A

Payload

Difference between the gross vehicle weight (GVW) and the kerb weight of the vehicle. Represents the maximum weight of passengers and cargo that can be transported. Data shown on the type approval certificate.

First registration

Date of the first registration of the vehicle, in Switzerland or abroad. Determines the vehicle age for MFK inspection intervals, depreciation and insurance. Shown on the vehicle registration document.

R

Registration

Official registration of a vehicle with the cantonal road traffic office. Requirements: valid type approval or individual approval, liability insurance (RC), inspection certificate (MFK for used vehicles), payment of cantonal tax.

Registration number (Stammnummer)

Swiss identification number (Stammnummer) in the format XXX.XXX.XXX (9 digits, soon 12 with an additional .XXX). Assigned to each vehicle. Shown in field 18 of the vehicle registration document. Useful for searching IVI/IVIX vehicles on SwissCarInfo.

Road traffic office

Cantonal service (Strassenverkehrsamt / Service des automobiles / Ufficio della circolazione) responsible for vehicle registration, issuing driving licences and organising MFK inspections. Each Swiss canton has its own.

T

TARGA

FEDRO information system for type approvals. Historical term used to refer to Swiss type approval certificates or the Newdata database.

Technical data sheet

Alternative name for the type approval certificate. Official FEDRO document containing all the technical specifications of an approved vehicle: dimensions, weight, engine, emissions, etc.

Towable weight

Maximum authorised mass for a towed trailer, shown on the type approval certificate. A distinction is made between braked towable weight (trailer with brakes) and unbraked. Value set by the manufacturer.

Type approval

Official approval of a vehicle model in Switzerland (Typengenehmigung). The number (e.g. 1VD123) appears in field 24 of the vehicle registration document and provides access to the complete technical data sheet via SwissCarInfo. Assigned by FEDRO.

Typengenehmigung

German term for type approval. Official approval of a vehicle model by ASTRA/FEDRO for the Swiss market.

Typenschein

German term for type approval certificate or technical data sheet. Official FEDRO/ASTRA document containing all the technical specifications of an approved model.

V

VAT (Value Added Tax)

Standard rate in Switzerland: 8.1% (since 1 January 2024). Applies when importing a vehicle, calculated on the vehicle value + transport costs + customs duties.

VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section)

Characters 4 to 9 of the VIN. Describe the vehicle characteristics: model, body type, engine, transmission. The coding is specific to each manufacturer.

Vehicle category

Official classification of vehicles by type and use: M1 (passenger cars), M2/M3 (buses), N1/N2/N3 (commercial vehicles), L (motorcycles, quadricycles), O1-O4 (trailers). Determines approval requirements, required licences and inspection intervals.

Vehicle registration document

Official document (Fahrzeugausweis / Permis de circulation) certifying the registration of a vehicle in Switzerland. Credit card format. Contains: type approval (field 24), VIN (field 23), registration number (field 18), weight, power, etc.

Vehicle type

Official designation on the vehicle registration document: passenger car, delivery van, minibus, motorcycle, transport trailer, etc. Determines the rules of use and the required driving licence.

Veteran vehicle

Vehicle over 30 years old, in its original condition or restored accordingly. May benefit from special tax and registration conditions in Switzerland (black plates). Longer inspection intervals.

VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)

Unique identification number of 17 characters according to ISO 3779 standard. Composed of: WMI (manufacturer, pos. 1-3), VDS (characteristics, pos. 4-9) and VIS (serial number, pos. 10-17). Engraved on the chassis, in field 23 of the vehicle registration document.

See also: FIN, Chassis number, WMI, VDS, VIS

VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section)

Characters 10 to 17 of the VIN. Contain the model year (position 10), plant code (position 11) and serial number (positions 12-17). Allow precise identification of each vehicle.

W

Wheelbase

Distance between the front axle and the rear axle, expressed in millimetres (mm). Technical data shown on the type approval certificate, influencing the vehicle's stability, comfort and turning radius.

WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier)

The first 3 characters of the VIN identifying the manufacturer and country of manufacture. Examples: WBA=BMW, WVW=VW, VF1=Renault, ZFA=Fiat, TMB=Škoda, WDB=Mercedes-Benz.

WLTP

Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure. Standardised global test cycle in force since September 2018, replacing the NEDC. More realistic thanks to test conditions closer to real-world driving (higher speed, longer duration, air conditioning included).

Y

Year of manufacture

Year in which the vehicle was manufactured. Not to be confused with the year of first registration, which may differ, particularly for imported vehicles or those that remained in stock.

Swiss Automotive Glossary

A