Sorry if this is a FAQ, but I couldn't find an answer using search.
I've just bought a motorbike, my first vehicle since moving to Switzerland five years ago. Tomorrow I will get it insured and registered (I picked it up in a van), but I don't actually know what the legal requirements are in terms of what must be carried. Being British, I object strongly to the notion of having to carry ID papers (:P) but I am guessing that I need to carry both my own driver's licence (Führerschein, what a great word), and the bike's Fahrzeugausweis. What else? For example, I know cars in France have to carry a reflective tabard and three breathalysers, what are the rules here?
Insurance company is recorded on the Fahrzuegausweiss (Vehicle grey card), which wouldn't be issued without proof of insurance - so no requirement to carry around additional proof of cover.
The residence permit is a must for those of us who tend to wander around and occasionally fall out of Switzerland. As to the insurance card, even if it's not required to carry it, it's very useful for when you're wrapped around a tree or someone else's bumper and would like your insurance to arrange some roadside assistance.
In my little packet of papers, I carry all of the above, plus:
Organ donor card (for obvious reasons)
Permit for my aftermarket exhaust (the police can nail you on the spot for not carrying one)
why isnt it recorded in your Fahrzeugausweis? you dont need the certificate as a seperate item then.
that reasoning works fine in CH but doesnt work in france (or further countries) as my friend found out, he couldnt prove his insurance was still valid so bike doesnt go any further, if he had a papaer/green card etc then it would have been ok
when i ride i always carry the Fahrzeugausweis, driving licence, insurance details/green card and spare bike keys.
Having recently been pulled over for a motorcycle control on Albis, I can confirm that only the driver's license and your motorcycle papers are mandatory (and it's probably a good idea to keep it somewhere more accessible than buried underneath the seat in a triple ziplock bag when you have a complex bag attachment above the seat... sigh).
The rest of the stuff mentioned in this thread doesn't hurt, though.
You don't need insurance papers. They are recorded on the vehicle registration document. I once got stopped in France and had to explain to the police officer who accepted my explanation.
As you live in Buchs (SG) I will cover some cross border motorcycle travel things.
The Swiss license plate itself is enough evidence that you have paid your insurance fee (otherwise the police would come and get the plates from you).
See this map from the TCS where you would need it (dark green area)
There are some stories (in German) where people get stopped in Italy because, they had no green card or invalid green card. So for the ease of mind you may have a valid one with you.
I have all my document in a protective sleeve like this one inside my jacket.
A high visibility vest is not needed, neither in Switzerland nor in its next neighbors France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Lichtenstein. Source German Wikipedia . However, in France you will need one unused alcohol test tube.
Where to stick the Autobahn vignette? In any easily accessible part of your bike which can not be easily removed. On frame bellow seat is o.k. On seat it self is not o.k. ( Art. 3 Abs. 2 NSAV ). The price is CHF 40 for cars and motorcycles alike ( Art.3 and Art. 6 NSAG ).
An Austrian Autobahn vignette has to be mounted on a visible not easily replaceable part of the motorcycle. So bellow the seat, like in Switzerland, is not o.k. One year for motorcycle costs € 31, two months € 11.70, 10 days € 4.60. ( Source )
(CH) - Sticker. Legally still needed as the Swiss license plate is not according to Annex 3 of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic unlike most Europeen Licensplate or the one from Iran . Technically, I do not care and I never had any problem w/o a sticker.
Nicely put. In contrast to France and Germany, there is no obligation carry ID (Ausweis) here; however if you are close to borders, and do find yourself "falling out" as it were, then it would be a good thing to have.
Seeing as mine is a paper EU 'B' permit, I never carry mine around (I'd lose it or it would be destroyed within a month).
Organ donor card, good idea - where did you pick up yours?