Federal Council adapts ARV 1: More safety in road transport
The Federal Council has decided to amend the working and rest time regulations (ARV 1). As a result, full-time delivery drivers in the cross-border commercial transportation of goods are now subject to ARV 1.
This amendment to ARV 1 is in line with EU regulations and fulfills a parliamentary proposal. Nothing will change for transportation within Switzerland. The changes will enter into force on July 1, 2026.
From then on, the same working, driving and rest time regulations will apply in the EU for full-time drivers of vans transporting goods in cross-border traffic as for truck drivers. In view of road safety and the importance of international road traffic, the Federal Council has also adopted these regulations, which are binding in the EU, for cross-border traffic in Switzerland. The Ordinance on Working and Rest Periods for Professional Motor Vehicle Drivers (Chauffeur Ordinance, ARV 1) has therefore been amended.
With this revision, the Federal Council is also implementing the motion 20.4478 Dittli "Gleich lange Spiesse bei Arbeits- und Ruhezeitbestimmungen" ("A level playing field for working and rest time regulations"), which was passed by Parliament.
This new regulation affects around 1,200 delivery vans and a maximum of 3,200 drivers in Switzerland. The affected delivery vans must be equipped with an intelligent tachograph. Delivery vans are not conspicuous in Swiss road accident statistics, so there is no need for action in domestic traffic for reasons of road safety.
Source: astra.admin.ch
