Licence suspension in Geneva and Lausanne: the e-bike as your alternative

Licence suspended: your daily life doesn't have to stop

In 2025, Switzerland recorded 85,782 driving licence suspensions, according to the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Speeding accounts for more than a third of cases (30,835), followed by drink-driving (11,833). Whether you're in Geneva or Lausanne, a suspension of one, three, or twelve months quickly raises the same question: how do you get to work, drop the kids off, or run errands without a car? An e-bike is often the simplest answer — and in the city, sometimes even faster than driving.

What the law says

A licence suspension covers all standard categories, but doesn't automatically extend to special category M (mopeds). This is set out in Article 33 of the Ordinance on the Admission of Persons and Vehicles to Road Traffic (OAC):

• All standard categories fall together. Suspending one category (for example B, the car) automatically suspends all others, as well as special category F. • Category M is only suspended if the authority decides so. The vehicle licensing office can extend the suspension to special categories G and M — but this isn't automatic. It will be explicitly stated in the decision, or it won't. • Medical suspensions: different rules apply. These principles don't apply to a safety-based suspension for medical reasons. In practice: read your suspension notice carefully. If category M isn't mentioned, it generally remains valid.

The 25 km/h e-bike: no licence needed for adults

From age 16, a