I recently received a Swiss speeding ticket for an infraction 130 in a 120 zone, apparently a radar trap unbeknownst to me. The ticket is in French, and it states (in English) that I should take the ticket to a bank for instructions. Presuming I am guilty of speeding, I am not disposed to go to any great lengths to pay the fine (60 Swiss). Can I just write a check of the appropriate dollar amount and sent it to the address on the ticket? As I anticipate additional travel in that most expensive of European countries, I would like to do so with a clean record.
Posted by
California USA
3963 posts
No you cannot write a check in USD and mail it to Switzerland. If the form says to take it to a bank and transfer funds that is what you should do. There should be routing numbers that most banks are familiar with to get the funds sent. You will probably have to pay a transfer fee but that will get the job accomplished for you in short order.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8166 posts
If you check, your rental car outfit may have charged your credit card for $45 for their time telling the Swiss police who had their automobile at a specific time. It happens all the time.
They'll want paid in Euros--wire transferred to their checking account.
There are online bill payment companies in Europe that can pay the bill for you--charging your credit card in U.S. Dollars if that's your home currency. Their service charges are far less than $29 or so your home bank will charge for a wire transfer out.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16379 posts
I believe the Swiss will want to paid in Swiss francs, not euros.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32219 posts
john,
I suspect that the instructions to "take the ticket to a bank" referred to a Bank in Switzerland. It's possible that Banks in this part of the world may not know how to deal with it.
Sending a cheque in US dollars is probably not the best idea, as they'll want payment in Swiss Francs. Were there any details on the ticket regarding online payments?
This is one reason why I prefer to use trains as much as possible.
Posted by
Montreux, Switzerland
262 posts
Switzerland has no checking system and would not accept one. When we pay our bills, including a speeding ticket, we must pay electronically from our bank or with cash. Your ticket amount is due in Swiss Francs. When you take the bill to your bank, they will make the transfer so the net amount for the ticket is the amount you owe. The amount you end up paying is the amount your bank values the currency on the day the transfer takes place. You will likely pay a bank transfer fee as well.