Getting started

Before you can start practising driving, you must apply for and receive a learner's permit (körkortstillstånd). The learner's permit is issued by Transportstyrelsen and is valid for five years.

You must be 16 years old to practice driving with a private car. If you are going to practice driving a car with a coupled trailer or with a light truck, you must be at least 17 years and 6 months old.

You must have turned 16 and have a valid learner's permit to practice driving a private car

If you are going to practice driving privately, you must first complete an introductory course (introduktionsutbildning) and have an approved instructor. If your instructor, that is, the person you are going to practice with, has not already completed the introductory course in the last five years, he or she must also do so.

An instructor must be at least 24 years old and must hold a valid driver's licence for the same type of vehicle that you are going to practise driving. For example, if you are going to practise driving a car, the instructor must hold a B class licence. A person who only has a B class licence therefore cannot be an instructor for someone who is going to practise driving, for example, a motorcycle or a heavy truck.

The supervisor must meet Transportstyrelsen's requirements in order to be approved. Among other things, this requires sufficient driving experience and that the driving licence has not been revoked to any significant extent in recent years.

All private practice driving must be done with an approved instructor

To obtain a B class driver's licence, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You have a valid learner's permit.
2. You are a permanent resident of Sweden, or have studied here for at least six months.
3. You are at least 18 years old.
4. You have taken the risk course and both parts are valid.
5. You have passed the driving tests (theory and practical).
6. You do not have a driver's licence from another EEA country. If you already have one, it can be exchanged for a Swedish licence.

B class driver's licence

When you obtain a category B driving licence, you normally begin a two-year probationary period. This also applies if you have previously held an AM licence.

The probationary period does not mean that you are penalised more harshly or more leniently if you commit a traffic offence. However, it becomes important if your driver's licence is revoked.

If your driver's licence is revoked during the probationary period, you must normally retake the entire driving test and pass both the theory test and the practical test before a new licence can be issued.

All new drivers in Sweden have a two-year probationary period

You must renew your B class driver's licence every ten years. This is only an administrative renewal, so you do not need to retake either the theory test or the driving test. When it is time to renew your licence, Transportstyrelsen automatically sends an application form to your registered address.

You should always have your licence with you when driving. If you do not, you may be fined even if your licence is valid. If you are going to drive abroad, you must also bring Part 1 (the blue part) of both the car and any trailer's registration certificate.

The B class licence gives you the right to drive:

• Private cars (with light trailer)*
• Light trucks (with light trailer)**
• Mopeds class 1 and 2
• Tractors class A and B
• Motorised equipment class 1 and 2
• Off-road motor vehicles
• Three and four-wheeled motorcycles***

* A private car is a vehicle with a maximum of nine seats (one seat for the driver and eight for passengers) and a total weight of no more than 3,500 kg.

** A light truck (sometimes called light goods vehicle or light lorry) is a truck with a total weight of no more than 3,500 kg, which is primarily intended for freight transport and cannot be considered a private car or bus.

*** To drive a three-wheeled motorcycle over 15 kW, you must be at least 21 years old.

If you have a licence limited to automatic transmissions you may not drive cars with a manual transmission. If you have a standard B class driver's licence, you may drive cars with either manual or automatic transmissions.

Some people choose to get a driver's licence limited to automatic transmissions. Remember that such a licence does not entitle you to drive cars with manual transmissions

Revoked driver's licence

If you drive too fast or commit another traffic offence, you risk both receiving a fine and having your driving licence revoked.

In some cases, you must also apply for a new driving permit. This applies, for example, if your licence has been revoked because of drunk driving, aggravated reckless driving, untrustworthiness in sobriety, or another serious offence other than a traffic offence.

During the disqualification period, that is, the period when the licence is revoked, you are not allowed to drive any vehicle that requires a driver's licence.

If your licence is revoked for less than 12 months, you can apply for a new licence about one month before the disqualification period ends. If your licence is revoked for more than 12 months, you must pass a new driving test, meaning both the theory test and the practical test, before a new licence can be issued.

If your licence is revoked during the probationary period, you must also pass a new driving test.

If Transportstyrelsen revokes your driver's licence for longer than 12 months, or during your probation period, you lose your driver's licence

Traffic offences that can lead to a revoked driver's licence

• Ignoring a stop sign.
• Driving through a red light.
• Overtaking at a pedestrian crossing.
• Driving dangerously or recklessly.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Driving more than 30 km/h above the speed limit*.
• Leaving the scene of an accident you have been involved in.
• Repeated traffic offences.

* On roads where the speed limit is 30 km/h, there is a high risk that your driving licence will be revoked if you drive more than 20 km/h above the limit.

It is not only traffic offences that can cause you to lose your driving licence. Other serious offences, such as aggravated assault and drug-related offences, can also result in your driving licence being revoked.

Fines

Not all traffic offences lead to a revoked driver's licence. Many instead result in a fine. However, it is important to understand that even minor offences can have consequences, especially if they are repeated.

Examples of traffic offences that can lead to fines:

• Not wearing a seat belt.
• Not indicating when turning.
• Crossing a solid line.
• Driving in the wrong lane.
• Driving without lights in darkness or poor visibility.
• Driving with an unreadable registration plate.
• Driving an untaxed vehicle.
• Driving with insufficient tyre tread depth.

Even less serious offences can lead to a revoked driving licence, especially if they are repeated.

Speeding can lead to both heavy fines and a revoked driver's licence