The Newbie Guide to Sweden

We explain Sweden

How to get a Swedish driving license

How to get a driving license in Sweden? You’d probably be surprised to now just how many newbies search for that particular information. But to be honest, it’s now wonder – because it is a journey. So let’s look at the steps to get you to a Swedish driving license with the least amount of hassle. 

This article is advertised by Trafiko, an education company focused on driving license theory in multiple languages: English, Swedish, Persian and Arabic.

Steps to get a Swedish driving license

  1. apply for a learning permit
  2. start your driving practice
  3. study the theory of driving
  4. take the risk training – riskutbildning
  5. book a time for a driving test.

1. Learners permit – körkortstillstånd

The process of getting a Swedish driving license starts by applying for a learners permit – (körkortstillstånd). The process is as follows:

  • fill out the application form to apply for a learners permit and the health & eye sight declaration, called  “Ansökan körkortstillstånd + hälso & synintyg“  and submit it to the Swedish Transport Agency – Transportstyrelsen. (The information is in Swedish).
  • get an eyesight certificate (synintyg) and submit it to your application. You can perform the eye test and get the certificate at your local optician or at most driving schools.
  • sign the health declaration which comes in the application form, which confirm that you have no illnesses that might influence your driving ability.
  • There is no cost for the application, however, there is a cost for the vision test and this depends on the chosen optician but that is usually  around 150 SEK. The vision test should be done around the same time as you apply for your körkortstillstånd as the vision test certificate can not be older than two months when you apply.

Your körkortstillstånd is valid for five years.

Note: the processing time can be two months or in some cases more.

2. Driving practice – övningsköra

Once you have your körkortstillstånd – you are ready to start practicing! You can pay for lessons at a driving school or practice for free with a friend, parent or partner – a so called handledare. Both approaches have pros and cons. A handledare is cheaper but there is a risk that you will learn the bad habits of your handledare. It is therefore recommended to combine the two in order to get a lot of practice AND properly learn the latest rules.

A handledare is not – as it might sound – a private teacher. Most people who have a driving license can become a handledare and many beginners practice with their parents, partner or friends as handledare. The requirements for being a handledare are:

  • to be at least 24 years old
  • to have had a driving license for at least five years

You become a handledare by applying for a tutors permission, a so called handledarbevis. It costs 170 SEK and you find the application form “Ansökan handledarskap privat övningskörning“  here.

You and your handledare will also have to partake in an introduction course – introduktionsutbildning. Most driving schools offer this course and it generally costs about 300 – 400 SEK/person. You will not need a special car (with dual commands) to practice with your handledare.

Note: When driving with a handledare, it is the handledare who considered  the driver of the vehicle and is therefore responsible in case of an accident.

3. The theory of driving

Please note: the rules changed on the 1st of March 2020. It will be required to pass the written test before taking the driving test. The written test will be valid for four months instead of two.

It is recommended to learn the theory parallel to your driving practice. The most common theoretical reading material is the Driving Licence book combined with  theory questions online. You can, if you choose, rely on only one of these, but it is recommended that you use a combination of both. You can also listen to the Driving Licence book as audio book if you prefer.

The book gives you a good overview of all  driving theory and the online questions tests your knowledge in real time.

The online mock tests  are set up just as the real test (same grading, time limit etc) which gives you a good idea of what to expect at the real theory test.

However, you should aim to  learn the facts behind the questions and not only memorize the answers. Why? Because the questions on the real test will not be phrased the same as the test questions. You can try the mock theory test for free at trafiko.se.

With each question you get the correlating book page number. This way you can easily find more information about the online question in your book.

Note: If you get an English textbook, for example from a local driving school, the page numbers and the online questions won’t match up. The text book sold at traffic schools are also not updated as often so if you buy one of these, just make sure that it is the latest edition.

There are also many other learning websites out there and some are translated to English. Just do a Google search for “driving theory online Sweden”. But remember – When using online tools make sure it’s a recent edition as regulations often change.

The driving license book – Körkortsboken på engelska

You usually find copies of older textbooks at the library. However, if you use an old textbook you should be aware of the risk that it is not updated with the latest theory rules, which change regularly over time.

The latest and most updated textbooks are found online and we recommend that you visit Trafiko’s website as they have updated textbooks in a lot of languages.

You find versions of this book in various languages on Trafiko’s website:

4. Risk Training – Riskutbildning

You need to do a risk training – a so-called riskutbildning before you can book your final test. This training is compulsory and consists of two parts. The first part is theoretical and will teach you about the risks with alcohol, drugs and tiredness while driving.

The second part focuses on speed and security issues. The main aspect of this section is skid training – the so-called halkbana where they will test your driving abilities in extreme conditions such as icy roads. Once done, you will receive a certificate which is valid for 4 years. The price for the course varies, but costs usually around 2800 SEK (for both parts).

Good news – there are schools that provide that kind of training in English!

5. Test time

The practical and theoretical parts are considered one test called förarprov. You can take both tests in one day or have some time between the tests.

If you have passed one of the tests (the theoretical for instance) you have to pass the other test (the practical) within two months. If you do not pass both tests within two months,  you will have to retake both tests.

You book your tests at the Swedish Transport Administration Agency – Trafikverket. If you have joined a driving school they will help you book your test.

On the first exam, you have to take photographs on the spot. It costs 80 kronor.

The theoretical test – Kunskapsprov

Finally, the moment of truth! You start with the theoretical test – kunskapsprov and continue with the practical test – förarprov. You take the second test regardless of how the first part turned out.

The theoretical test consists of 70 questions and you need to get at least 52 of them right in order to pass. The good news are that you don’t have to take the test in Swedish! You can write it in Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Croatian, English, Finnish, French, Persian, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Sorani, Spanish, Thai and Turkish.

The driving test – Körprov

The driving test is about 25 minutes. You will be judged on overall impression but the examiners will look especially for:

  • your vehicle control
  • your actions and reactions in different traffic situations
  • how you apply different traffic rules
  • if you apply “eco-driving” (environmentally friendly driving).

On the test day you need a dual control car. You can either rent one from Trafikverket where you take the test or borrow one from your driving school. It isn’t possible to take the practical part of the test in any other language than Swedish, but if you ask nicely, you might get the examiner to give his or her instructions in English. If needed, you are allowed to bring an interpreter with you during the practical test.

Well, that’s it. BEST OF LUCK and don’t forget to bring your ID!

Did you pass your driving license?

They will inform you immediately if you passed the tests. If you pass both tests you can drive – you just need your ID. You will receive your real driving license five days later with the post.

Did you fail?

Don’t worry. 1 out of 2 fail the driving test, so relax! Yet, you should hurry to book a retest – a so-called omtest. This should be done within three days. You need to successfully pass both tests within two months, or you will have to pay all fees and retake all tests again.