Tips for driving in Sweden
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Updated:
19 April 2024
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Advice, Checklist & Legal Requirements
If you are looking to drive in Sweden then you you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid UK driving licence, insurance and vehicle documents.
Trams have priority and it's illegal in towns and urban areas to use your horn except in case of emergencies.
Sweden imposes very high fines for parking violations. Do not park on the left-hand side of the road. If you are going to leave your vehicle parked on the street overnight, make sure you are not parking on a street that is due to be cleaned that night. You will find signs with this information. In some areas you will find a yellow sign with a red line across its bottom, these mean parking is somehow restricted in the vicinity.
Essentials
Driver's checklist:
- · Valid driving licence
- · Proof of identification (passport)
- · Insurance documents (third part or above)
- · Proof of ownership (registration certificate)
If you do not own the vehicle you are driving, you are advised to obtain written permission from the registered owner.
Driver safety
Driving in Sweden is considered safe. In 2012 there were 286 road deaths. This equates to 3.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 population in 2012.
Sweden Driving Laws
Please be aware that under Swedish driving laws it is allowed to overtake on the right depending on the circumstances.
Seat belts are required for all passengers, whether in the front or back seat of the vehicle. No children under the age of seven are allowed to travel in the front seat without the appropiate restraint.
Kit You Need to Carry On Board
It is compulsory in Sweden to carry the following safety equipment within any vehicle with more than 2 wheels:
- · A Warning triangle
- · Headlamp converters
- · Antifreeze windscreen fluid and a shovel
Speed Limits
Please be aware that the speed limit on motorways in only 110km/h and speed limits on all roads may vary deènding on the quality and safety of each road.
Standard speed limits (km/h) unless otherwise stated by traffic signs:
Urban roads (31 mph).
Non-urban roads (43 mph).
Motorways / expressways (68 mph).
Towing
Urban roads (31 mph).
Non-urban roads (43 mph).
Motorways / expressways (50 mph).
In-car radar detectors are illegal whether they are in use or not and on-the-spot fines are issued for the infringement of minor traffic regulations.
Drinking and Driving
Sweden has stricter drink driving laws than many other countries. The legal limit is 0.20 milligrams of alcohol per millimitre of blood, being 0.8 in the UK. We recommend not to drink if you are going to drive.
Motorcycles
On motorcycle, both driver and passenger must wear a helmet.
Headlights
The use of dipped headlights is compulsory at all times.
Driving in Winter
Winter tyres are mandatory from December to March.
General Driving Advice
So to recap here is our checklist for driving in Sweden:
- Ensure you have proper documentation: valid driving licence, ID, driving insurance covering driving in Sweden, proof of ownership (registration certification).
- Take plenty of breaks when driving long distances.
- Ensure all passengers are wearing seat belts and remember children 7 and under are not allowed to travel in the front seat without the appropiate restraint system.
- Ensure your car is equipped with the following safety equipment: A warning triangle and headlamp converters. It is also mandatory to carry antifreeze windscreen fluid and a shovel in order to clear snow if necessary.
- Do not drink and drive.
- Observe local speed limits. In car radar detectors are illegal.
- Dipped headlights are mandatory even in daytime conditions.
Driving to Sweden through another destination? You might like to read our guides to:
Need breakdown cover for Sweden? Eurobreakdown.com can provide you with comprehensive single trip breakdown cover or annual multi trip breakdown policies with a best price guarantee.
Reference: The statistics mentioned on this page were sourced from the Reported Road Casualties Great Britain:2012 Annual Report and, to the best of Eurobreakdown.com’s knowledge, are correct at the time of publication (June 2014).
For general European driving tips click here