The vehicle: inspection, insurance and tax
As a car owner you are responsible for making sure the car is roadworthy, inspected, insured and taxed.
Inspection
- A new car is inspected for the first time within three years, then within two years and after that within 14 months.
- If you miss the inspection, the car gets a driving ban. You may then drive it by the shortest route to an inspection or a workshop.
- If the car is so defective that it is obviously dangerous, it gets a driving ban immediately at the inspection.
Source: Fordonsförordningen (2009:211) 6 kap. 5, 15, 16 och 21 §§ · Legal text (Swedish): Vehicle Ordinance (2009:211) (opens in a new tab)
Traffic insurance
A registered car that is not deregistered for use must have traffic insurance. It covers personal injury to the driver, passengers and others, and damage to other people's property – but not damage to your own car.
Source: Trafikskadelagen (1975:1410) 2, 10 och 11 §§ · Legal text (Swedish): Traffic Damage Act (1975:1410) (opens in a new tab)
Registration and change of owner
The car must be registered and have number plates front and rear that are easy to read. When the car is sold, both seller and buyer must report the change of owner to the Swedish Transport Agency.
Source: Förordningen (2019:383) om fordons registrering och användning 3 kap. 6 och 7 §§ och 5 kap. 1 § · Legal text (Swedish): Ordinance (2019:383) on Vehicle Registration and Use (opens in a new tab)
Vehicle tax
If the vehicle tax is not paid on time, the car may not be used until the tax has been paid.
Source: Vägtrafikskattelagen (2006:227) 6 kap. 1 § · Legal text (Swedish): Road Traffic Tax Act (2006:227) (opens in a new tab)