Getting your driving licence

1. Learner's permit

First you apply for a learner's permit (körkortstillstånd) from the Swedish Transport Agency. You must be suitable with regard to personal and medical circumstances, for example have good enough eyesight. The permit is valid for a certain time.

Source: Körkortslagen 3 kap. 2 § · Legal text (Swedish): Driving Licence Act (1998:488) (opens in a new tab)

2. Practice driving

• You may practise driving a car from the age of 16, and with a trailer from 17 years and 6 months.
• For private practice you need an approved supervisor who is at least 24 and has had a driving licence for at least five of the last ten years. The approval is valid for five years.
• The supervisor sits next to you and counts as the driver. It must be visible that the car is used for practice driving, and you must carry ID.

Source: Körkortslagen 4 kap. 2, 7 och 8 §§ och körkortsförordningen 4 kap. 5–7 §§ · Legal text (Swedish): Driving Licence Act (1998:488) (opens in a new tab) · Legal text (Swedish): Driving Licence Ordinance (1998:980) (opens in a new tab)

3. Risk education

Before you may take the driving test you must have completed the risk education course, which is about risky driving, for example on slippery roads and with alcohol.

Source: Körkortslagen 3 kap. 4 b § · Legal text (Swedish): Driving Licence Act (1998:488) (opens in a new tab)

4. Driving test

The driving test consists of a theory test and a practical driving test. You can get a B licence from the age of 18.

Source: Körkortslagen 3 kap. 1 och 4 §§ · Legal text (Swedish): Driving Licence Act (1998:488) (opens in a new tab)

5. Probation period

For the first two years after the test you are on probation. If your licence is revoked during the probation period, you usually have to retake the driving test. The licence must be renewed within ten years.

Source: Körkortslagen 3 kap. 14 och 18 §§ och 5 kap. 15 § · Legal text (Swedish): Driving Licence Act (1998:488) (opens in a new tab)