- Non-EU licences: valid 1 year after registering as a resident
- EU/EEA licences: valid long-term if still valid in issuing country
- United Kingdom licences: valid long-term but must be exchanged to supervise learner drivers
- Some licences can be exchanged without full testing (Japan, Switzerland)
- The 1-year countdown starts when you register as a resident (folkbokföring)
- You may need an International Driving Permit if your licence isn’t in English or Swedish
- Driving after your licence becomes invalid is a criminal offence
Congratulations on moving to Sweden — now please decode 47 different parking signs.
Here’s what you need to know before getting behind the wheel in Sweden with a foreign licence.
Most internationals can legally drive in Sweden for a limited time of 1 year before needing a Swedish licence.
the 1-year countdown
The 1-year period begins when you register as a resident (folkbokföring) — not when you first enter Sweden.
This is a very common misunderstanding.
non-EU/EEA licences
You can drive using your foreign licence for up to 1 year after becoming a registered resident.
After this, you must:
- complete Swedish theory and driving tests
- obtain a Swedish driving licence
Driving after the 1-year limit counts as driving without a valid licence, which is a criminal offence.
EU/EEA licences
EU and EEA licences remain valid in Sweden as long as they are valid in the issuing country.
UK licences
UK licences are generally valid long-term in Sweden.
However, you must exchange it for a Swedish licence if you want to:
- supervise a learner driver (for example, teaching your child to drive)
to exchange your UK licence
You can exchange a UK driver's licence taking a driver's licence test.
Contact the DVLA (UK) and request the required digital form, then send the following documents to Transportstyrelsen via post:
- The requested DVLA form
- A signed medical declaration (you complete this yourself, no need to see a doctor)
- An eye-test (Specsavers for example, c. SEK 300)
- Your valid UK licence card (you will not see this again)
After some weeks you will be asked to go to your local transport office to have your photo taken (c. SEK 260) and provide a signature for your new card.
Licence exchanges can take several months.
other countries with licence exchange agreements
Residents from the following very small list of countries can also exchange their licence without full testing:
- Japan
- Switzerland
Unlike UK licence holders, Japan and Swiss licence holders must submit the application to exchange a licence within 1 year of becoming registered in Sweden to continue driving without interruption.
All licence matters are handled by Transportstyrelsen.
- UK licences: You can continue driving in Sweden after you've been registered as a resident for more than 1 year. You can also exchange your licence after the 1-year mark without taking a full driving test, but you do need to exchange it to supervise (be a handledare for) a learner driver
- Japan and Switzerland: You must submit your application to exchange your licence within 1 year of becoming registered in Sweden if you want to continue driving without interruption. After 1 year, your foreign licence is no longer valid for driving here, even though it may still be exchangeable in certain circumstances
- If you hold a valid driving licence from an EU/EEA country, you do not need to exchange it to supervise (be a handledare for) a learner driver. As long as you meet the other requirements (minimum age, sufficient driving experience, etc.), your EU/EEA licence is accepted. If your licence is from another EEA country, you simply provide a copy of it when applying to become an approved supervisor
- If your licence is in English, German or French, you do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified translation
- If your licence is not in one of those languages and is not issued in a format that complies with the international road traffic conventions, you'll need either:
- a certified translation, or
- an International Driving Permit (IDP)
- The residency registration date (folkbokföring) is what starts the 1-year countdown — not your arrival date
- Driving without a valid licence can lead to fines, criminal charges and insurance problems
- Licence exchanges can take weeks, so plan early
- All licence matters are handled by Transportstyrelsen (the Swedish Transport Agency)
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
- Start researching licence exchange or testing soon after registering as a resident
- If your licence is not in English or Swedish, arrange an International Driving Permit early
- Book theory and driving tests well in advance — waiting times can be long
- If you plan to teach someone to drive, exchange your foreign licence early
- Keep proof of residency registration date in case you need to show when your 1-year period started
when does the 1-year rule start?
From the date you register as a resident (folkbokföring), not when you enter Sweden.
can i keep driving if my licence expires in my home country?
No. EU/EEA licences must remain valid in the issuing country.
do i always need an international driving permit?
Only if your licence is not in English or Swedish.
can i exchange my licence instead of taking tests?
Only certain countries currently have exchange agreements (for example UK, Japan and Switzerland).
what happens if i keep driving after the 1-year limit?
It becomes driving without a valid licence, which is a criminal offence and may affect insurance and immigration matters.