Driving, car rental and congestion charges
Licences, car rental, Swedish road rules, winter driving, wildlife on the roads, how congestion and infrastructure charges are paid, and where to fuel or charge.
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What is the penalty for driving without a licence in Sweden?
Driving a vehicle that needs a licence without being entitled to is the offence olovlig körning, and the normal penalty is a fine.
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Can you show your driving licence on your phone in Sweden?
No, Sweden has not introduced digital driving licences yet, and Transportstyrelsen says it is still unclear when they will arrive.
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Is diesel or petrol better for a car in Sweden?
Neither fuel is better by default: St1 listed diesel at about SEK 24 per litre and petrol 95 at about SEK 18 on 28 October 2026.
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How much does it cost to own a car in Sweden per month?
The monthly cost of owning a car in Sweden depends on the car and how far you drive, and Konsumentverket's household cost calculations for 2026 do not include transport.
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How much does a car service cost in Sweden?
Bilia lists its Bilia Service for cars that are six years or older at SEK 3,995, and an interval surcharge may be added.
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Do you need an eye test to get a driving licence in Sweden?
Yes, anyone applying for a car licence has to send in a basic vision certificate with the körkortstillstånd application, and a licensed optician or doctor issues it.
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How do you check if a car has debts before buying it in Sweden?
Ask the seller to show you the car's debts in Transportstyrelsen's service Fordonets skulder, because unpaid vehicle debts can follow the car to a new owner.
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Are studless winter tyres good enough in Sweden?
Yes, studless winter tyres meet the Swedish winter tyre rule if they carry the alpine mountain and snowflake symbol, although studded tyres grip better on ice.
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Which apps can you use to practise for the Swedish driving theory test?
Apps such as Ta Körkort, iKörkort and Mitt Körkort offer practice questions for the Swedish theory test, and their prices differ widely.
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How much does a car inspection (besiktning) cost in Sweden?
A car inspection (kontrollbesiktning) has no single price in Sweden, because Bilprovningen, Besikta and Carspect all say it varies by station, day and time of day.