Can you drive in Sweden with a US driving licence?
How long a US licence works in Sweden and what happens after a year of residence.
Short answer
Yes, a US licence is valid in Sweden while it is valid in the United States and you have not been registered as a resident here for over a year. A licence issued in English needs no translation, and a foreign licence gives no right to drive a car before the age of 18.
Why
- According to Transportstyrelsen, a licence from a country outside the EEA is valid in Sweden if it is valid where it was issued and has not been exchanged for a Swedish one.
- According to the Driving Licence Act, a third-country licence is not valid if the holder has been registered as a resident in Sweden for more than one year.
- According to the Act, a licence not in the convention format that is not issued in English, German or French needs a certified translation or an international licence.
Details
Transportstyrelsen says licences from outside the EEA cannot be exchanged for a Swedish licence, apart from licences from the United Kingdom, the Faroe Islands, Switzerland and Japan, so after a year in the population register a US licence no longer counts. See foreign driving licences in Sweden for the overview, and whether Americans need a visa to visit Sweden for entry rules.
Tip
Check that your licence has a photo: Transportstyrelsen says a licence without a photo is valid only together with a photo ID.
What may differ
Licences from the UK and the Faroe Islands can be used even after more than a year of registration, and a licence from another EEA country stays valid even if you are registered in Sweden.
Common misconception
A US licence stays valid for as long as you live in Sweden.
What actually happens
Transportstyrelsen says a licence from outside the EEA stops being valid in Sweden one year after you were registered as a resident, with exceptions for the UK and the Faroe Islands.
People also ask
- Can I drive in Sweden with a US driving licence?
- Can tourists drive in Sweden with a foreign licence?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Transportstyrelsen before you travel.
Foreign licences in SwedenRelated questions
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How often does a car need inspection in Sweden?
A passenger car is inspected first within 36 months of the month it was put into traffic.
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Can you take a Swedish rental car to Denmark or Norway?
Sixt says its rental cars may be taken from Sweden to Denmark, Finland and Norway, while Hertz and Avis require written permission before you drive outside Sweden.
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Do you need a credit card to rent a car in Sweden?
Hertz accepts debit cards, but a renter paying with one must also show a credit card at pickup, so a credit card is the safe choice.
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You find EV chargers in Stockholm with apps and maps such as ChargeFinder and PlugShare, or in an operator's app such as Vattenfall InCharge.