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What happens if you forget your driving licence at home in Sweden?

The fine, the exception and when an ID document is enough.

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Short answer

Anyone who drives without the licence on them can be fined SEK 500, but the Act makes an exception when the driver's identity can be established immediately. The Driving Licence Act requires drivers to carry the licence itself, and an ID document only replaces it for two months while a newly issued licence has not been collected.

Driving and traffic rules Illustration of a car on a forest road with a moose warning sign and a car key

Why

  1. According to the Driving Licence Act, a driver must carry the licence and hand it over for inspection when a vehicle inspector or police officer asks for it.
  2. According to the Act, not carrying the licence is punished with penningböter, with exceptions, one of which is that the driver's identity could be established immediately.
  3. According to the Swedish Prosecution Authority's order-fine catalogue, not carrying a licence or an ID document while driving a car costs SEK 500.

Details

An ID document counts instead of the licence only when the licence has been issued but not yet collected and the trip is within two months of the date of issue. A national ID card or passport therefore does not meet the rule in other cases. More on the rules for drivers is in driving and traffic rules in Sweden, and visitors can read documents and insurance for tourists.

Tip

If you realise the card is at home, do not drive until you have it, because the licence has to be handed over for inspection whenever the police or a vehicle inspector ask for it.

What may differ

The same SEK 500 fine applies to riders of class II mopeds, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles who do not carry their förarbevis or an ID document.

Common misconception

A national ID card is enough instead of the driving licence.

What actually happens

The Driving Licence Act accepts an ID document instead of the licence only when a new licence has not yet been collected and the trip is within two months of issue.

People also ask

  • Can I get a fine for not carrying my driving licence in Sweden?
  • Can I drive without my driving licence on me in Sweden?
  • What if I forget my licence at home?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Swedish Prosecution Authority (Åklagarmyndigheten) before you drive.

Driving and traffic rules
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