Can you pass the car inspection with winter tyres in summer?
What the inspection checks on tyres, and what applies to studded tyres in summer.
Short answer
Yes, Bilprovningen says you can have a car inspected with summer tyres in winter and winter tyres in summer, because it checks the same tread depth whatever the season. At a control inspection the tyres must have a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm.
Why
- Bilprovningen answers yes to whether a car can be inspected with summer tyres in winter and the reverse, and says it checks for a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm regardless of season.
- Bilprovningen says the law requires a tread depth of at least 3 mm on winter tyres and 1.6 mm on summer tyres.
- Transportstyrelsen says there is a ban on using studded tyres between 16 April and 30 September, unless winter road conditions exist or are expected.
Details
Carspect gives the same tread depths: by law winter tyres must have at least 3 mm and summer tyres 1.6 mm, and the requirements apply to passenger cars, light lorries and buses up to 3.5 tonnes. The pages checked do not say anything specific about studded tyres at an inspection, so ask the inspection company if your car is on studded tyres. For the national tyre rules, see winter tyres and studs in Sweden, and for other road rules see driving and traffic rules in Sweden.
Tip
Studded tyres may not be used between 16 April and 30 September unless winter road conditions exist or are expected, so ask the inspection company about studded tyres when you book.
What may differ
For motorcycles the minimum tread depth is 1 mm, according to Bilprovningen and Carspect.
Common misconception
Winter tyres fail the car inspection in summer.
What actually happens
Bilprovningen says that at a control inspection it checks for a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm regardless of season, and answers yes to inspecting with winter tyres in summer and the reverse.
People also ask
- Can I get my car inspected on winter tyres in summer?
- Do winter tyres pass besiktning in summer?
Sources
- Bilprovningen: Inspection with summer or winter tyresChecked at:
- Bilprovningen: Tread depthChecked at:
- Carspect: Tread depthChecked at:
- Transportstyrelsen: Studded tyres off by 16 AprilChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Bilprovningen and Transportstyrelsen before you book an inspection.
Winter tyres and studsRelated 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.