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What is the penalty for driving without a licence in Sweden?

What the offence is called, what the law says and when prison is possible.

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Short answer

Driving a vehicle that needs a licence without being entitled to is the offence olovlig körning, and the normal penalty is a fine. Prison of up to six months is possible if the driver has had a licence revoked before, acted habitually or the offence is otherwise serious.

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 Act (1951:649) on penalties for certain traffic offences, anyone who intentionally drives a vehicle that needs a licence without being entitled to commits olovlig körning and is fined.
  2. According to the same Act, prison for up to six months may be imposed if the driver previously held a revoked licence, acted habitually or the offence is otherwise serious.
  3. According to the Swedish Prosecution Authority, the penalty is usually day-fines, and Transportstyrelsen can also revoke the licence if the driver has one.

Details

The same Act also punishes anyone who lets a person drive who is not entitled to, and it applies to tractors, class II mopeds, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles as well. The police can ask for your licence on a stop, and your rights in that situation are covered in whether you have to answer police questions in Sweden. For the rules on the road, see driving and traffic rules in Sweden.

Tip

Check that your licence covers the vehicle category before you drive, and that a foreign licence is still valid in Sweden, see foreign driving licences in Sweden.

What may differ

The offence is not limited to cars: the Act applies the same rules to drivers of tractors, class II mopeds, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, motor work machines and trams.

Common misconception

Olovlig körning only means driving with no licence at all.

What actually happens

The Swedish Prosecution Authority says olovlig körning can also mean driving with the wrong licence category.

People also ask

  • What happens if you drive without a licence in Sweden?
  • Is it illegal to drive without a licence in Sweden?
  • What if I get stopped without a driving licence?

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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