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What happens if you renew your driving licence too late in Sweden?

What invalid means, how to get the licence back and what renewal costs.

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Short answer

If you do not renew, the licence becomes invalid and you may no longer drive any vehicle that needs a licence, according to Transportstyrelsen. To get it back you apply for and are granted a körkortstillstånd, and the Act allows a new licence to be issued without new tests.

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Why

  1. According to Transportstyrelsen, a licence is valid for a limited time and must be renewed before the validity ends, and lower categories such as B are valid for ten years.
  2. According to Transportstyrelsen, an unrenewed licence becomes invalid, and to get it back you must apply for and be granted a körkortstillstånd.
  3. According to the Driving Licence Act, a licence is invalid if it has not been renewed after an order to renew, and a new licence may then be issued without a driving test once a permit has been granted.

Details

Transportstyrelsen sends the renewal form to your registered address about two to three months before expiry, and renewal needs a new photo, a signature and SEK 375. If you do not send the form in, Transportstyrelsen may order you to renew, so renew in good time, and see driving and traffic rules in Sweden for the rules for drivers.

Tip

Make sure your address in the population register is correct, because the renewal form is sent there about two to three months before the licence expires.

What may differ

Higher categories are valid for five years from the latest medical assessment, not ten years.

Common misconception

If your licence lapses, you have to take the theory and driving tests again.

What actually happens

According to the Driving Licence Act, a new licence may be issued without a driving test if you have been granted a körkortstillstånd after the licence became invalid.

People also ask

  • What happens if my driving licence expires in Sweden?
  • Can I renew my Swedish driving licence after it expires?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Transportstyrelsen before you renew.

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