Step 1: Check if Your Licence Can Be Used in Sweden

Before applying for a Swedish licence, find out if your current driving licence is valid here.

If you have an EU/EEA licence – You can use it in Sweden as long as it’s valid. You don’t need to exchange it.
If you have a non-EU licence – You can drive with it in Sweden for up to 12 months after moving here. After that, you’ll need to apply for a Swedish licence.

📖 Read more on the official Swedish Transport Agency site.

Step 2: Apply for a Driving Licence Permit (Körkortstillstånd)

If you don’t already have a valid licence that works in Sweden, your journey starts with a driving licence permit. This is essentially permission to begin training.

The application includes:

A health declaration.
An eyesight test.
A small application fee.

👉 Apply directly via Transportstyrelsen.

Step 3: Choose a Driving School or Start with Private Lessons

As a student, you may not have family here to help with private driving lessons, so many international learners choose to go through a driving school (trafikskola).

Benefits of a school:

Instructors explain everything in Swedish and English.
Structured lessons to help you adapt to Swedish road rules.
Access to certified tracks for Risk 2 training (mandatory).

Tip: Compare schools in your city, as prices can vary.

Step 4: Complete the Mandatory Risk Education

Before you can book your tests, you need to complete Riskutbildning (Risk 1 and Risk 2):

Risk 1 – Theory about alcohol, drugs, fatigue, and distractions.
Risk 2 (Halkbana) – Practical training on slippery roads.

We’ve covered both in detail here:

Risk 1 Guide
Risk 2 Guide

Step 5: Book the Tests with Trafikverket

Once you’re ready, you’ll need to pass two exams:

Theory Test (Kunskapsprov) – 70 multiple-choice questions, available in English.
Driving Test (Körprov) – A practical exam with a Trafikverket examiner.

Both are booked via Trafikverket.

Quick Tips for Foreign Students

Language support – Many schools offer English training. Trafikverket also provides interpreters for tests if needed.
Budgeting – Costs can add up (lessons, tests, risk training). On average, expect 15,000–25,000 SEK depending on how many lessons you need.
Start early – Book Risk training and exams in advance—slots fill quickly, especially in bigger cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö.

Final Thoughts

Getting a Swedish driving licence as a foreign student may seem like a big task, but by starting with the right first steps—checking licence validity and applying for a driving licence permit—you’ll already be on the right track.

From there, structured training, Risk education, and preparing for your exams will bring you closer to your goal of driving with confidence in Sweden.

✅ Pro Tip: Even if you can legally drive in Sweden with your foreign licence for the first year, starting the process early will save you stress later.

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Getting a Driving Licence in Sweden as a Foreign Student: Where to Start