Advertisement

Sweden to let Brits swap their driving licence for a Swedish one

The Local Sweden
The Local Sweden - [email protected]
Sweden to let Brits swap their driving licence for a Swedish one
Sweden's driving tests are among the toughest in the world. Photo: Erik Simander/TT

British people resident in Sweden will be able to exchange their UK driving licences for an equivalent Swedish one, without needing to take a test, just as they could when the country was a member of the European Union, the country's infrastructure ministry has decided.

Advertisement

Sweden last November ruled that British people would continue to be able to use their British licences in Sweden after the transition period ended on December 31st, regardless of whether they are resident in Sweden.

It has now gone further, easing the way for Brits to get a Swedish licence.

"Sweden and the United Kingdom have a close collaboration that we will continue to develop. Therefore, we are now moving forward with further simplifications of the rules for changing driving licences for the approximately 15,000 Britons who are registered in Sweden," Sweden's infrastructure minister Tomas Eneroth said in a press release.

Today, only driving licences that have been issued within the EEA, in Switzerland or in Japan can be exchanged for Swedish driving licences.

Advertisement

As the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the EU, driving licences from the United Kingdom could therefore not previously be exchanged for Swedish driving licences.

Sweden's transport agency in 2019 advised British residents to exchange their UK license for a Swedish one so that they would have a Swedish licence before the end of the transition.

The change will enter into force on July 1st.

The November ruling allowing Brits to continue using their driving licences still stands, although as UK licenses are linked to your UK address, if you plan on staying in Sweden in the long term, it makes sense to take advantage of your new right to swap. 

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also