If you have a driving licence issued by an EEA state (i.e most of Europe), this is valid for an indefinite period in Sweden – providing that it is still valid in the country in which it was issued. You can choose to exchange it for a Swedish licence without a test if you have permanent residency in Sweden.  If you do choose to exchange it, you will revoke rights to use your other licence in Sweden. So you can’t get a Swedish licence and then if you lose that for whatever reason (speeding, drink driving and so on) continue to drive on your other licence. You can also teach others to drive on your licence if you are over 24, have had your licence for more than five years and it will be valid for at least another five years.

If you come from elsewhere in the world, your driving licence should be valid in Sweden only for your first year of residency. You need to fulfil the same requirements as above – it must be valid in the country of issue and a Swedish licence supersedes any original licence. If it is not written in German, French or English, you must also carry a certified translation into one of these languages or Swedish, Danish or Norwegian.

Continuing to drive on a non-European licence after the first year of residency is both risky and common. Even if you have an International Drivers Licence you are breaking Swedish Law and this has been known to impose heavy fines. More importantly it invalidates your car insurance and may result in you incurring heavy costs of an accident. We strongly advise that you take the necessary steps to obtain a legal driving licence – even if you know many who do not have one.
If you come from Switzerland or Japan, you can exchange your licence for a Swedish licence if you fulfil the health requirements for a Swedish holder and you will be permanently resident. You should do this within your first year of residency.

Licences from other countries have no given right to be exchanged so you will have to take the Swedish test – which is part practical and part written – within your first year of residency in order to continue driving. Exceptions may be granted – check with the Swedish Roads Authority (Customer Services: Questions about driving licences: +46 (0)771-17 18 19 – ignore all the Swedish options and eventually you will get to speak to somebody) or your county administration (Länsstyrelsen) for details.