Riding in Sweden

Riding a motorcycle in Sweden - some basic regulations

A motorcycle helmet is obligatory. The law demands that you use dipped headlights at all times.

Road tolls
All roads in Sweden are free of charge for motorcycles except at the bridge to Denmark.

Kind of roads
Most of the roads are paved, but there are also a lot of small unpaved gravel roads.

Traffic regulations
Transportstyrelsen
S-601 73 NORRKÖPING
Tel, vehicles: 0771-14 15 16 (from abroad +46 771 14 15 16), drivers license: 0771-81 81 81
Website: www.transportstyrelsen.se

Trafikverket is responsible for the main part of the Swedish road system.  Website: www.trafikverket.se
Every local authority is in charge of roads and streets in urban areas. Website: www.skl.se

The traffic police, the local police and the uniformed police execute the traffic control. In Sweden you drive on the right hand side of the road. Road users have to follow the traffic regulations, witch are as follows:

• Traffic signs
• Road marks
• Traffic lights

  Speed limits are indicated as follows:

• Valid for passenger car, motorcycle, truck and bus with less than 3.5 ton total weight.
• Within densely populated areas, 30km/h., 40km/h., 50km/h and 60 km/h.
• Outside densely populated areas, 70km/h., 80 km/h., 90km/h., 100 km/h,  110km/h and 120 km/h..

Blocking line (In the driving direction of the vehicle) or restricted area may not be exceeded. Distance to a vehicle in front of you must be adapted in such a way that there is no danger to run into it and that overtaking is facilitated. Traffic on major roads has the right of way unless signs indicate otherwise. Priority is given to traffic already in a roundabout. Overtaking is done on the left, except when the vehicle in the front of you wants to turn left. Overtaking is not permitted:

• Directly before or in a road crossing.
• Railway crossing.
• On the crest of a hill or in a curve with limited view ( this applies to roads with only one lane).

It is forbidden to make "U-turns" on motorways. Parking on major roads outside denely populated areas is forbidden. Headlights at half beam must be used during daylight hours. Both the driver and passenger of a motorcycle must wear approved helmets. Warning for wild animals on the road. If impacts with moose, reindeer or deer occur, you are obliged to notify the police. Warning for gravel roads. Warning for slippery asphalt when wet. Driving under the influence of alcohol leads to fine or withdrawal of the driving licence. Drink-drive limit: 0,02 %. Emergency call = 112, police, fire brigade, ambulance and physician.

Driving Licence
Driving licences must be carried when driving. Driving licences issued within EEG is valid in Sweden in accordance with its contents. Other foreign driving licenses are valid in Sweden in accordance with its contents, presupposed that the driving licence is translated into English, German, French, Swedish, Danish or Norwegian. Driving licences without a photo is only valid in conjunction with other forms of identification that include a photo. A foreign driving licence may not be invalid in the state where it is issued.

Fine in SEK.
The most common forms of traffic supervision used by the police are laser, radar, aerial surveillance and video. The traffic police can impose fines up to SEK 10 000 at the site of the offence or request the offender to pay the fine at the post office within 30 days. If the offence is of a more serious nature the public prosecutor will be notified and the case resolved in a court of law. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: Fine or prison up to 6 months. With heavy drunkenness: Prison up to 2 years.

Unlawful driving results in fines, or for more serious offences prison up to 6 months.

Traffic police are according to Swedish law obliged to confiscate the driving licence if the seriousness of the offence is so great that the probable outcome of a prosecution will result in the confiscation of a driving licence.

In the following instances the police can confiscate a driving licence;

• Driving when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Driving more than 30km/hr over the permitted speed limit, or more than 20km/hr over or on 30km/hr road.
• Driving against red light.
• Overtaking despite meeting vehicle.
• Short distance, less than ½ second behind other vehicle.
• Neglecting to stop at the stop sign.