Driving in Darkness and Using Lights in Sweden

In much of Sweden it is dark for a large part of the day in winter, so night driving is not an exception but normal everyday traffic. The theory test reflects this with many questions about which lights to use, how far you can see and how to spot pedestrians and animals in time.

The rules below come from chapter 3 of the Traffic Ordinance (Trafikförordningen 1998:1276), sections 67 to 75, unless another source is named.

Lights are always on in Sweden

When you drive a car on a road, the prescribed lights must be on (section 68). In practice this means dipped beam (halvljus) at all times (section 69).

In daylight you may use daytime running lights (varselljus) instead of dipped beam. That exception does not apply in darkness, at dawn or dusk, or when weather or other conditions make dipped beam necessary (section 71).

This matters in modern cars. Many daytime running lights only light up the front of the car, so the rear is dark. If it is dusk, raining heavily or foggy, switch to dipped beam so that your rear lights are on too.

Main beam: when you must use it and when you may not

Section 70 is unusual because it creates a duty, not just a permission. You must use main beam (helljus) when your field of vision would otherwise not be enough to drive safely at your speed.

You may not use main beam:

on a stretch where the road is satisfactorily lit
at a distance from an oncoming vehicle where its driver could be dazzled
when meeting a train or tram running along the road, if there is a risk of dazzle
at a short distance behind another vehicle

Section 67 adds a general rule: lights must never be used so that other drivers are dazzled.

Meeting other traffic at night

The moment you dip your main beam, your visible distance shrinks. A good habit when meeting a car on an unlit road:

Dip in good time so the other driver is not dazzled.
Look towards the right edge of the road, not into the oncoming headlights.
Reduce speed if you can no longer see far enough to stop in time.
Switch back to main beam as soon as the oncoming vehicle has passed.

Section 14 requires that you can always stop within the distance you can see. Section 15 lists reduced visibility due to light conditions and risk of dazzle as situations where you must keep a sufficiently low speed. If you are dazzled, slow down. Driving "blind" at the same speed is never the correct answer.

Fog lights and rear fog lights

Front fog lights may be used instead of dipped beam in fog and heavy rain or snow (section 71). They may not be used at the same time as dipped beam or daytime running lights in a car.
The rear fog light may only be used in fog, heavy precipitation or similarly poor visibility, and in a way that does not dazzle drivers behind you (section 72).

A rear fog light is very bright. Using it on a clear night or in a queue in light rain blinds the driver behind and is a common mistake.

Parking and stopping in the dark

When a vehicle has stopped or is parked on a road in darkness, dusk or dawn, or when weather requires it, its parking lights and rear lights must be on (section 74).

There are exceptions. You do not need the lights if the road is so well lit that the car can be clearly seen anyway, or if the car is parked off the carriageway and the verge (section 75). A car no longer than 6 m and no wider than 2 m parked along the edge of a road with a limit of 50 km/h or lower only needs the lights facing the centre of the road.

Pedestrians, cyclists and wildlife in the dark

Pedestrians and cyclists

Unprotected road users are hard to see at night. Trafikverket gives these approximate distances for a pedestrian seen by a driver using dipped beam:

with a reflector: about 125 metres
in light clothing: about 60 metres
in dark clothing without reflectors: only 20 to 30 metres

Trafikverket also notes that most pedestrians killed or injured in darkness are hit in built-up areas with street lighting. A lit street lets you see the road, but it does not make dark-clad pedestrians visible.

Wildlife after dark

Moose, deer and wild boar are a major risk on Swedish roads. Trafikverket says the risk is highest in spring and during the autumn hunting season, and especially at dawn and dusk. Watch for sign A19, Varning för djur (warning for animals), and scan the verges with main beam where it is allowed.

If you hit an animal such as a moose, deer, wild boar, bear or wolf, the driver must mark the place and report to the police, even if the animal ran away. Call 112. According to Polisen, failing to report is an offence under the hunting ordinance and can lead to day-fines.

Typical theory test traps

Daytime running lights at dusk. Varselljus are not enough at dawn, dusk or in darkness. The answer is dipped beam.
Main beam as a choice. Section 70 says you must use main beam when dipped beam is not enough. "Never use main beam" is wrong.
Rear fog light in rain. It is only allowed in heavy precipitation or fog, not in normal rain.
Lit street equals safe. Street lighting does not make a pedestrian in dark clothes easy to see.
Dazzled by oncoming car. The correct reaction is to look to the right edge and slow down, not to flash your main beam back.

FAQ

Do I need dipped beam during the day in Sweden?

Yes, unless your car has daytime running lights and it is daylight with good visibility. At dawn, dusk, in darkness or poor weather you must use dipped beam.

Can I use front fog lights together with dipped beam?

No. In a car, fog lights may replace dipped beam in fog or heavy precipitation, but the law says they may not be used at the same time.

What should I do if I hit a deer at night?

Stop safely, turn on the hazard lights, put out the warning triangle, mark the place and call 112, even if you cannot see the animal any more.

Körkort Hero includes practice questions on lights, glare and night driving, with explanations in 16 languages, which is a practical way to check that these rules have really stuck before your theory test.

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