Before you can practise driving for a category B licence in Sweden, you need a valid learner's permit, in Swedish körkortstillstånd. It is issued by Transportstyrelsen and gives you permission to practise and take the tests. Driving lessons, private practice and test bookings all depend on it: Trafikverket will not let you book a test without one.

What the application includes

For category B (group 1 in Transportstyrelsen's terms) the application has two parts:

  • A health declaration (hälsodeklaration). You answer questions about your own health, and you can fill it in directly in Transportstyrelsen's e-service. It lets the agency see whether any medical condition needs to be assessed further.
  • An eye test certificate (synintyg). It confirms that your eyesight meets the requirements, or that you need glasses or lenses to meet them.

Key facts from Transportstyrelsen:

  • Applying for the permit is free.
  • The synintyg must not be issued more than two months before your application.
  • Many opticians can send the certificate to Transportstyrelsen digitally. Ask how they report it before you leave.
  • Processing normally takes up to four weeks if everything is complete. If something needs investigation, it takes longer.
  • The permit is valid for five years and cannot be extended. If it expires before you get your licence, you apply for a new one.

There is no age limit for applying, so you can send the application in good time before you are allowed to start practising.

The eye test

The eye test is usually done at an optician. It checks visual acuity and, if needed, other aspects of your vision. If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the requirement, this is noted, and your licence will later carry a condition that you must wear correction when driving.

Book the eye test shortly before you plan to apply, because of the two-month limit.

When can you start practising?

For a passenger car in category B, you may start practising at 16 with a valid learner's permit. If you want to practise with a light lorry or a light trailer, the age is 17 years and 6 months. The licence itself can be issued from 18.

The permit opens the door. You still need training, risk education, theory preparation and the Trafikverket tests.

If you practise privately

Private practice needs an approved supervisor, a handledare. The supervisor must be at least 24 years old, hold a valid licence for the vehicle and have held it for at least five of the last ten years. They must be approved by Transportstyrelsen for you specifically.

Change in 2026: since 1 August 2026, the compulsory three-hour introductory course for private practice (introduktionsutbildning) has been abolished for category B. Neither learner nor supervisor needs it any more. Older guides that mention it are outdated.

The supervisor is responsible during practice and counts as the driver, so private practice should be planned seriously: calm routes first, clear goals and no pressure to drive in traffic that is too difficult too early.

The first step in order

  • Book the eye test at an optician and ask them to send the synintyg digitally.
  • Apply for körkortstillstånd in Transportstyrelsen's e-service and fill in the health declaration.
  • Wait for the decision. You need a valid permit before you start practising.
  • If you will practise privately, make sure your supervisor is approved by Transportstyrelsen for you before the first drive, then plan your lessons and practice drives.

Typical mistakes

  • Starting to drive before the permit is approved. Even on a quiet road, practising without a valid permit is not allowed.
  • Taking the eye test too early. A certificate older than two months at the time of application is not accepted.
  • Leaving the application late. Up to four weeks of processing can push back every later step.
  • Practising with a supervisor who is not approved. It counts as unlicensed driving and can put your permit at risk.
  • Treating the eye test as a formality. If you need glasses, wear them every time you practise so training matches test day.
  • Letting the permit expire. It lasts five years and cannot be extended.

FAQ

How long does it take to get a learner's permit in Sweden?

Transportstyrelsen normally processes a complete application within four weeks. If your health declaration needs further investigation, it can take longer.

How much does a learner's permit cost in Sweden?

Applying for körkortstillstånd is free. You pay the optician or doctor for the eye test, and prices vary between providers.

How long is a synintyg valid?

The eye test certificate must not be issued more than two months before you apply for the learner's permit.

Start theory early with Körkort Hero

While you wait for your permit, you can already start on theory. Körkort Hero gives you Swedish category B theory questions in 16 languages, so you know the basic rules before your first drive.

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