Pedestrians and cyclists are vulnerable road users (oskyddade trafikanter). A mistake that would cause a dent between two cars can seriously injure a person on foot or on a bike. Swedish traffic rules therefore give drivers clear duties towards them, and both the theory test and the driving test check that you know and apply those duties. The rules below come from Trafikförordningen (1998:1276).

The general duty of care

Every road user must take the care and caution the situation requires, and show special consideration to children, elderly people, school patrols and people who clearly have a disability or illness that affects them in traffic (2 kap. 1 §). The speed rules add that you must keep a sufficiently low speed, among other places, in built-up areas, when approaching a tram, bus or school bus that has stopped to let passengers on or off, and when approaching children on or beside the road (3 kap. 15 §).

In practice: when you see a ball, a bus at a stop or a group of children, lower your speed before you know what will happen.

Pedestrian crossings

Unregulated crossings

At a pedestrian crossing without traffic lights or a police officer (obevakat övergångsställe), you must give way to pedestrians who are on the crossing or are about to step onto it (3 kap. 61 §). "About to" is the key phrase. A person standing at the kerb and looking across counts.

You must adapt your driving so you do not have to stop on the crossing (62 §), and you may not overtake just before or on an unregulated crossing (40 §). If you pass a queue in another lane before a crossing, do it slowly enough to stop immediately if someone is on the crossing (41 §).

Signal-controlled crossings

At a crossing with traffic lights (bevakat övergångsställe), you must let pedestrians who correctly started crossing finish, even if you now have a green light. If you turn at a junction and then pass a signal-controlled crossing, you must drive slowly and give way to pedestrians who are on it or about to step onto it (60 §). This is a classic driving test situation: green light for you, green for the pedestrians crossing the street you turn into.

Cycle passages and cycle crossings

Sweden has two different markings where cyclists cross the road, and the rules differ:

  • Cycle crossing (cykelöverfart): drivers must give way to cyclists and class II moped riders who are on it or about to ride onto it (61 a §).
  • Cycle passage (cykelpassage): drivers must adapt their speed so cyclists already on it are not put in danger. If you leave a roundabout or turn at a junction and then pass an unregulated cycle passage, you must drive slowly and let cyclists who are on it or about to ride onto it pass (61 §).

At signal-controlled cycle passages, the same duty applies as at signal-controlled pedestrian crossings (60 §).

On a cycle path, cyclists and class II moped riders must be given priority by other drivers (59 §). When you cross a cycle path or footpath to enter a road, you give way to every vehicle on the road (21 §).

Buses, trams and stops

If you pass on the right of a tram or bus that has stopped at a stop without a refuge island, you must stop and let passengers get on and off (58 §). Passengers often walk straight from the bus into the road behind it, so slow down well before the stop.

Meeting, overtaking and turning near cyclists

When you meet or overtake pedestrians, you must give them enough space and time to move aside (58 §). When overtaking any vehicle, including a bicycle, you must leave a safe lateral distance (3 kap. 33 §). Swedish law does not set a fixed distance in metres, so the space must match your speed and the situation.

Watch for cyclists before a right turn. They may be on your right in a cycle lane or cycle path, and a turning car is one of the most dangerous situations for them. Check the mirror and blind spot, and let them pass first. Cyclists may also keep to the right before a junction even when they will turn left, crossing to the far side before turning (3 kap. 28 §). Do not assume a cyclist on the right is going straight.

Walking-speed areas and pedestrian streets

In a walking-speed area (gångfartsområde) and on a pedestrian street (gågata), vehicles may not drive faster than walking pace, may not park, and must give way to pedestrians (8 kap. 1 §). Motor vehicles may only drive on a pedestrian street to cross it or in specific cases, such as deliveries.

Parking near crossings is also regulated. You may not stop or park on, or within 10 metres before, a pedestrian crossing, cycle passage or cycle crossing (3 kap. 53 §), because a parked car hides children and cyclists.

Typical theory test traps

  • "About to step onto" the crossing. The correct answer gives way to the pedestrian waiting at the kerb, not only to someone already on the stripes.
  • Cycle crossing versus cycle passage. At a cycle crossing, drivers give way. At a cycle passage, drivers adapt speed and give way after turning.
  • Green light when turning. A green signal does not cancel your duty towards pedestrians on the crossing you turn across.
  • Overtaking before a crossing. Not allowed before or on an unregulated crossing.
  • Bus stop on the right. Stop if passengers are getting on or off a bus or tram at a stop without a refuge island.

FAQ

Do cars have to stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings in Sweden?

Yes. At an unregulated pedestrian crossing, drivers must give way to pedestrians who are on the crossing or about to step onto it. That usually means stopping.

Do cyclists have priority at crossings in Sweden?

At a cycle crossing (cykelöverfart), yes: drivers must give way. At a cycle passage (cykelpassage), drivers must adapt speed, and after turning they must let cyclists on or about to enter the passage cross.

How much space must I give a cyclist when overtaking in Sweden?

Trafikförordningen requires a safe lateral distance but does not set a fixed number of metres. Give more space at higher speed, in wind and when the cyclist is a child.

Practise vulnerable road user questions

Questions about crossings and cyclists often look similar but have different correct answers. Körkort Hero lets you practise these category B situations in 16 languages, with explanations of which rule applies and why.

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