Private driving practice (privat övningskörning) can make the category B process more flexible and less expensive. It is still regulated. Both the learner (elev) and the supervisor (handledare) must meet Transportstyrelsen's requirements before the first drive, otherwise the drive counts as unlicensed driving.

Big change: no introduction course since 1 August 2026

Until summer 2026, both the learner and the supervisor had to complete a three-hour introduction course (introduktionsutbildning, often called handledarutbildning) before private practice with a car. Transportstyrelsen states that this requirement was abolished from 1 August 2026. That means:

  • New supervisors for category B no longer need the course.
  • An existing supervisor approval stays valid even if the old introduction course has expired.
  • Applications sent before 1 August 2026 are handled as if the course requirement no longer exists.

Older guides may still list the course as a requirement, so check the date on any page you read.

What the learner needs

To practise privately for category B, the learner needs:

  • a valid learner's permit (körkortstillstånd) for group 1
  • an approved supervisor for that learner
  • to meet the age requirement: private practice with a car starts at 16
  • a valid ID document

A learner's permit is valid for five years and cannot be extended. To apply, you send Transportstyrelsen a health declaration and a basic eye test certificate. The eye test certificate may not be older than two months when you apply. With everything in order, Transportstyrelsen says processing normally takes up to four weeks, longer if the application needs investigation.

If you only practise with a driving school, the learner's permit is enough. The supervisor approval is only needed for private practice.

Who can be a handledare?

To be approved as a supervisor for category B, the person must:

  • be at least 24 years old
  • hold a valid driving licence from Sweden or another EEA country
  • have held a licence for that vehicle type for at least five of the last ten years
  • supervise a learner who has a valid learner's permit

A person cannot be approved if, during the last three years, their licence was revoked for more than three months for an important traffic offence such as speeding or running a red light, was revoked at any time for drink driving, unreliability regarding sobriety or serious crimes, or was subject to an alcohol interlock condition. One supervisor can have at most five learners at the same time, and an approval is needed for each learner.

You apply through Transportstyrelsen's e-service with BankID, or by ordering a paper form. A supervisor approval is valid for five years, as long as the supervisor's licence is not revoked.

During practice: responsibility, sign and certificate

The supervisor is legally treated as the driver during practice and must be able to take over if something happens. That is why Transportstyrelsen advises a supervisor with a temporary injury, such as a broken foot, to wait.

The supervisor must carry the supervisor certificate (handledarbevis). It can be shown on paper or through a digital mailbox if the police ask. The ÖVNINGSKÖR sign must be clearly visible from behind and must not block the view. Passengers are allowed if the practice can be done safely.

Charging money for private practice can make the activity count as a driving school, which requires a permit. Practising without an approved supervisor counts as unlicensed driving. Besides a fine, it can affect the learner's permit.

How to plan private practice

Start in quiet areas: starting, stopping, steering, mirrors, blind-spot checks and lane position. Then add junctions, roundabouts, lane changes, parking, rural roads and city traffic step by step. Short sessions with one clear goal work better than long random drives.

After each session, write three lines: what went well, what felt unsafe and what to train next. Bring those notes to your driving school lessons so the instructor can correct habits early. Many learners combine a few school lessons for technique with many private hours for routine.

Before the driving test, the supervisor should talk less and let the learner choose lanes, speed and routes independently, because that is what the examiner will assess.

Typical mistakes in private practice

  • Starting before the approval is registered. The supervisor must be approved for that specific learner first.
  • Following outdated rules. Paying for an introduction course that is no longer required since 1 August 2026.
  • No plan. Driving the same route every time teaches routine, not judgement.
  • Too much too early. Busy city traffic or motorways before basic car control is in place.
  • Stress in the car. Family conflicts during practice slow learning. Stop the session if either person is upset.
  • Forgetting the sign or certificate. Both are part of legal private practice.

FAQ

Do I still need handledarutbildning in Sweden?

No, not for private practice with a car. Transportstyrelsen abolished the introduction course requirement from 1 August 2026. You still need a learner's permit and an approved supervisor.

How old do you have to be to practise driving privately in Sweden?

You can start practising with a car for category B from age 16. The supervisor must be at least 24.

How many learners can one supervisor have?

A supervisor can have at most five learners at the same time, with a separate approval for each learner.

Support private practice with theory

Private practice works best when the learner already knows the rules being trained that day. Körkort Hero lets learners study category B theory in 16 languages, which helps when the learner and supervisor do not share the same first language.

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