Roadworks and Temporary Signs in Sweden

Roadworks are where Swedish traffic rules stack on top of each other. You may see a temporary speed limit, yellow lines painted over white ones, a closed lane and a flagger, all within a few hundred metres. The theory test likes these situations because they show whether you read the newest instruction or just follow habit.

The rules come from two sources: the Road Signs Ordinance (Vägmärkesförordningen 2007:90), which defines every sign and marking, and the Traffic Ordinance (Trafikförordningen 1998:1276), which sets the driving rules.

Signs that announce roadworks

A20, Varning för vägarbete: marks a stretch of road where roadworks or similar work is going on.
A21, Slut på sträcka med vägarbete: marks the end of a stretch signed with A20. It may be left out if it is still obvious where the stretch ends.
C31, Hastighetsbegränsning: the normal speed limit sign, also used for temporary limits at roadworks. It applies until another speed limit is shown, or until sign C32 is reached.
C32, Tillfällig hastighetsbegränsning upphör: tells you that a temporary speed limit shown with C31 has ended.

Even without a temporary speed sign, 3 kap. 15 § of Trafikförordningen requires a sufficiently low speed where roadworks are in progress. A legal limit of 90 does not mean 90 is right when people are working next to the lane.

Yellow markings replace white ones

In Sweden, road markings are white unless stated otherwise. Vägmärkesförordningen (4 kap. 3 §) allows yellow markings when there is a temporary need, for example roadworks, and these yellow markings apply instead of the ordinary markings.

In practice this means:

If a yellow line and an old white line point you in different directions, follow the yellow one.
A yellow solid line has the same meaning as a white solid line: you must not cross it.
When the roadworks end and the yellow paint is removed, the white markings apply again.

Guidance boards with a red background

Vägmärkesförordningen has a group of "other devices" (X devices) that guide traffic past bends and obstacles. Three of them change colour at roadworks:

X1, Markeringspil: yellow arrows showing that you must turn sharply, for example in a bend.
X2, Markeringsskärm för hinder: shows that the road is narrowed by an obstacle, or fully or partly closed.
X3, Markeringsskärm för sidohinder: marks the edge of the road or separates traffic directions. Normally you pass on the side the yellow fields slope down towards.

When X1, X2 or X3 are used at roadworks or for another temporary reason, they have a red background. On a temporary X3 the yellow fields can be horizontal, and then you may pass on either side.

You may also see X6 (a special warning device with text describing the hazard) and X7 (a road barrier showing the road is fully or partly closed).

Lane closures, merging and detours

F25, Körfält upphör: a lane is temporarily closed but another lane in your direction can be used.
F26, Körfält avstängt: a lane is temporarily closed and no other lane in your direction can be used.
F23 and F24: show a detour route (omledningsväg) when the normal road is temporarily closed, and the direction to follow.
E15, Sammanvävning: two lanes or carriageways merge. Under 3 kap. 44 § of Trafikförordningen, drivers must adapt to each other with mutual consideration. Neither lane has automatic priority.

Direction signs for a temporary traffic diversion can have an orange background with black text. At narrow single-lane passages you may also meet B6 (you must give way to oncoming traffic) or B7 (oncoming traffic must give way to you).

Flaggers and temporary signals

At roadworks, traffic can be directed by a flagger (vakt), wearing special identification front and back. Vägmärkesförordningen defines their signals:

V1, Stopp: stop. In darkness it is given with a red lamp. It can also be given with sign C34 showing the text "Vakt".
V2, Kör fram: you may continue, given with a waving movement in the direction of travel.

Under 2 kap. 2 § of Trafikförordningen you must follow signs, markings, traffic signals and flagger signals, and if such an instruction differs from a traffic rule, the instruction applies. A police officer's instruction must always be obeyed (2 kap. 3 §).

Where a road is temporarily closed, you may also meet a signal with two red lights flashing alternately. It means stop.

Passing obstacles

Normally no wheel may cross a solid line (3 kap. 11 §). One exception is when it is needed to pass an obstacle on the road, but only with special care. At roadworks, check whether yellow markings or X devices already show a new path before you use that exception.

Typical theory test traps

White line versus yellow line. The yellow temporary marking applies instead of the white one.
"No workers visible, so the limit doesn't matter." A C31 sign is binding until it is replaced or ends with C32.
Merging at E15. Neither lane has priority. Both drivers must adapt to each other.
Red background on X3. On a temporary X3 with horizontal yellow fields you may pass on both sides. On a normal X3 you follow the slope of the fields.
"The limit ends at the next junction." A C31 limit applies until another limit is signed or C32 ends it. It does not need to be repeated after a junction if the same limit applies on the crossing road.

FAQ

Do yellow lines overrule white lines in Sweden?

Yes. Yellow markings are used for temporary needs such as roadworks and apply instead of the ordinary white markings.

When does a temporary speed limit at roadworks end?

When you pass sign C32 (temporary speed limit ends) or a new C31 sign showing another limit. Do not assume it ends at the A21 sign. Look for the speed signs.

Do I need to slow down if there is no temporary speed sign?

Yes. Trafikförordningen 3 kap. 15 § requires a sufficiently low speed where roadworks are in progress, whatever the posted limit.

Körkort Hero has practice questions on roadwork signs, yellow markings and merging, in 16 languages, so you can learn the sign codes and their Swedish names side by side.

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