Short answer
The learner permit is free, valid for five years and applied for at the Swedish Transport Agency with a health declaration and an eye test certificate no older than two months. There is no minimum age to apply. You need it for practice driving and for the theory and driving tests, but not for risk education.
What is a learner permit?
The learner permit is the Transport Agency's decision that you may start practice driving and take the driving tests. Everyone getting a Swedish licence needs one, both the first time and after a licence has been revoked. It is personal and tied to the categories you applied for.
What is required
For the categories in group 1, that is AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE and tractor, you submit:
- A health declaration, a form where you state facts about your own health.
- An eye test certificate, for example from an optician. It may not be older than two months when you apply.
For the higher categories (lorry and bus) a medical certificate is required instead. That does not apply to car or motorcycle licences.
How to apply
- Book an eye test with an optician who issues certificates for driving licences.
- Log in to the Transport Agency's e-service (Swedish e-identification needed) and fill in the health declaration. Many opticians send the eye test certificate digitally straight to the agency.
- Wait for the decision. Once the permit is granted you can start practice driving, if you meet the age requirement, and book risk education and tests when you are ready.
You can also apply on a paper form sent to the Transport Agency in Örebro.
Cost and validity
The application is free. The permit is valid for five years and cannot be extended; if you have not got your licence within five years, you apply for a new one. Expect the eye test to cost at the optician.
Age
There is no minimum age for the application itself, but there are minimum ages for practice driving and for getting a licence. For cars you may practice drive from 16. Motorcycles have different limits per category, see Motorcycle licences: A1, A2 and A.
Learner permit and risk education
Risk education is independent of the learner permit. You can do Risk 1 and Risk 2 with us without a permit. But both parts must be completed, and the permit valid, on the day you take the theory test and the driving test.
Frequently asked questions
What does the learner permit cost?
Nothing. According to the Transport Agency, applying for a learner permit is free. The eye test at an optician may cost.
How long is it valid?
Five years. It cannot be extended; if it expires you apply for a new one.
Do I need a learner permit for risk education?
No. You can do Risk 1 and Risk 2 without one. You need it to practice drive and for the theory test and driving test.
Is there a minimum age to apply?
No, there is no minimum age to apply. There are minimum ages to practice drive and to get a licence, for example 16 for practice driving a car.
Sources
- Swedish Transport Agency: Learner permit, körkortstillstånd (Swedish)
- Swedish Transport Agency: Practice driving (Swedish)
- Swedish Transport Agency: E-services (Swedish)
Rules can change. Always check the current requirements with the Swedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen) before booking a test.