Short answer
No introductory course is required since 1 August 2026. To practice drive privately you still need a learner permit, an approved supervisor, the right age and valid ID. The supervisor must be at least 24 and have held the licence for at least five of the last ten years.
What changed
Previously both supervisor and learner had to attend an introductory course (often called the supervisor course) before private practice driving could start. The Transport Agency states that this requirement was abolished on 1 August 2026. Neither supervisor nor learner needs the course any more. If you have already taken it nothing changes for you, but nobody needs to take it going forward.
What now applies to private practice driving
- A learner permit for the learner. Free to apply for, valid for five years. See The Swedish learner permit.
- An approved supervisor. The supervisor applies free of charge at the Transport Agency, via e-service or form.
- Minimum age for the learner: 16 for car (B), 15 years 9 months for A1, 17 years 6 months for A2, and for A 19 years 6 months with A2 for at least 18 months, otherwise 23.
- Valid ID during practice driving.
If you practice at a driving school you only need the learner permit; the supervisor requirement applies to private practice driving.
Supervisor requirements
- At least 24 years old.
- A valid licence from Sweden or another EEA country, held for the relevant category for at least five of the last ten years in total.
- The supervisor approval is valid for five years as long as the licence is not revoked, and a supervisor may have at most five learners at the same time.
Motorcycles
In private motorcycle practice the supervisor must either ride pillion on the same motorcycle or ride their own. The learner plate must be clearly visible from behind and may be on the clothing. A supervisor may practice with one learner at a time.
Do not forget risk education
The change only concerns the introductory course. Risk education, Risk 1 and Risk 2, is still mandatory for both cars and motorcycles and must be completed before the theory test and the driving test. It does not require a learner permit, so you can book it whenever it suits you.
Frequently asked questions
Does the supervisor have to take an introductory course?
Not any more. According to the Transport Agency the introductory course requirement was abolished on 1 August 2026, for both supervisor and learner.
What is required to be a supervisor?
That you are at least 24, hold a valid licence from Sweden or another EEA country, and have held the category for at least five of the last ten years in total. The application is free.
How long is a supervisor approval valid?
Five years, as long as the licence is not revoked. A supervisor may have at most five learners at the same time.
When can I start practice driving a car?
From 16, with a learner permit and an approved supervisor (or at a driving school).
Sources
- Swedish Transport Agency: Supervisors, handledare (Swedish)
- Swedish Transport Agency: Practice driving (Swedish)
- Swedish Transport Agency: Learner permit (Swedish)
Rules can change. Always check the current requirements with the Swedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen) before booking a test.