Private Driving Practice in Sweden: Rules for Learners and Supervisors
Private practice can be one of the best ways to gain enough driving experience for a Swedish B licence. The rules changed in August 2026, so this guide explains exactly what the learner and supervisor still need.
Quick answer
Since 1 August 2026, the introductory training requirement for private category B practice has been removed. The learner still needs the required learner’s permit, and the private supervisor must still apply to Transportstyrelsen and be approved for that specific learner.
The biggest current misunderstanding is that private driving practice became unregulated when the handledarkurs requirement disappeared. It did not. The course requirement was removed, but the learner’s permit, age rules, supervisor approval and responsibility during practice remain important.
Watch: Do You Still Need Handledarkurs for Private Practice?
A quick explanation of the rule change from 1 August 2026 and what learners and private supervisors still need to arrange.
Continue below for the full explanation, examples and official-source references.
The August 2026 change: handledarkurs is no longer required
From 1 August 2026, Sweden removed the requirement for the learner and supervisor to complete the introductory training course for private category B practice. You may still see older English pages or older driving-school material saying that both people must attend a three-hour course. That information refers to the previous rule.
The important point is what did not disappear. A private supervisor still has to be approved by Transportstyrelsen, and the learner still needs to satisfy the permit and age requirements. Transportstyrelsen’s current Swedish information specifically confirms that neither the learner nor supervisor needs a valid introductory course for private practice with a passenger car or light lorry.
Current rule: no compulsory handledarkurs, but approved handledare + learner requirements still apply.
What does the learner need?
For ordinary category B private practice, the learner needs a valid körkortstillstånd (learner’s permit), must meet the age requirement and needs an approved supervisor. Transportstyrelsen lists the minimum age for practising in a passenger car without a trailer as 16 years.
The learner should also carry valid identification. If you are only practising through an authorised driving school, the private-supervisor approval is not needed; the authorised instructor is responsible for the lesson.
If you are still at the beginning of the licence process, read our learner’s permit guide and complete licence guide.
What does the private supervisor need?
Transportstyrelsen requires a private supervisor to be approved before the practice begins. The current requirements include being at least 24 years old, having a valid Swedish or other EEA driving licence and having held the relevant vehicle category for a total of at least five of the last ten years.
Approval is connected to a specific learner. If a supervisor practises with several learners, an application is needed for each learner. Transportstyrelsen also states that a supervisor can have a maximum of five valid learner approvals at the same time.
The supervisor is regarded as the driver during private practice and must be able to take responsibility for the situation. The supervisor proof should be available during practice and can be shown in paper or, where applicable, through a digital mailbox if requested by the police.
The practice car and the ÖVNINGSKÖR sign
Private practice must be clearly marked. The green-and-white ÖVNINGSKÖR sign should be clearly visible from behind the car. Treat the practice car as a real training environment: mirrors, tyres, lights, visibility and seating position should be checked before you start.
A good supervisor also plans the route according to the learner’s current level. A new learner should not be placed immediately into dense city traffic simply because it is technically allowed. Start in a low-risk environment, then add junctions, roundabouts, higher speeds and more complex traffic as competence improves.
How to structure private driving practice
Many learners drive many kilometres but improve slowly because every session is unplanned. A simple teaching structure makes private practice much more effective.
- Choose one main objective. For example: smooth starts, right-hand-rule junctions or lane changes.
- Demonstrate the expected method. Agree on mirror checks, speed and positioning before the first attempt.
- Repeat in different places. Do not learn one junction by memory.
- Give feedback after the situation. Avoid long explanations while the learner is handling a demanding traffic situation.
- End with reflection. Ask what went well, what felt difficult and what to practise next time.
A useful rule for supervisors: teach the learner to make decisions, not to wait for your commands. The practical test requires independent driving.
Combine private driving with theory study
Private practice becomes much more valuable when the learner understands the rule behind each action. If you approach an unsigned intersection, the question is not only “Should I stop?” but “Which priority rule controls this situation?”
Use our right-hand rule guide, roundabout guide and priority rules guide during practical training. Then test the same subjects with explained theory questions.
Private practice when removing automatic condition 78
There is a special rule for a driver who already has category B with an automatic-transmission restriction and wants to practise privately for a manual test. Transportstyrelsen states that a new learner’s permit is not required when the automatic condition is not based on medical reasons. An approved private supervisor is still required.
Read our full automatic vs manual driving test guide before planning this upgrade.
Related guides and practice
Use these pages to connect the rule to the rest of your Swedish driving-licence preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Is handledarkurs still required for private driving practice in Sweden?
No. The introductory training requirement for private category B practice was removed on 1 August 2026.
Does the supervisor still need approval after August 2026?
Yes. The private supervisor must still apply to Transportstyrelsen and be approved for the specific learner.
How old must a private driving supervisor be?
Transportstyrelsen states that the supervisor must be at least 24 years old and meet the driving-licence experience requirements.
How old can I start practising category B in a passenger car?
Transportstyrelsen lists 16 years as the minimum age for practising category B in a passenger car without a trailer.
Who is considered the driver during private practice?
The approved supervisor is responsible and is regarded as the driver during private driving practice.
Official sources
Rules and test procedures can change. The explanations on this page were reviewed against the official sources below on 30 August 2026.
Turn every practice drive into a lesson
Use the theory book before you drive and explained questions after you drive. Connecting the rule to a real situation is one of the best ways to remember it.