Winter Driving Rules in Sweden: Winter Tyres, Studded Tyres and Safe Driving

When are winter tyres required in Sweden?

Transportstyrelsen states that passenger cars, light trucks, light buses and certain other light vehicles must use winter tyres or equivalent equipment during the period 1 December to 31 March when wintry road conditions exist.

Wintry road conditions mean snow, ice, slush or frost on any part of the road. The police determine whether a particular road has wintry conditions.

The requirement applies to vehicles registered in Sweden as well as vehicles registered abroad when they are driven in Sweden.

Which tyres count as winter tyres?

For the relevant light vehicles, Transportstyrelsen says the tyres must be marked with the Alpine symbol (the three-peak mountain with snowflake) or be studded. There are transitional details for certain trailer tyres marked M+S through 30 November 2028, so trailer owners should check the official table before travelling.

During wintry road conditions, the tread depth for the light-vehicle group must be at least 3 millimetres.

Studded tyre dates and trailer rules

Studded tyres are permitted from 1 October to 15 April. They can also be used outside that period if wintry road conditions apply or are expected.

If a car up to 3.5 tonnes has studded tyres and tows a trailer in wintry road conditions, the trailer must also have studded tyres. Transportstyrelsen also states that mixing studded and non-studded tyres on the same vehicle is not allowed.

Why the best tyres should be at the rear

Transportstyrelsen recommends placing the tyres with the best tread depth or best grip on the rear axle, whether the car is front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. The reason is stability: better rear grip reduces the risk of the rear of the car losing traction during braking or cornering.

This is a good example of the difference between “traction for moving” and “stability for staying in control.” A learner may think the best tyres belong on the driven wheels, but vehicle stability is the more important safety principle.

Winter speed: the posted limit is not always a safe speed

Swedish speed rules require the driver to adapt speed to road, terrain, weather, visibility, vehicle condition/load and other traffic conditions. Transportstyrelsen also says you must be able to keep control and stop within the part of the road you can see and before a foreseeable obstacle.

On ice or packed snow, your safe speed may therefore be far below the posted limit. Increase distance, brake earlier and avoid sudden steering, acceleration or braking inputs.

Stopping distance grows quickly on slippery roads

Trafikverket’s stopping-distance examples are based on good tyres, good road surface and good weather. Trafikverket specifically warns that worn tyres and ice make the stopping distance much longer.

Read our stopping distance guide to understand reaction distance and braking distance separately. In winter practice, use that knowledge to create larger safety margins before junctions, pedestrian crossings and traffic queues.

A practical winter-driving checklist

• Clear snow and ice so you have proper visibility before moving.
• Check tyre condition and pressure regularly.
• Test grip gently at low speed when it is safe to do so.
• Increase following distance before you need it.
• Approach bends and junctions at a speed that avoids hard braking inside the manoeuvre.
• Expect bridges, shaded areas and exposed roads to become slippery earlier.
• Use smooth steering and pedal inputs.

Winter safety is also an exam subject because it combines vehicle knowledge, risk awareness, speed choice and stopping distance.

Related guides and practice

Use these pages to connect the rule to the rest of your Swedish driving-licence preparation.