The Swedish Transport Agency has begun rewriting Swedish driving license regulations to implement the EU’s fourth Driving License Directive. The changes cover everything from digital licenses and new medical requirements to licenses at age 17 and a new category for light, speed-limited cars. Additionally, anyone who has their license revoked for serious traffic offenses in one EU country will be penalized throughout the entire union.

According to the Swedish Transport Agency, the work involves changes to existing regulations as well as entirely new ones. This includes traffic medicine, driving tests and driver training, examiners, physical and digital licenses, and technical requirements for vehicles. The directive came into force on November 25, 2025. Most new regulations are to be decided by November 26, 2028, and begin to apply one year later.

In the field of traffic medicine, the medical requirements for obtaining and renewing a driver’s license will be reviewed. One change is already clear in the directive: anyone renewing a license for a truck or bus must always provide a medical certificate, regardless of age. Currently in Sweden, this is only required once the license holder turns 45.

An EU-wide digital driver’s license is to be introduced in the form of an electronic certificate within a digital wallet on your mobile. According to the directive, all member states must have implemented it by 2031 at the latest, but it is not yet clear when Sweden will do so. Anyone who wishes can still request a traditional plastic card.

Revoked license will apply throughout the EU

In connection with the driving license directive, the EU also decided on a so-called revocation directive. Member states are to inform each other whenever someone has their license revoked for at least three months due to serious traffic offenses.

This applies to speeding by more than 50 kilometers per hour over the limit, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and other traffic offenses that have caused serious injury or death. The country that issued the license must ensure that the penalty applies across the entire EU.

Licenses at 17 and heavier cars with a category B license

From November 26, 2028, it will be possible to obtain a category B license at age 17. Until the 18th birthday, the young driver may only drive accompanied by a supervisor in the passenger seat. The supervisor must be at least 24 years old and have held a license for at least five years without it being revoked.

The directive also introduces the B1 category for cars weighing up to 2,500 kilos and not capable of exceeding 45 kilometers per hour. The basic rule is that it can be obtained from the age of 16, but countries may lower the age to 15 with EU Commission approval.

From November 26, 2027, those who have held a B license for two years will be allowed to drive cars up to 4,250 kilos, but only if the vehicles are powered wholly or partly by electricity or other alternative fuels. Several parts of the directive are voluntary, and how Sweden will adapt these is still not determined.