Free driver's licenses: Social Democrat promise ahead of the election

In Malmö, the Social Democrats are going into the election promising what they call free driver’s license training for those enrolled in vocational upper secondary education. The issue is also being pursued by the Moderates.

Youth unemployment in Malmö is above the national average and it is argued that having a driver’s license would make job hunting easier.

– Youth unemployment in Malmö has halved in ten years. Despite the economic downturn, unemployment has decreased over the past four years. But we are not satisfied, we want more – and that’s why we are now launching the next initiative to give more young people in Malmö pathways into the labor market, says Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh (S), Chair of the Municipal Executive Board in Malmö.

The proposal covers around 600 students and would cost four million SEK per year. Previously, driver’s license training was offered on a trial basis to students in the health and social care program at Neptunigymnasiet, which is considered to have worked well, and now the aim is to expand it to include everyone enrolled in one of Malmö City’s vocational upper secondary programs.

– A great many jobs today require a driver’s license. By offering free driver’s license training, we’re giving more young people better opportunities to establish themselves in the labor market directly after graduation. The majority of the young people currently registered at the Swedish Public Employment Service lack a driver’s license, says Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh.

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M: Our idea

According to the party, offering free driver’s license training is a way to make vocational upper secondary programs more attractive and something that further strengthens quality.

The Moderates in the city are also pushing for the same issue, claiming that the Social Democrats have taken the idea from them.

– The Social Democrats must be really tired and out of ideas, since they shamelessly steal Moderate election promises, which they previously were against, says Helena Nanne (M), opposition councilor in Malmö, to the public broadcaster.