Sweden moves to end driver's license tourism exploitation

In Sweden, the Transportstyrelsen authority is taking steps to combat the issue of driving license tourism, where individuals travel to other EEA countries to obtain driving licenses without valid tests. This practice has been exploited by many registered Swedes who exchange third-country licenses for European ones, benefiting from more lenient exchange rules in other countries. The authority estimates that approximately 3,000 individuals may have acquired their driving licenses in this manner last year. To address this, Transportstyrelsen has proposed requiring an approved driving test in an EEA country before allowing the exchange for a Swedish license. This change aims to tighten regulations and ensure that only those who have legitimately passed driving tests can obtain a Swedish driving license, thereby reducing the prevalence of fraudulent licenses in the country. The authority's submission to the government highlights the need for these changes to protect road safety and maintain the integrity of the licensing system.