Road Transport Operations Sweden

Sweden, officially the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north and Finland to the east, and is connected to Denmark in the southwest by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund Strait.

At 450,295 square kilometres, Sweden is the largest country in Northern Europe, the third-largest country in the European Union and the fifth largest country in Europe by area. The capital city is Stockholm. Sweden has a total population of 10.3 million inhabitants.

Cabotage

UK operators may carry loads to, from or through the country. Loads carried between third countries can only do so under a bi-lateral agreement. However, loads carried between the UK, Sweden and a third member state may be undertaken. Cabotage is permitted.

Dangerous Goods

Sweden is party to ADR. It is essential that fully completed ADR documentation is prepared for the movement of dangerous goods.

Hazardous goods can be transported across the Øresund Bridge at no extra cost. However, restrictions are in force as they are for tunnels in Sweden. Road tunnels with restrictions on dangerous goods vehicles are classified into five tunnel categories, A-E. The Øresund Tunnel is assigned the following tunnel categories: -

Category E from 06.00 to 23.00 daily
Category B from 23.00 to 06.00 daily

Category E implies a restriction on all dangerous goods which must be marked in accordance with the ADR regulations with the exception of UN nos. 2919, 3291, 3331, 3359 and 3373.

Tunnel Category B implies a restriction on dangerous goods which could result in a major explosion. See the provisions of ADR, Part 8, and Section 8.6.

Tunnel restrictions shall not apply when dangerous goods are carried in accordance with ADR, Section 1.1.3 about exemptions.

For further information, visit the UNECE website at the link below & select the country name applicable - http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/adr/country-info_e.html

Abnormal Loads

Special transport across the Øresund Bridge requires permission from the authorities. In Denmark, this is the police. In Sweden it is:

Gatukontoret Malmö Stad if the transportation takes place within Malmö municipality's borders.
Trafikverket Region Syd, if the transportation takes place outside Malmö municipality's borders.

Drivers must notify the Øresund Bridge's Traffic Centre of their arrival at least two hours beforehand. The telephone number is +45 33 41 65 91. 

At the toll station, drivers must produce their authorisation and provide the size of the transport and the time window.

For information on prices per trip and escort vehicles, visit the Øresund Bridge at this link - https://www.oresundsbron.com/en/business/prices/special-transport

All abnormal load operators will require a keeper’s certificate to prove ownership of the trailer which must be carried as part of the vehicle documents at all times.
An application form can be downloaded below:

Keepers Trailer Certificate Abloads (pdf, 0.7 MB)

Taxation

A full tank of fuel can be imported duty free EU Countries only. Non-EU operated vehicles are limited to 400 litres.

Customs

TIR Carnets are accepted for vehicles crossing Sweden. ATA Carnets are accepted for certain temporary imports. CMR notes are required.

Movement Restrictions

There are no driving restrictions on goods vehicles at weekends or on public holidays.

Low Emission Zones

Since 2007, low emission zones (LEZ) have been enforced in Stockholm, Göteborg, Malmö, Lund, Helsingborg, Umea, Uppsala and Mölndal.

For further information on EU Low Emission Zones, visit the link below:
https://urbanaccessregulations.eu/countries-mainmenu-147/sweden-mainmenu-248

Road Tolls

Sweden is one of 4 countries that operate the Eurovignette toll system, the other countries are Denmark, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Heavy goods vehicles and vehicle combinations with a maximum admissible weight from 12 tonnes must have a valid Eurovignette when driving in the countries named above. The Eurovignette is calculated by the vehicles Euro Engine value and the number of axles on the vehicle.

Road User Charging Schemes

There are road user charging schemes in the following cities:

There are other bans in place in the major cities and which include the following: -

Night time lorry ban
Studded tyre ban

Bridge and Tunnel Tolls

The 2 main toll bridges in Sweden are Øresund Bridge, which connects Malmo to Copenhagen in Denmark and spans the Øresund Strait, the other is Svinesunds Bridge, which crosses the Iddefjord at Svinesund between Sweden and Norway.

Øresund Bridge (E20) - Connects Malmo to Copenhagen (Denmark). For toll charges visit the website at -  https://www.oresundsbron.com/en/start
Svinesunds Bridge (E6) - Connects Sweden to Norway. For toll charges visit the website at - https://www.svinesundsforbindelsen.no/

Vehicle Legal Documentation

Green Card required, plus original vehicle registration docs.
A GB plate must be fitted to rear of vehicle/trailer. Trailer Registration Certificate is a requirement.
To register for a trailer certificate go to - https://www.gov.uk/register-trailer-to-take-abroad

Maximum Weights & Dimensions
In Sweden, the public road network is divided into 2 weight classes: Bk1 (Class 1) and Bk2 (Class 2). Bk1, on which higher weights are permitted, covers about 80% of the public road network. The figures indicated below are for Bk1 roads.
Height	Unrestricted but roads are generally designed for heights up to 4.5 metres
Width	2.55 metres (Fridges 2.6 metres)
Length	Artic 24 metres Road Train 25.25 metres (Prime Mover + Dolly + Semi-Trailer)
Weight	Artic & Road Train (up to) 60 tonnes NB: 1) Apart from the maximum authorised weight for solo motor vehicles, the maximum authorised weight of a vehicle is determined by the distance between the outermost axles of the vehicle or combined vehicle. On Bk1 roads, limits are applicable according to the distance between the outermost axles of a vehicle or combined vehicle. NB: 2) On Bk1 roads, the above maximum permitted weights on vehicles, trailers and road trains are applicable according to the number of axles. There are also other maximum weights which are subject to the Distance between the outermost axles of the trailer/semi-trailer. For a comprehensive list of weights/dimensions, please download the pdf available at this link

Safety Equipment

It is compulsory to carry the following items of equipment and/or observe specific rules:-

First Aid Kit (advised)
Warning triangle
Spare bulbs
Dipped headlights are compulsory at all times
Seat belts must be worn

Snow Chains

It is not compulsory to carry snow chains on board a vehicle, although it is advised.

Winter Tyres

As of winter 2019-2020, heavy trucks, heavy trailers and heavy semitrailers, have to be equipped with winter tyres on all wheels between 1 December and 31 March when winter conditions prevail (ice, snow, slush or frost on any part of the road). 

The requirement apply to vehicles registered in Sweden or abroad. 

Winter tyres can be studded or non-studded (so called friction tyres). Studded tyres are allowed between October 1st and April 15th. 

Winter tyres used on heavy trucks and on heavy trailers (>3500 kg) shall:

Be marked with the symbol alp peak snowflake (3PMSF) according to UN ECE regulations 117, or
Be marked with Professional Off Road (POR) in accordance with UN ECE regulations 54, or
Be studded

Winter tyres mounted, on axles other than drive axles and front axles on heavy trucks, or on heavy trailers axels, may:

Be especially manufactured for winter road conditions and
Be marked with M + S, MS, M&S, MS, MS or "Mud and Snow" according to UN ECE regulations 30, 54, 108 and 109 and UN GTR 16, and

All tyres, on trucks with a total weight over 3500kg, must have a tyre tread depth of at least 5 millimetres, when it is winter road conditions. Trailers must have a tyre tread depth of at least 1.6 millimetres.

Driver Legal Documents

Full passport required.
International driving licence or normal UK Licence.
Letter from employer giving driver permission to drive vehicle or attestation letter and form.
EU Hours rules apply.

If the UK fully leaves the EU on 31 January 2021, HGV drivers will require travel insurance with healthcare cover

Speed Limits

The following speed limits are applicable in Sweden for all HGV’s over 3.5 tonne GVW:

Built up areas – 50kph
All-purpose roads (single carriageways) – 70kph
Express or Dual Carriageways – 80kph
Motorways - 90kph

Lights

The use of dipped beams or daytime running lights mandatory at all times.