The government plans to remove the mandatory introductory course for private driving practice, which has been required since 2006. The Riksdag voted through the law change on Wednesday, according to multiple media reports. The course has not had the intended effect of improving the planning, structure, and content of private driving practice, the Riksdag stated.
The removal is based on a Transportstyrelsen report showing the course had little or no effect on the extent and structure of private driving practice, Infrastructure and Housing Minister Andreas Carlsson (M) said. The government argued that the course requirement was a threshold that limited the ability to easily practice with multiple different supervisors. Minister Carlsson said the removal is about removing a threshold and enabling more practice, allowing more people to be supervisors. The introductory course was originally introduced to enhance traffic safety during private practice driving.
The removal feels like vote-seeking.
The proposal has drawn criticism from traffic safety organization NTF and driving schools, according to multiple media reports. According to SVT Nyheter, Jonas Nilsson, owner of Tingvalla driving school, described the removal as feeling like vote-seeking. According to SVT Nyheter, Anders Kalborg, head of NTF Värmland, described the problem as supervisors getting no guidance when they go out to practice drive, often with their own children. According to Nerikes Allehanda, critics described the decision as 'completely idiotic'.
Jonas Nilsson claims his driving school would lose between 300,000 and 700,000 SEK if the introductory course is removed, according to SVT Nyheter. NTF Värmland also runs a driving school and would lose revenue, but they say traffic safety is the main concern, according to multiple media reports. The financial impact on driving schools across Sweden remains unclear.
The problem is that supervisors get no guidance when they go out to practice drive, often with their own children.
The current introductory course is at least 3 hours long and costs around 350 kr per person, according to research. The course is taken in groups of up to 30 people and covers basic knowledge, useful tips, and helps set up a structured approach to private training. It aims to provide knowledge on driver education, planning practice sessions, and traffic safety and environmental factors. The supervisor does not need to repeat the course with each student; since 2010 there is no requirement for supervisor and student to take the course together. The student must be at least 15 years and 9 months old, and a supervisor is allowed a maximum of 5 students at a time. The course must be completed before submitting the supervision application, but can be taken without a driver's permit.
The legislative process involves referral to the Council on Law (Lagrådet), government adjustment, and Riksdag debate and vote, according to research. The proposal to remove the mandatory introduction course has been referred to Lagrådet. The exact effective date of the abolition is uncertain: major media sources report the law change takes effect on August 1, 2024, while research sources state the abolition will come into force on 1 August 2026. This discrepancy could affect planning for driving schools and students.
To practice driving, one must first obtain a körkortstillstånd (driver's permit), according to research. Driving instructors must be approved by Transportstyrelsen and meet specific requirements including age 21, valid license for at least 3 of last 10 years, and polytechnic training. The education for driving instructors is a polytechnic degree of 300 credits.
The long-term impact on traffic safety statistics is unknown, as is whether any alternative measures will be introduced to replace the guidance provided by the introductory course. The specific evidence from the Transportstyrelsen report that showed the course had little effect has not been publicly detailed.