What tyre regulations apply in Sweden during the winter?

If you are driving to the ski resort Sälen in Dalarna in winter, Swedish tyre regulations apply throughout your journey in Sweden. The basic principle is simple: during a specified winter period, the vehicle must be fitted with winter tyres when winter road conditions prevail. The regulations are set by the Swedish authorities; they are subject to change, and the exact wording can be found on the Swedish Transport Agency’s website. Always check the current requirements there before you set off.

This article explains how the regulations are structured and what you need to check in practice. We have deliberately omitted any dates, millimetre measurements and fine amounts, as such details are subject to change and an incorrect figure here could prove costly for you. Use this article as a checklist and the Swedish Transport Agency as your source. If you are also planning to park your car for the whole week, it is worth choosing holiday cottages with private parking near the ski lifts, so that the car can stay there until it’s time to go home.

Short answer: winter tyres are required in winter road conditions

The regulatory framework is based on two conditions, both of which must be met:

• The time period. The requirement applies during a specific part of the winter months. The dates are laid down in Swedish law and are available from the Transport Agency.
• Road conditions. This requirement applies in winter road conditions, i.e. when the road surface is affected by snow, ice or similar conditions.

This means that a day of bare road in the middle of the period does not automatically trigger the requirement, but also that the weather can change during a single day’s driving. On the route to Sälenfjällen, this is exactly what happens: you start on bare tarmac and end up on a snow-covered road. You should therefore always assume that the requirement applies, rather than hoping for a break in the weather.

What ”winter road conditions” mean in practice

‘Winter road conditions’ is a Swedish term with no direct equivalent in every country, which is why it causes confusion. It is not about the air temperature or the time of year, but about the condition of the road surface: whether there is snow, ice or similar on the road. The assessment is made on the spot, and it is the police who make the decision during a roadside check.

You should consult the Swedish Transport Agency for the exact definition and the conditions that apply, as the wording is crucial. For you as travellers, the practical conclusion is simple: on the roads leading up to Sälen in Dalarna, winter road conditions prevail for much of the winter, often even when the ground is clear further south on the same day.

Do the rules apply to cars registered abroad?

Assume that Swedish tyre regulations apply to your car, regardless of where it is registered. The fact that the car has German, Dutch, Danish or Norwegian number plates does not automatically mean it is exempt, and the regulations on this point have changed over time.

This is the only thing on the whole journey that could stop you, so check it before you book your ferry and accommodation. There are four things you should find out from the Swedish Transport Agency, and you should have the answers in writing before you set off:

• The period to which the requirement applies for the year in which you are travelling.
• If the requirement applies to your type of vehicle: passenger car, motorhome, light goods vehicle or trailer.
• Which tyres are classified as winter tyres under Swedish regulations, and what markings they must have.
• What is the minimum tread depth required during the winter months?.

A winter tyre that is approved in your home country does not necessarily meet Swedish requirements. Check the markings on the sidewall of the tyre against the Swedish Transport Agency’s specifications, not against the requirements that applied when you bought the tyres.

Studded tyres, friction tyres and snow chains

In Sweden, there are two types of winter tyres. Studded tyres have metal studs and provide the best grip on ice. Friction tyres, sometimes called studless winter tyres, do not have studs and are used by many people who mainly drive on ploughed roads. Both types are used in mountainous areas, and the choice is more a matter of personal preference and the rest of your journey than Sälen specifically.

There are two important things to bear in mind. Studded tyres may only be used during a specific period of the year, and that period is not the same as the period during which winter tyres are compulsory. Furthermore, some countries along your route through Europe have their own rules on studded tyres, and these may differ from the Swedish regulations. You should therefore check the rules for each country you pass through, not just for Sweden.

Snow chains are rarely used on ordinary roads in Sälenfjällen, as the roads are ploughed and gritted. However, it can still be a good idea to carry them if you are driving up a steep access road or along a private road that is not maintained as frequently. Check the regulations regarding the use of snow chains before fitting them.

Caravans, motorhomes and hire cars

If you have a trailer or caravan, separate rules apply to the trailer itself, in addition to the rules for the towing vehicle. The same applies to motorhomes and light goods vehicles. Check your vehicle type separately with the Swedish Transport Agency – do not assume that the information provided for a passenger car automatically applies to the rest of the combination.

If you hire a car in Sweden or a neighbouring country, the hire company is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is equipped in accordance with the law. Nevertheless, ask for written confirmation that the car is authorised to be driven in Sweden during the winter months, particularly if you are collecting the car outside Sweden. It takes a minute at the counter and saves you a discussion later on.

What happens if the tyres don’t meet the required standard

Failure to fit winter tyres may result in a fine, and in serious cases the police may prohibit you from continuing your journey. The amounts and exact consequences are set by the Swedish authorities and are subject to change over time, so we do not list them here – please contact the Swedish Transport Agency or the police if you wish to know the current levels.

The greater risk, however, is not the fine. The wrong tyres on a snow-covered road mean a longer braking distance and poorer handling, and this is most noticeable on downhill slopes and when cornering. You should also check with your insurance company how a claim would be assessed if the vehicle was not legally equipped. It’s worth knowing the answer to this before you set off.

Please check this before you set off

Have the check carried out well in advance, not the evening before. Garages have long queues when winter sets in, and the correct tyre size may need to be ordered.

• Read the current rules from the Transport Agency for the year in which you are travelling.
• Check the tyre markings in accordance with the Swedish requirements.
• Measure the tread depth on all four tyres, not just one.
• Check the spare tyre or puncture repair kit and that the tools are in the car.
• Check the rules in the countries you’ll be travelling through, especially if you’re using studded tyres.
• Packing for cold weather – a blanket, warm clothes, an ice scraper and jumper cables belong in the car. Our Packing list for your winter trip will take care of the rest.

If you’d like to read more about the actual driving – and not just about the equipment – we’ve written about Things to bear in mind when driving to Sälen in winter. Other road traffic rules – speed limits, dipped headlights, alcohol and wildlife – are covered in the article on Traffic rules for foreign motorists in Sweden.

Summary – tyre checklist for the Sälen trip

Swedish tyre regulations are based on two conditions: a specified winter period and actual winter road conditions. Assume that the requirements apply to your car even if it is registered in another country, and check the exact dates, marking requirements and tread depth with the Swedish Transport Agency before booking your trip. Check the studded tyre regulations in every country you pass through, check your trailer separately if you have one, and ask the hire company to confirm this in writing if you’re hiring a car. Once the tyres are in order, the rest of the journey to Sälen via Dalarna is simply a matter of planning – and we’ve covered that part in our guide to the route from Germany.