Key rules, regulations and things to know

Driving: Drive on the right and overtake on the left.

Speed limits: Speed limits range from 110 km/h (65mph) on main highways, 70 km/h (43mph) on smaller roads, and 50 km/h (31mph) in towns and cities

Renting a car: You must be aged 18 or older and hold a valid driver's licence. To hire a car the driver must be at least 20 years old (age may vary by car category small car / large expensive car etc) and the driver has held a licence for two years. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. (as in other countries) Cars rented in Sweden are not allowed into the following countries: Albania, Bosnia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and the Ukraine.

Seat Belts: Seatbelts are mandatory and children up to age 7 must wear an age appropriate restraint. Seat belts are also required in the rear seats.

Drink and Driving: The legal alcohol limit in Sweden is stringent - 0.02 This limit is nearly as low as "Strictly No Alcholol". Alcohol should be avoided completely when driving. Sweden has a very strict law that entitles the Police to give a breath test to a driver, even if there is no reason to suspect that the driver is driving under the influence of alcohol. If the driver does not pass the test this can result in a large fine, a prison sentence or both. The driver will also most likely lose his/her driving licence. Historically Sweden has had strong drink drive laws. More information Here

Mobile Phones: Mobile phones cannot be used while you are driving in Sweden. Don't risk using one as you can receive a heavy fine in most countries and more important cause a serious accident.

Headlights: Dipped headlights must be used 24 hours a day throughout the year. This might seem strange in the summer months when there is not a lot of darkness.

Warning / Emergency Equipment: A warning triangle must be carried and a first aid kit and fire extinguisher are recommended, but at present not compulsory in Sweden, so your hire car might not have all this equipment as standard.

Tolls: There are no toll motorways in Sweden

Speed Cameras: Take care as there are speed cameras in Sweden.

Emergencies: For emergency car repairs call the "Assistancekåren" service, toll-free within Sweden, Tel 020 912 912 (number available within Sweden only).

Congestion Charge: There is a congestion operating in Stockholm at certain times and you should be able to find out more via your car rental company and how to pay it whilst you have a car on hire.

Wild Animals: Always be on the lookout for animals straying onto the roads particularly in forest areas.

Winter Tyre Requirement: For Swedish registered vehicles, this is mandatory between 1st December and 31st March. Your hire car should be suitable equipped, but check with the car rental company when you collect the vehicle. There are studded tyres which are good for ice and packed snow, but are very noisy and can drag on a clear road. There are also stud free variety of snow tyre that are made of a very soft rubber. These will only last around three years and like the stiffed tyre will drag on a clear road. Due to the country's northerly climate, it is wise to have some experience in driving on ice and snow before driving on Sweden's winter roads, especially in a rental car.

Disabled Parking: The Blue Badge is recognised in all European countries - More information Here

Motormannens Riksforbund - (M) - To enter the site, click on the image above left

Visit Sweden - Sweden's official website for tourism and travel information

Capital: Stockholm

Telephone Country Code: +46

Questor Insurance's Travel postcard Guide to Sweden Here

Emergency Telephone number: pan-EU Emergency 112 Can be used in all EU Countries and it can be dialled from a locked mobile or a mobile with no sim card. We have driving guides for those countries marked in red below (plus other non EU member European countries).

Austria - Belgium - Bulgaria - Cyprus - Czech Republic - Denmark - Estonia - Finland - France - Germany - Greece - Hungary - Ireland - Italy - Latvia - Lithuania - Luxembourg - Malta- Netherlands - Poland - Portugal - Romania - Slovakia - Slovenia - Spain - Sweden

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Drink Drive Laws - Examples of what can be drunk at present

It is not a lot and in some countries even to drink the glass on the right would be breaking the law if you drove afterwards in others a sip would be too much see "Wine" below

"Wine - even a sip will send you over the limit and invalidate your insurance in Parkistan, Cuba, Indonesia, Romania, Jordan and Nigeria, according to Rhinocarhire.com which produces a comprehensive guide." The A to Z of car hire - The Independent - August 2010

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