Sweden for Korean Drivers 2026: Translation, 0.02%, Moose

Coming from South Korea, Sweden will feel reassuringly familiar in one big way and stricter in two others. You stay on the right, just like at home, so the hardest part of many European trips simply does not apply here. What you do need to get right is the documentation and a couple of local rules.

Driving on a South Korean licence

The Swedish Transport Agency’s rule is about whether the licence can be read and follows the convention format. A non-EEA licence that is not made out in English, German or French and not designed to the international conventions is valid only with a certified translation into English, German, French, Swedish, Danish or Norwegian. A standard Korean licence is in Hangul, so it needs a companion document.

South Korea and Sweden are both parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention, and Korea issues its International Driving Permit on that model; that permit is the usual answer. Apply for it in Korea before departure — it is not available in Sweden — and carry the IDP, your original licence and your passport together, since the permit is not a standalone document. A certified translation from an authorised translator works instead.

No side switch — but a tighter alcohol limit

South Korea and Sweden both drive on the right, so there is no left-hand relearning. The catch is alcohol. Sweden’s limit is 0.02%, below the 0.03% you know at home, and breath testing is a normal part of Swedish policing. Treat it as zero drinks before driving.

Moose are a real hazard, not scenery

Wildlife collisions are common in Sweden, especially at night. The warning triangles with an animal silhouette mark actual crossing zones, and a collision with a moose is a major crash because of the animal’s size and height. On forest-lined and rural roads, ease off and scan the verges, particularly in low light.

Speeds and winter

Limits run 50 km/h in towns and mostly 110 on motorways, with 120 on some stretches; cameras are common. From 1 December to 31 March, cars must have winter tyres when winter road conditions apply. The all-purpose emergency number is 112.

Read the detail on our Sweden driving guide, verify your paperwork with the Driving Permit Checker, and estimate a fine with the Speeding Fine Calculator.

Sources

• Swedish Transport Agency, driving licences issued outside the EEA (certified translation; accepted languages): transportstyrelsen.se
• Global Affairs Canada, Sweden travel advice (winter tyres 1 December-31 March; wildlife collisions): travel.gc.ca
• WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Sweden profile (0.02 g/dl; 50 km/h urban, 120 km/h motorway maximum) and Republic of Korea profile (0.03 g/dl): who.int, who.int
• UN Treaty Collection, 1949 Convention on Road Traffic (Republic of Korea and Sweden parties): treaties.un.org