Sweden enforces speed limits with a sliding scale of penalties that escalate sharply with excess speed. Understanding the consequences reinforces why speed compliance is not optional.
Day-Fines (Dagsböter)
Speeding penalties in Sweden are calculated as day-fines — a number of fine units multiplied by your daily income. This makes penalties proportionally equal regardless of wealth. Minor excess speeds attract a fixed penalty notice (ordningsbot) for small overages, while larger overages and aggravated offences go to court where day-fines apply.
Speed Thresholds
Exceeding the limit by 1–10 km/h: fixed fine, no licence points. Exceeding by 11–30 km/h: higher fixed fine. Exceeding by 31+ km/h: risk of licence suspension. Exceeding by 51+ km/h or causing injury: criminal charge, possible licence revocation, and in serious cases, a driving ban of up to five years.
Licence Suspension
A driving licence suspension (återkallelse) means you cannot drive legally. New drivers (within the probationary period) face licence revocation for lower excess speeds than experienced drivers.
Exam tip: Sweden does not use a penalty points system on the licence in the same way as some countries. Instead, the Transport Agency can revoke a licence based on a pattern of offences or a single serious violation.