From December 1 the car must be equipped with winter tires as long as there are winter road conditions. This requirement applies until April 15.
However, there are many ordinary cars that do not have to comply with the requirement for winter tires at all.
The cars that don’t need winter tires
The cars in question are those which, according to the road traffic register, are 30 years old or older, and are thus classified as vintage cars.
Vintage cars do not have to pay road tax, and only have to be inspected every two years. And they therefore do not need to be equipped with winter tires either.
We often think of vintage cars as reworked treasures from the 60s and 70s, which few owners want to expose to winter’s moisture and salt. With carburettors, poor weather protection and questionable heaters, they are often not very enjoyable everyday winter cars either.
The second-generation Saab 900 has turned 30 – Photo: SaabCommon cars that don’t need winter tires
By now, however, the early 90s cars have reached veteran status, and many of these are perfectly serviceable as everyday cars all year round – as long as they’re in good condition.
This means that big sellers such as the Volvo 850 and the second generation Saab 900 from model year 1994 and older are fully legal to drive on summer tires all year round.
However, driving on summer tires all year round is far from optimal, and can also be directly dangerous.
DON’T MISS:
Adversity continues for important industries
Soon all driving licenses in Sweden can be replaced
Other exceptions to the requirement for winter tires
There are more exceptions to the requirement for winter tires, according to the Swedish Transport Agency’s website. However, the requirement is that the vehicles can be driven without endangering traffic safety.
There is no requirement for winter tires when towing in connection with repairs or a similar purpose. The same applies when traveling to the nearest inspection company, if you choose the shortest suitable route.
The winter tire requirement also does not apply to those who drive with a commercial vehicle licence, as long as they drive the shortest suitable route from a factory, port, workshop, railway station, storage room or similar place, premises or garage. But a sales cart license allows you to drive without winter tires during sales or demonstrations.
A car with rims of 10 inches or less does not need winter tires either.
Vehicles used by the defense, as well as heavy trucks used for construction work or the like, are also exempt from the requirement.
DON’T MISS:
Then you risk a fine – even with a P-plate
15,000 illegal vehicles stopped on Swedish roads – this year alone