Sweden: no nationwide truck driving ban. Local and route restrictions may still apply, see below.
Sweden has no nationwide Sunday or public holiday driving ban for trucks. Heavy goods vehicles may operate on every day of the year. The restrictions that do apply are weight based: the bearing class (barighetsklass, BK) of each road sets the maximum gross weight, and vulnerable roads can carry temporary spring thaw (tjallossning) limits of 12, 8 or 4 tonnes. Winter tyres are mandatory on heavy vehicles from 10 November to 10 April.
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Sweden: no scheduled nationwide driving bans. Local and city restrictions are described below.
Public holidays with truck bans — Sweden 2026
| Date | Holiday | Ban time | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Epiphany | No general ban applies | ||
| Good Friday | No general ban applies | ||
| Easter Sunday | No general ban applies | ||
| Easter Monday | No general ban applies | ||
| May Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Ascension Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Whit Sunday | No general ban applies | ||
| National Day of Sweden | No general ban applies | ||
| Midsummer Day | No general ban applies | ||
| All Saints' Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Christmas Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Second Day of Christmas | No general ban applies |
Spring thaw weight restriction (tjallossning)
Spring, dates vary by region and year
During the worst frost thaw period Trafikverket may temporarily lower the bearing capacity of vulnerable roads. The maximum permitted gross weight or axle weight for motor vehicles is then cut to 12, 8 or 4 tonnes. Restrictions are decided together with the road maintenance contractor and are shown on Trafikverket's traffic information map. They mainly affect lower class roads.
Road bearing classes (BK)
Sweden manages truck weights through the bearing class system (barighetsklass) rather than a calendar ban. Trafikverket assigns each road and bridge a class that caps the gross weight it may carry. BK1 permits up to 64 tonnes and covers most of the public road network, BK2 up to 51.4 tonnes, and BK3 up to 37.5 tonnes. BK4, introduced to open the network to 74 tonne vehicles, permits up to 74 tonnes but sets extra requirements on the vehicle, such as driven axles with dual mounted wheels and air or equivalent suspension for heavier combinations. Unless signed otherwise a general road belongs to BK1. The weight allowed on any route also depends on the distance between the axles, so operators check the class and the gross weight tables before planning a heavy load.
Winter driving requirements
Heavy vehicles with a gross weight over 3.5 tonnes must be fitted with winter tyres or equivalent equipment from 10 November to 10 April, and this applies whatever the weather. The requirement covers all tyres of the combination, including the trailer. Tyres on the towing vehicle's front and drive axles must carry the Alpine three peak mountain and snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, be marked POR, or be studded; M+S marked tyres are not accepted on those axles. During wintry road conditions the tread depth on a heavy vehicle must be at least 5 mm. The rules apply to foreign registered lorries and buses in the same way as to Swedish vehicles.
FAQ
Are trucks banned on Sundays in Sweden?
No. Sweden has no nationwide Sunday driving ban for trucks. Heavy goods vehicles may drive on every day of the week.
Do public holidays stop truck traffic in Sweden?
No. There is no nationwide public holiday driving ban. Trucks may operate on all Swedish public holidays, including New Year's Day, Easter and Christmas.
What is the BK road class system in Sweden?
Every road has a bearing class (barighetsklass) that sets the maximum gross weight. BK1 allows up to 64 tonnes, BK2 up to 51.4 tonnes, BK3 up to 37.5 tonnes, and BK4 up to 74 tonnes. Unless stated otherwise a general road belongs to BK1. The weight actually allowed also depends on the spacing between the axles.
Do trucks need winter tyres in Sweden?
Yes. Heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must run winter tyres from 10 November to 10 April, regardless of the weather. The requirement covers all axles of the combination, including the trailer. Tyres on the towing vehicle's front and drive axles must carry the Alpine (3PMSF) symbol, be POR marked or be studded, and tread depth must be at least 5 mm during wintry road conditions.
What weight limits apply during the spring thaw?
During the tjallossning period Trafikverket can cut the maximum gross or axle weight on affected roads to 12, 8 or 4 tonnes to protect the road structure. The roads under restriction are published on Trafikverket's traffic information map.
Official source
- Transportstyrelsen (Swedish Transport Agency) - Winter tyres
- Transportstyrelsen - Barighetsklasser (bearing classes)
- Trafikverket (Swedish Transport Administration) - BK, barighetsklasser pa vagar och broar
- Trafikverket - Tjallossning, tjalskador och potthal
Rules can change on short notice. Verify with the official sources above before dispatch.