For people who move to Malmö from abroad, the Swedish licence process holds one reassuring detail: you do not have to sit the theory test in Swedish. Trafikverket, the state agency that runs the official exams, offers the category B knowledge test (kunskapsprov) in English and a range of other languages. Knowing exactly how that works, and where the limits are, saves both money and a wasted trip to the test centre.
Which languages the theory test is offered in
The category B theory test is available in 15 languages. Alongside Swedish, Trafikverket lists Albanian, Arabic (MSA), BKS, English (British English), Finnish, French, German, Persian (Farsi), Russian, Somali, Sorani, Spanish, Thai, Tigrinya and Turkish.
English here means British English, which matters mainly for spelling and a handful of road-terminology choices. You select the language when you book the test, not on the day. One useful safety net: during the test itself you can switch the language to Swedish if you prefer, so a term that reads oddly in translation can be checked against the original.
The format: questions, pass mark and time
The test is taken on a computer at a Trafikverket test centre and follows the same structure regardless of language. It consists of 70 multiple-choice questions, each with one correct answer. To pass, you must answer 52 of them correctly. You are given 50 minutes to complete the paper.
The questions cover the full breadth of the syllabus: traffic rules, road signs, hazard awareness, vehicle knowledge, environmental driving and the human factors behind road safety. A translated test does not mean an easier test. The content is identical to the Swedish version, so the same preparation is expected.
Audio and reading support
At each computer station there are headphones and a calculator, and you can choose to have the questions read aloud in Swedish. Read-aloud audio in another language, an oral test where an examiner reads the questions to you, or a test with an interpreter, is handled separately as a test “with support”. These options are intended for people with a documented need, such as reading difficulties, dyslexia, ADHD, autism or a language disorder, and you must attach a certificate of that need when you apply. Trafikverket says it aims to give a decision within about four weeks, so this route needs to be started well ahead of the date you have in mind. For most English-speaking candidates, the standard translated test on screen is the relevant option.
How to book and what to bring
You book and pay for the theory test through Trafikverket’s own online booking service, choosing your language, test centre and time slot in the same step. Payment is taken at the point of booking. In the Malmö area, tests are held at Trafikverket’s local centres, and slots for popular evening times can fill up, so booking early gives you a wider choice.
On the day, you must bring valid identification. If you do not hold valid Swedish ID, you can arrange for someone to certify your identity in advance rather than being turned away at the desk. Arrive in good time; latecomers are generally not admitted, and the fee is charged per attempt.
What it costs
The theory test for category B costs 420 SEK when taken during the daytime, and 520 SEK for slots after 6 pm and at weekends. The fee is paid for each attempt, so a retake costs the same amount again. Photography for the licence is a separate charge. These are national prices set by Trafikverket and do not vary between Malmö and the rest of the country.
How long a pass stays valid
A passed theory test does not last indefinitely. Its validity depends on the test date. For tests taken before 19 August 2026, a pass is valid for four months, within which you must also pass the practical driving test. From that date onward, a pass is valid for one year. Because the theory and practical tests are linked in this way, it is worth timing the theory test so that your practical test can realistically fall inside the validity window.
Common pitfalls
- Leaving the language choice too late. The language is fixed at booking. The only change available during the test itself is switching to Swedish, so a wrong language choice made at booking cannot be turned into English afterwards.
- Assuming audio comes in English by default. The free read-aloud audio is in Swedish; other-language audio and interpreter tests require a documented-need application.
- Booking the practical test too far apart from the theory test. Both must be passed inside the validity window, or you risk paying for the theory test again.
- Under-preparing because the test is in your own language. The pass mark of 52 out of 70 leaves little room for guesswork.
The theory test is only one step, but it is the one where language most often trips people up, and it is the easiest to get right with a little planning. Once you have chosen a driving school in Malmö and started your lessons, book the English-language theory test early, prepare against the full Swedish syllabus, and keep the four-month or one-year validity window in view so the practical test follows without a costly repeat.
Always confirm current fees, languages and rules on Trafikverket’s own site before you book, as figures and dates can change.
Senast faktagranskad: 16 juli 2026
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