Sweden strips almost 40,000 drivers of licences

A total of 38,709 people had their driving licence recalled last year, an increase of 5.8 percent compared to 2023.

The majority had committed a traffic offence. More than 19,000 had committed what's described as a significant traffic offence, according to the Transport Agency, which usually involves speeding. That's 5 percent more than the year before, but fewer than in 2020 and 2021.

The number of serial offenders losing their licence over minor but repeated offences is also increasing, as is the number of people who have their licence recalled due to medical issues. The latter category included 7,173 people last year, most of whom were over the age of 75.

"We are generally getting older in Sweden and it's very possible that could be a contributing factor behind the increase," said the Transport Agency's senior official Åsa Bergqvist in a statement.

DRIVING IN SWEDEN:

• The nine ways you can lose your driving licence in Sweden