News · Transport · Published 11 July 2026
Professional driver training to add e-learning and advanced simulators
New Swedish rules taking effect on 1 September will modernise training for professional drivers and require some providers to update or amend their permits.
DailySweden Editorial Desk
Updated 00:37 · 3 min read
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Training for Sweden's professional drivers will be modernised from 1 September 2026, with new rules allowing self-directed e-learning and advanced simulators to replace some parts of practical driving instruction.
The Swedish Transport Agency says the changes follow amendments made by the government in January to the regulation on professional driver competence. The reform introduces new ways to deliver teaching and updates the detailed requirements for training providers.
Two forms of remote learning are now defined separately. Teacher-led lessons delivered through digital meeting platforms will be classed as remote teaching. Non-teacher-led study will be classed as distance education, or e-learning.
New Swedish rules taking effect on 1 September will modernise training for professional drivers and require some providers to update or amend their permits.
Advanced simulators will also be permitted as a substitute for certain parts of the driving practice included in basic training. The agency's new regulation, TSFS 2026:71, specifies the subject areas in which driving practice must be included, the subjects that may use simulator-based practical training, and the areas that still require practical components.
Transport essentials
The regulation also sets out what information must appear on a certificate showing that a driver has completed continuing training.
Training providers that already hold permission to offer professional driver competence courses may need to update their existing plans and notify the Transport Agency. The agency says that notification is free.
What happens now
Providers that want to introduce teacher-led remote lessons, e-learning or an advanced simulator must instead apply to amend their current permit. That application carries a fee.
For applications involving e-learning, the authority will request the course material. It says the review will examine how participants are identified, how long the distance course takes to complete, and whether the content provides adequate training.
The distinction matters because the reform does not simply allow providers to move existing courses online without oversight. Different teaching methods have different approval requirements, and simulator use is limited to the subjects covered by the new rules.
For drivers, the changes could make some elements of training more flexible while preserving requirements for practical instruction. For schools and course organisers, the immediate task is to review plans and decide whether a notification is sufficient or a paid permit amendment is needed.
The new provisions enter into force on 1 September. Providers planning to use the additional teaching formats will need to have the relevant documentation and applications in place with the Transport Agency.
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