Timbro wants to make it easier and cheaper to own a car in Sweden

Published 2026-11-04

The politically independent think tank Timbro has examined many rules on traffic and car ownership in Sweden. The aim is to investigate which rules make it difficult or expensive to own a car. The results were published at the beginning of the year and have sparked debate about how driving can be made easier.

Part of the review concerns the so-called 3–2–14 system, which has been in force in Sweden since 2018. The system is part of the Swedish regulatory framework surrounding driving licences and traffic. Timbro argues that many rules are complicated and that they increase costs for car owners. For many households, the car is important for getting to work, school and shops, particularly in rural areas, where public transport is often sparser.

Timbro therefore proposes that the rules be simplified and that the costs of owning and using a car be reduced. The organisation considers that more rules do not always lead to better road safety and that some of them could be removed without affecting safety. However, there are differing views on this. Many experts and politicians stress that road safety must be the most important goal when rules are changed.

The question is topical because the car is central to many Swedes' everyday lives and finances. If the proposals are implemented, they could matter both for car owners and for future traffic policy. It remains to be seen whether any of Timbro's proposals will lead to concrete changes.

Sources: Altinget.se

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