Who is allowed to drive a snowmobile?
In order to drive a snowmobile in Sweden, it is required that you be 16 years old and have a driving license for off-road vehicles. Snowmobiles may also be driven by those who have a Swedish driving license or tractor license issued before Jan. 1, 2000. Those who have had their driving or tractor license recalled after Jan. 1, 2000 must have a driving license in order to drive a snowmobile. You can also drive without a driving license if you are part of a group within the tourist industry with no more than 10 people who have driving licenses or tractor licenses and that is led by a person with a driving license for off-road vehicles along a route that has been determined by the leaders before the trip.
As a foreign driver (within EES*), you have the right to drive a snowmobile in Sweden if you have that right in your homeland. If you can not demonstrate this or if you come from a country outside EES, your only option is to be included in a group within the tourist industry or to possess a Swedish driving license. *EES-countries are member countries of the European Union as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
As a foreign driver (within EES*), you have the right to drive a snowmobile in Sweden if you have that right in your homeland. If you can not demonstrate this or if you come from a country outside EES, your only option is to be included in a group within the tourist industry or to possess a Swedish driving license. *EES-countries are member countries of the European Union as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Where are you allowed to drive a snowmobile?
Driving a snowmobile in snow-covered terrain is essentially allowed, but there are certain restrictions:
- It is forbidden to drive in woodlands or on agricultural land if it is not apparent that this can be done without risk of damaging the woods or the land. It is generally forbidden to drive in forest plantings or in young forests with a height of less than two meters over the snow cover. You are personally responsible for ascertaining that there is no risk of damage.
- In the mountains there are a number of so-called ”regulated areas”. In some of these areas there are public snowmobile trails. There driving can take place only on the trails. In other regulated areas a total prohibition of snowmobile applies to the public. See the map of regulated areas.
- The county administrative board or municipality can issue bans on driving snowmobiles in other areas in view of outdoor life, reindeer husbandry, animal life, conservation or other factors.
- In national parks and nature reserves special regulations apply. In certain parks and reserves it is forbidden to operate motor vehicles. In the regulations for the protected area you can see if it is forbidden.
- Public snowmobiling is forbidden in a ski facility’s slopes or adjacent to them. The area is to be regarded as a ski area, and when the facility is closed, it is to be regarded as a work area where no one else is allowed to be present. Only the ski facility’s snowmobiles are allowed in the ski area.
Driving on public and private roads
It is not permissible to drive on a public road unless you are crossing the road or driving the shortest possible distance because the terrain is impassable. When you must drive your snowmobile on the road, the highest speed permitted is 20 km/hr.
When you pass a road, all passengers (in a sled or on the snowmobile) must walk across the road.
On private roads snowmobiling can be forbidden. The road’s owner determines if motor vehicle traffic is allowed. Prohibition should be posted with signs or ”in another clear manner” (such as a barrier across the road or a homemade sign).
When you pass a road, all passengers (in a sled or on the snowmobile) must walk across the road.
On private roads snowmobiling can be forbidden. The road’s owner determines if motor vehicle traffic is allowed. Prohibition should be posted with signs or ”in another clear manner” (such as a barrier across the road or a homemade sign).
How fast are you allowed to drive?
The highest permitted speed for a snowmobile is 70 km/hr. In certain places there are lower local speed limits.
Reindeer and snowmobile traffic.
When you drive a snowmobile, you may come close to reindeer. They roam freely in herds or smaller groups. The reindeer are not wild but have owners. It is very easy to scatter a reindeer herd with a snowmobile, but it is a difficult and time-consuming task to round up the herd again. Respect the Sami’s work and the reindeer’s health! Here are some tips and facts about reindeer that are important for you, as a snowmobile driver, to know:
Reindeer need to be protected by temporary snowmobile prohibitions for several reasons:
Do as follows when you approach a reindeer herd:
Reindeer need to be protected by temporary snowmobile prohibitions for several reasons:
- So that reindeer cows (vajor) have calm grazing conditions before and after calving, which occurs at the end of April/end of May.
- So that the reindeer will not be scattered in connection with the spring movement up to the mountains.
- Because the reindeer (due to poor winter grazing conditions, for example) can be in poor condition.
- So that the reindeer can graze in peace in winter grazing land in wooded areas.
Do as follows when you approach a reindeer herd:
- Slow down or stop. Usually the reindeer then move off the snowmobile track, especially if there are reindeer tracks on the side. Drive by quietly.
- If they do not move off the track, it can be because they feel stressed or they are not able to find any suitable place to go. Stop, turn off the motor and wait awhile.
- If the reindeer do not move off the track. Drive slowly behind them or turn around. If you come to an opening in the woods, a bog or something similar. Stop the snowmobiles. One of the snowmobiles drives slowly on a detour around the reindeer and takes a position on the trail a bit further ahead, which usually causes the reindeer to move off the track. Wait until all of the reindeer have left the track; they follow one another.
- If there are black plastic bags set up by the snowmobile track, it means that there are reindeer in the area. Drive especially quietly there!
Stay on snowmobile trails!
On snowmobile trails you drive with the greatest safety and least disruption. Like other mountain trails, snowmobile trails in the mountains are marked with trail crossings. They are also marked with signposts or symbols that show what rules apply on the trail. Certain trails can also be in common with ski trails. Drive slowly and maintain adequate leeway when you pass skiers. You always are obligated to yield to skiers and people who are walking, even on snowmobile trails. Public snowmobile trails are noted on the mountain map.
