No, driving without a shirt in Sweden is not explicitly prohibited by national traffic law, but it may violate broader safety and decency regulations enforced by local authorities under the Trafikförordningen (Traffic Ordinance) and municipal codes. The Swedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen) has not issued a direct ban, yet police and courts interpret such conduct under general traffic safety statutes, particularly when it distracts other road users or violates public order standards.
Key Regulations for Driving Without a Shirt in Sweden
- Traffic Safety Clause (Ch. 2 § 1 Trafikförordningen): Requires drivers to maintain control of vehicles at all times; shirtless driving may be deemed a distraction if it impairs focus or draws undue attention.
- Public Order Provisions (§ 16 Ordningslagen): Municipal police can intervene if shirtless driving constitutes “indecent exposure” or breaches local decency norms, especially in urban areas like Stockholm or Malmö.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: The Transportstyrelsen is reviewing a proposal to explicitly address “distracting attire” in driver conduct guidelines, aligning with EU road safety directives on visibility and professional conduct standards.