I’m going to admit to doing something wrong. I drove on an American driver’s license in Sweden longer than I should have. Technically you’re only allowed to do that for about a year. I know, I know, I’m an awful person. I justified it by saying that I left to go back to the US enough that it was ok. It probably wasn’t. But I have repented and have not driven in this country for quite some time.

But this isn’t some sort of weird mea culpa. I mean it is, but there’s a point. The point being that there is actually a reason that Sweden wants you to get a Swedish driver’s license. Some signs differ from American ones. Some markings differ. Some units of measurement differ. Most importantly though, some laws differ. One in particular that always threw me off. Turning right on red.

In the US, turning right on red is a wonderful way to keep traffic moving. Maybe even save a little gas by avoiding idling. In fact, UPS saved millions by working out routes in which drivers minimized left turns and maximized right hand turns so they would not sit idly at red lights waiting to turn left. In Sweden though, turning right on red is a wonderful way to break the law. Because it is against the law.

That may change though. The Swedish Minister of Infrastructure Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd recently said “Bilar bör få högersvänga mot rött.” Essentially, cars should be allowed to turn right on red. We’ll see what happens, but in the meantime if you find yourself in Sweden, driving around. Stop at the red light.

And if you find yourself in Sweden for more than a year, be a better citizen than me. Get your Swedish driver’s license. You can learn more about how you do that here (in English) and here (in Swedish).