Järfälla - failure in unusual situation
I’m posting this as an example for others who may experience a similar situation during their driving test to learn from my mistake.
I have held a driving licence for 17 years in my home country. While that licence is not recognised here, it still represents many years and thousands of hours of driving experience in complex traffic situations safely where defensive driving is prioritised assuming others are unpredictable to avoid worst case scenarios.
To prepare for the Swedish driving test, I completed a reasonable amount of driving practice with a local driving school to adapt to Swedish traffic rules and expectations. Both my instructor and I felt I was ready for the exam. I did not go into the test unprepared.
Overall, the exam went well and covered the usual things you would expect during a driving test. The issue happened right at the end in an unusual scenario.
After a small roundabout, there was an elderly man attempting to cross the road near roadworks. It was not a normal pedestrian crossing. His path was blocked by fencing, which he had moved around, and he was stepping into the road and seemed visibly confused. He should not have been crossing the road here. I felt it was not safe to continue past him and came to a stop to allow him to cross safely.
The examiner later explained that I should not have stopped in that situation, as it unnecessarily obstructed traffic behind me. The expectation was that I should acknowledge the pedestrian, trust that he would not step in front of me, and continue driving instead of stopping completely. My ”courtesy” to a vulnerable pedestrian created a bigger risk behind me.
For context, traffic was already moving slowly because of the roadworks, and once he had crossed the road there were only 3 cars behind me. I had also checked my mirrors before stopping to make sure it would not create an unsafe situation.
What is considered safe where I am from is considered overly cautious here and I slipped into a learned habit when confronted with an unusual situation.
I will take it as a learning experience for my next test. I’m sharing it because it may help someone else understand what examiners are looking for in similar cases.
That was a tough one. Feel sorry for you.
Stay prepared to stop and eventually slow down enough to be able to stop if the man steps out on the road. But never HELP anyone cross the road like that. If it is two lanes in your direction then a car in the other lane might not see him and an accident happens.
If you didn’t stop, then he would have told you, why didn’t you stop there. It was dangerous to drive while someone trying yo cross. Are you an immigrant?
Sweden is very pedantic when it comes to giving out licenses, its a source of pride for them unfortunately. Don’t give up. My best advice is to hire a driving school that covers the area where the test will take place, they will show you exactly what you need to do and which traps to avoid. Good Luck.
Joel 2026-05-15Sweden is very pedantic when it comes to giving out licenses, its a source of pride for them unfortunately. Don’t give up. My best advice is to hire a driving school that covers the area where the test will take place, they will show you exactly what you need to do and which traps to avoid. Good Luck.
Yes, and also, Sweden has the least road deaths in the world, unfortunately.
As I did my driving assessments from 3 different driving schools and for 80-mins each with 47 hrs of driving practice. And all of them said no mistakes and I am ready for test. I have also tested my driving in Denmark and driving school is impressed with my skills. All theory cleared in single attempt
Attempted 4 tests and got failed with the below justification-
1. Blackening and Unprotected road user safety
2. Anticipation
3. Lane change and Lane management
I questioned to them on both the consequences, If on 40KM/h road I am driving at 32-36 just be sure that no pedestrian can suddenly jump on the road, isn’t that safety consideration, as you are failing me for driving slow.
And for second consequence when I was merging to motorway, I merged and analyzed the situation because there was a long vehicle just behind me and than overtake another vehicle in front, examiner gave me reason that I should have overtaken when I merged, and failed.
My theory validity expired for 2 times, I will be waiting to pass my theory for 3rd time now, invested more than 55K SEK. At this point we cannot step back, which driving schools knows well.
And the only reason is because we are foreigners and nobody respect your hard earned TAXED money that we are investing for our family and needs for commute and transportation.
I have also reported this to Embassy and will be publishing this as an article, Sweden don’t deserve to be part of Scandinavia culture, there is lot of improvement needed to treat equality and integrity (I am sorry to say this).
If you stop for unprotected road user, they will fail you because you blocked the traffic. If you don’t stop they will fail you for not stopping. If you drive 40 on residential 40 limit road they will fail you for not considering risky users, If you drive slow they will fail you for blocking.
If small mistakes are considerable than what are those small mistakes that can be considered. We are paying taxes here, not surviving on social system, than why we are treated with such way.
Guest 2026-05-15Yes, and also, Sweden has the least road deaths in the world, unfortunately.
Jojo när alla vägar blir 30 och ingen får körkort då får vi noll visionen
That´s absourd, What does the law say ? We chall show remorese and special procation for Elderly and disabled people!! You did greate in stoping!!! You inspector did cleary not know The law! soo sad, allot´s of them ar young and judemental, sadley