Sweden revokes 107 personal watercraft permits since 2022

Sweden has revoked 107 personal watercraft driving permits since a mandatory licensing requirement was introduced in May 2022, SVT reports, citing figures from the Swedish Transport Agency.

A total of 124,716 permits had been issued by 13 July 2026. Most were issued in 2022 and 2023, when people with previous nautical qualifications could apply under transitional rules without taking the specific personal watercraft course.

Since the transition period ended, everyone who wants to operate a personal watercraft must complete mandatory training, be over 15 and carry their permit while on the water. Checks are conducted by the Swedish Sea Police and the Swedish Coast Guard.

The revocations included 25 decisions in 2022, 24 in 2023, 35 in 2024 and 23 in 2025. By 20 July 2026, the Transport Agency had received 12 additional revocation cases, many of which were still being processed and had not yet resulted in decisions.

Agnes Andersson, technical director at the Swedish Coast Guard, said there had previously been some reckless driving but that the situation had become calmer. Fewer people now rent out personal watercraft because users are required to have a permit, she said.

According to Andersson, permits can be revoked indefinitely when someone commits an offence under maritime law. She said the requirement had helped improve safety, with people generally following the rules and carrying their permits.

Stockholm County has the largest number of permits, with 39,586, followed by Västra Götaland County with 22,560. Women account for 21 per cent of permit holders nationwide, while the highest proportion is in Norrbotten and Västerbotten, where women hold 26 per cent of permits. The average permit holder is 43 years old.