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Sweden's teens drive Porsches and BMWs, no licence needed
Called an "A-traktor" -- with Swedes often using "EPA" as the older designation -- these cars and trucks have become so popular in recent years that authorities are now concerned about a rise in road accidents.
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Picture taken on February 10, 2023 shows Evelina Christiansen, 15, posing next to a car in Huddinge, Sweden. Too young for a driver's licence at 15, Evelina Christiansen is already cruising in a sleek BMW in Sweden, where teens can drive any car modified to roll no faster than a golf cart. An almost century-old regulation originally applied to agricultural vehicles allows kids 15 and older to drive without a proper driver's licence, providing the vehicle has been altered to have a maximum speed of 30 kilometres per hour (18.6 miles per hour). Called an “A-traktor“ -- with Swedes often using the older designation EPA -- these cars and trucks have become so popular in recent years that authorities are now concerned about a rise in road accidents.
(AFP /Alma Cohen)
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oo young for a driver's licence at 15, Evelina Christiansen is already cruising in a sleek BMW in Sweden, where teens can drive any car modified to roll no faster than a golf cart.
An almost century-old regulation originally applied to agricultural vehicles allows kids 15 and older to drive without a proper driver's licence, as long as the vehicle has been altered to have a maximum speed of 30 kilometres per hour (18.6 miles per hour).
Called an "A-traktor" -- with Swedes often using "EPA" as the older designation -- these cars and trucks have become so popular in recent years that authorities are now concerned about a rise in road accidents.
"I got it a year ago, in April, for my birthday," Evelina tells AFP proudly in front of her dark blue 5-series BMW in the driveway of her family's home in a southern Stockholm suburb.
The gift was a special reward for her achievements in school.
While teenagers elsewhere have to make do with a moped or scooter until they get a driver's licence, young Swedes can use almost any vehicle that has its top speed capped.
In Stockholm's wealthy suburbs, young kids are regularly seen driving Porsche Cayennes on their own.
