Norwegian Road Rules You Must Know Before You Drive
I love driving in Norway. The Hidden North actually started because I wanted to post somewhere how much I love driving. What’s so great about driving in Norway is just how spectacular the scenery is. Everywhere you go, it feels totally different. On top of that, Norway’s roads are well-maintained and attractions are well-signed, making it a great way to see the country.
However, Norway’s road rules can seem a little challenging for first-timers to the country. At the moment Norway is having a huge tourism boom (which is great!) and many people hire a car or bring their caravan without truly understanding how driving here works. Because of that, there’s an increased problem with road accidents, slow drivers delaying traffic, or dangerous situations which can be avoided.
Because of this, I’ve made an easy to follow guide on what I believe to be the most important road rules in Norway. I’ve also included resources with more information in case you need additional learnings.
Any questions, please post in the comments! Be sure to view all the road-trip guides I have for Norway.
Table of Contents
Statens Vegvesen
Statens Vegvesen (the Norwegian Public Roads Administration) is responsible for most aspects of driving in Norway. They have a detailed guide to driving in Norway, which I recommend you read.
Click here to read their road rules (in English).
Wikipedia has a fantastic overview of all the road signs in Norway. View it here.
Laws & Regulations
Drivers Licences
Whether or not your driving licence is valid depends on the country you come from. If you are from the EU or European Economic Area, there is a mutual agreement meaning that if you have a valid driving licence from an EU/EEA nation, you can legally drive in Norway.
For others, a foreign-issued driving licence is valid for up to three months, as long as the licence remains valid in the issuing country. This is not the case for those moving to Norway; just tourists.
Basically, if your drivers licence is in Latin, you do not need an International Driving Licence. You need one if your licence is in another language that doesn’t use Latin (such as Arabic) or if your licence doesn’t have a photo.
Mobile Phones
Talking on mobile phones is prohibited.
Drinking & Driving
Drinking and driving is punished with severe penalties. The legal limit is 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (or 0.02%). This is very low, so the general rule of thumb is to not drink any alcohol whatsoever if you will be driving.
Car Requirements
Lights
You must use low-beam headlights at all times in Norway. Most rental cars will do this automatically.
Tyres
Norway has rules for summer and winter tyres, but the rental company is responsible for having the correct tyres on. Nothing for you to worry about!
Do not put chains on tyres. Trucks and heavy vehicles use chains in exceptional circumstances, but not passenger vehicles.
Parking Regulations
It’s common to have to pay for parking on streets in major cities. Shopping malls often have paid parking but maybe the first two hours are free.
Everything is becoming digital, and the same goes for parking. You have to download an app to pay for parking. The most common app in Norway is EasyPark, but there are several apps for paying for parking, so check when you get to the parking area.
There are fines for parking violations and they can be over 700 NOK.
The street sign of the red cross on a blue background means no stopping, while the street sign with the red diagonal line on a blue background means no parking. This applies until the next crossing road or until another sign ends it.
Speed Limits & Speeding
In Norway, speed signs are posted everywhere and the speeds here are generally lower than other countries.
Highways are often 80km/h, especially in Western Norway. Around Oslo and in Northern Norway, dual carriageways and motorways will be 90 or 100km/h. Residential neighbourhoods may be as low as 30km/h and have lots of speed bumps, while commercial and urban areas are around 50km/h.
Norwegians are very serious about speeding and for speeding or traffic violations, you may pay between 600 NOK and 7800 NOK. This includes speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone, etc.
When you enter a town, you’ll see the speed limit for that town. When you leave the town, you’ll see a sign with the speed limit crossed out. This basically means “end of speed limit, new limit is up to 80km/h depending on conditions”. This means that you don’t have to drive 80km/h if it isn’t safe; just anything up to 80km/h.
Toll Roads/AutoPASS/Paying for Ferries
When you pick up your rental car, it’ll have an AutoPASS device in it. This means you pass through toll cameras without stopping, and this will be included as an extra fee on your invoice from the car rental agency. Most ferries now also use the AutoPASS as payment for the ferry; they scan the tag when you drive onto the ferry.
Tolls payment stations often (but not always) show the amount you are paying and will be marked by a blue sign with a ‘Kr’ on it.
In many places it is not possible to avoid toll roads.
Priority Roads
This is a common rule in Europe but may trip up drivers from other countries. Unless indicated by a yellow diamond sign, vehicles approaching the intersection from the right have the right of way. That means if you are not on a priority road and someone is coming from the right, you need to slow down and let them in.
The priority road sign is always after an intersection, so they are obvious to see. Almost every highway is a priority road, as are most main streets in towns.
Be careful, though! If you see cars coming from the right and driving in front of you without hesitating, then you are probably not on a priority road. I learned this the hard way in Hammerfest, where the main road is not a priority road.
On the Road
Let Others Pass You!
In Norway, you are taught that if you are holding someone up on the road (maybe you are driving much slower than them), you must pull over and let them pass you. So many tourists (especially caravan drivers) come to Norway and don’t do that, and because of this they are getting a fairly negative reputation. So if you are driving and can see that you are holding someone up, pull over at the next safe spot and let them pass.
Who to Give Way to
Pedestrians always have the right of way at marked pedestrian crossings.
If you are on a road where the speed limit is 60km/h or less, you must give way to all public buses if they are pulling out from a stop. Trams also have the right of way.
Tunnels
Norway has many tunnels (over 1,000!) and they are mostly in the western part and the mountainous regions. Road tunnels are typically two land and it’s important to keep to the speed limit inside.
Mountain Passes
Mountain passes are closed over winter and will close during severe storms in the summer months. They often have very long and winding downhill stretches, which may affect your vehicle.
Tourist Attractions
Any brown sign is a tourist attraction.
Winter Driving
If you are not used to driving on snow and ice, reconsider your need to go driving. There are growing accidents in the Arctic due to winter because of tourists looking for northern lights and driving in conditions they are not used to. It is not worth it!
Wildlife
In rural forested areas, beware of moose or deer near the roadside as they may suddenly jump into traffic. In the north of Norway, it’s common to have reindeer on the road.