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Norway Traffic Rules

Norway traffic rules in general

The traffic rules in Norway are sometimes slightly different than in your home country. We list the most important general rules for you.

Driving under the influence

The maximum permitted blood alcohol level is 0.2 per mille.
Driving under the influence of drugs is prohibited.

Mobile phone

Drivers of motor vehicles are prohibited from holding a mobile phone while driving.
Note: Even if the vehicle is stationary in a traffic jam or in front of a red traffic light, the driver is not allowed to hold a mobile phone.
Hands-free calling is allowed.

Riding in the mountains

There are no special right of way rules on mountain roads. Usually, however, the one who is easiest to swerve or drive back gives way.

Driving in a tunnel

You are obliged to drive with dipped beam in a tunnel (daytime running light is insufficient).

Safe walking

Pedestrians should walk on the left side of the road as much as possible when a pedestrian path is missing, except in special situations or when this presents a danger to them. However, people walking with a bicycle or moped must walk on the right side of the road.

Basic traffic rules

You have to drive on the right and overtake on the left.

Priority

At an intersection, you must give way to drivers coming from the right, unless otherwise indicated by traffic signs.
You must always give way to trams.
On roads where the speed limit is 60 km / h or less, you must give way to buses leaving a stop.

Roundabout

If you want to enter a roundabout, you must give way to drivers already on the roundabout when indicated by traffic signs. At a roundabout without traffic signs, you must give way to traffic from the right, just like at a regular equivalent intersection.
If you want to turn right at a roundabout, you must indicate this with your direction indicator before entering the roundabout. If you want to go straight on or turn left at the roundabout, indicate the direction at the last exit before the exit you want to take. You must also indicate direction when changing lanes at the roundabout.

Pass

Narrow roads are provided with places where oncoming traffic can pass each other. The driver driving on the side of the road where the nearest avoidance point is located must avoid the oncoming vehicle.

To overtake

Usually you have to overtake a moving tram on the right. However, you may also overtake a moving tram on the left in a one-way street or if there is no room on the right.
You are not allowed to pass a stationary tram while passengers are boarding and alighting if there is no traffic island.
Note: Always ride with a wide arc around cyclists; if you overtake a cyclist with your car, you must keep a distance of at least 1.50 m from the cyclist. In that case, on a two-lane road, you must use the oncoming traffic lane to overtake the cyclist.
Cyclists are allowed to overtake vehicles other than bicycles on the right.

Standing still

It is forbidden to stop (or park) in places where your vehicle is not clearly visible or is an obstacle to other traffic, such as in a bend, in a tunnel or on a hill.
It is also forbidden to stop in the following places:
– Within 5m of a cyclist or pedestrian crossing.
– Within 5 m of a level crossing.
– Within 20 m of a sign indicating a bus or tram stop.
It is forbidden to stand still on the main streets of some major cities, including Oslo. This is indicated by a sign with the text All stans forbudt (stagnation prohibited) below it, sometimes with a plate stating when the prohibition to stand still applies.

Parking

Parking is prohibited in the following places:
– Within 20 m of a tram or bus stop or a taxi rank.
– On priority roads where you may drive faster than 50 km / h.
– In places of escape along narrow roads.
– Along a solid white line.

Audible tones

Drivers may use sound or light signals to warn of danger. However, unnecessary or excessive use is prohibited.

Bus lane

In Oslo, electric vehicles are allowed to use the bus lane.

Traffic rules car

Norway traffic rules car

Lighting

The use of dipped beam or daytime running light (including LED) during the day is mandatory.
Note: In tunnels, in low light and in poor visibility, daytime running light is not sufficient and dipped beam must be used.

Children

Children under 1.35 m must be transported in an approved and appropriate child seat.
Children between 1.35 and 1.50 m may be transported in an approved and appropriate booster seat with seat belts.
If a child is transported with the back forward in a child seat in the front of the car, the airbag must be deactivated.
In Norway, it is recommended that children under 4 years of age are transported in a child seat with the back forward or in a child seat in the rear seat.
In Norway, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 15 wear seat belts.

Load

The load may protrude a maximum of 1 m.
In width, the load may protrude a maximum of 15 cm on both sides.
If the load protrudes more than 1 m to the rear, the load must be equipped with a reflective sign measuring 50 x 50 cm, with diagonal red and white stripes. poor visibility, protruding cargo must be provided with lighting.

Traffic rules motorcycle

Norway traffic rules motorcycle and moped

Are you getting on a motorcycle in Norway? Then in some cases different traffic rules apply than in other European countries. We have listed the most important traffic rules for motorcycles and mopeds. This way you start your holiday well prepared.

Helmet

The wearing of a helmet is mandatory for the driver and passenger.
The driver and passenger (s) of a trike or quad are required to wear a helmet unless the vehicle has a closed body and the seats are fitted with seat belts.

Lighting

The use of dipped headlights during the day is mandatory.

Passengers

It is allowed to carry a passenger.
Children should only be transported in a designated, self-contained seat, using footrests.

Trailer

Motorcycles are allowed to tow a trailer.

Place on the roadway

Motorbikes are allowed to use the bus lane where this is indicated by signs.

Traffic rules moped

There is no separate definition of a light moped in Norway; this falls under mopeds.
A moped must not be able to drive faster than 45 km / h.

Helmet

Wearing a helmet is mandatory for both moped and light-moped riders.

Lighting

Mopeds and mopeds must also use low beam during the day.

Passengers

It is prohibited to carry a passenger.

Trailer

Mopeds are not allowed to tow a trailer.

Safety vest

Drivers of mopeds registered in Norway must carry a reflective safety vest and are required to put on this safety vest both at night and during the day in the event of a breakdown or accident.

Traffic rules bicycle

Norway traffic rules bicycle

Helmet

Wearing a helmet is not mandatory, but is advised in Norway.

Mobile phone

Although it is not prohibited by law, mobile phone calls on a bicycle are strongly discouraged.
Drivers of electric bicycles classified as motor vehicles, such as the speed pedelec, are prohibited from holding a mobile phone while cycling.

Lighting and other requirements

Bicycles must be equipped with fixed lights in the dark and in poor visibility. The light on the front of the bicycle should be white or yellow and the color red on the back of the bicycle.
The bicycle must have a white reflector in front and a red rear.
Yellow or orange reflectors must be fitted on the pedals.
The bicycle must be equipped with a bell and properly functioning brakes. In the case of hand brakes, these must function properly both at the front and rear.

Passengers

Only children under the age of 10 may be transported as a passenger on the bicycle.

Trailer

It is allowed to ride with a bicycle to which a trailer is attached.

Cycling under the influence

If a cyclist is visibly intoxicated and can no longer control the bicycle properly, a fine may be imposed.

Place on the road

Where there are bicycle paths, they should also be used.
Cyclists are allowed to use footpaths and pavements, provided that pedestrians are not inconvenienced and cyclists do not drive faster than walking speed. Cyclists are required to dismount when using pedestrian crossings.

Electric bike

For a standard electric bicycle (elektrisk sykkel, elsykkel) with pedal assistance up to 25 km / h and a maximum power of 250 watts, the same rules apply as for a normal bicycle.
An electric bicycle with pedal assistance up to 25 km / h and a power of up to 250 watts, which can reach a speed of up to 6 km / h as additional driving assistance without pedaling, is also regarded as a normal bicycle.
Wearing a bicycle helmet is not mandatory, but is advised.
Electric bicycles should use the cycle path wherever possible.

Speedpedelec

For an electric bicycle with pedal assistance up to 45 km / h, the same rules apply as for a moped.
The driver must be in possession of a moped driving license.
The driver is obliged to wear an approved moped helmet (standard ECE 22.05). As far as is known, wearing a special speed pedelec helmet (standard NTA 8776: 2016) is not permitted.
Speed pedelecs are not allowed to ride on the cycle path

Traffic rules bicycle

Norway traffic rules caravan and trailer

Dimensions, maximums

Width combination (excluding mirrors): 2,55 m (A)
Height combination: 4 m
Trailer length (including drawbar): 12 m (B)
Length combination: 19,50 m (B/C)

A: When a trailer or caravan is more than 2.30 m wide and more than 50 cm wider than the towing vehicle (excluding car mirrors), white reflectors must be fitted to the front of the caravan (top-mounted) mirrors of the car. .
B: Any bicycle carrier on the back is included in the length.
C: On some smaller roads, the maximum length can be as little as 15m or 12.40m. This is indicated by signs.
Mirrors

Cars towing a caravan must always be equipped with special caravan mirrors on both sides.

Extra wide trailer

A special permit must be requested for the transport of a trailer that is wider than 2.55 m. For more information, contact the Norwegian Public Roads Service at firmapost@vegvesen.no or visit vegvesen.no.

Winter tires

Norway winter tires

Recommended in winter conditions – The use of winter tires is not mandatory for passenger vehicles with a permissible maximum mass of up to 3500 kg, but drivers have a duty to ensure that their car is fitted with tires that have sufficient grip on the road surface in winter conditions. It is therefore strongly recommended to use winter tires (or studded tires) on Norwegian roads in the winter season.
If winter tires are used, they must be fitted on all wheels.
The minimum tread depth for winter tires is 3 mm. A minimum tread depth of 3 mm also applies to motorhomes with a permissible maximum mass of more than 3500 kg (up to 7500 kg).

Snow chains

Compulsory in winter conditions – Drivers are required to fit snow chains when driving a car on roads covered with snow or ice, unless driving on winter tires.
It is therefore recommended to always bring snow chains in the car outside the summer season.
Note: From 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter, a minimum tread depth of 3 mm also applies to summer tires.

Studded tires

Allowed in the winter period – Studded tires are allowed from November 1 to the first Sunday after Easter. Studded tires are also allowed outside this period in winter weather conditions or if the road is covered with snow or ice.
In the northern provinces (Nordland, Troms and Finnmark) studded tires are already allowed from 15 October.
If studded tires are used, all wheels of the car and those of any trailer must be fitted with studded tires.
Within the city limits of Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim and Stavanger, you have to pay an air pollution tax if you drive on studded tires (studded tires scrape the asphalt, creating fine dust particles). You can pay that tax by buying a day, month or year sticker. The sticker is valid in all four cities. See oslo.kommune.no/english/traffic_and_parking/studded_tyre_fee for more information about this tax in Oslo.

Vehicles from 3500 kg

For vehicles with a permissible maximum mass of 3500 kg or more, it is mandatory to drive on winter tires from November 15 to March 31.
As of November 15, 2020, these must be winter tires with a snowflake symbol (SPMSF) on at least the driving axle and the steering axle (on other wheels, this may also be winter tires with the M + S symbol).
The minimum tread depth for winter tires is 5 mm.
It is also mandatory for such vehicles to bring snow chains in the winter season regardless of the weather or road conditions. Note: At the border and in the border areas it can be checked whether there are snow chains in such vehicles.
The winter tire obligation for heavy vehicles does not apply to motorhomes with a permissible maximum mass of up to 7500 kg. However, they are also obliged to drive on tires that have sufficient grip on the road surface in winter conditions.

Snow shovel

It is recommended to bring a snow shovel in the car outside the summer season.

Convoy

In case of heavy snowfall, on some roads (mountain passes) in Norway, it is only allowed to drive in an escorted convoy. Such a convoy consists of a series of cars preceded by a snow thrower with a second auxiliary vehicle at the rear.
To participate in a convoy, you must drive on winter tires (with M + S symbol), have enough fuel in your tank and have warm clothes, winter shoes and a flashlight, tow rope and snow shovel with you. It is also recommended to bring food and a thermos with a hot drink.
While driving in a convoy, you must leave your hazard lights and any fog lights on.
In the event of a road narrowing due to road works, for example in a tunnel, people sometimes drive in convoy.
Some roads are completely closed at night in winter during extreme weather conditions.
More information: vegvesen.no/en/traffic/planning-your-trip (in English).

Here you will find more information about Norway.