PLEASE READ THROUGH THE COMMENTS, THE RULES HAVE BEEN UPDATED!
Information on getting your Norwegian Driver’s License and what to expect if your are transferring your license from another country.
Getting your driver’s license isn’t just about the freedom to legally get from point A to point B, it’s also a rite of passage. It’s a process: learning the rules, practicing, going to school, dealing with the DMV, passing the exam, being trusted with your first car, trying to get a decent photo… a process most of us would rather not repeat.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a worldwide drivers license yet (though the EU license comes the closest) or worldwide driving regulations, so a move may mean new rules to learn and a new license to apply for, even for those of you saying, “but I already KNOW how to drive!”
If you already have a license from inside the European Economic Area, count yourself lucky. You are free to drive in Norway, as long as your old license is still valid (there are some different rules for heavy vehicles). You can probably stop reading this article now and instead go and gloat to your expat buddies from outside the EEA.
If you arrived in Norway with a license from outside the EEA, from some nations (see below), you can drive in Norway for one year before you need to transfer your license to a Norwegian one. This is important, you have ONE YEAR from the day you arrive to the day you apply to transfer your license (not the day you actually get it). And yes, you DO want to transfer your license. If you transfer your license you only have to take the driving test (practical test), not the theory test and the full amount of driving school.
If you have a driver’s license from the following countries outside EEA it is valid for one year in Norway:
Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech republic, Chile, China, Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, San Mario, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, USA, Venezuela, former Yugoslavia and the former Soviet states.
If your nation isn’t on the list, or you wait for more than a year to apply, you must do all the ordinary driving lessons and the theoretical test before the driving test. This can cost you around 30,000 NOK. You can still expect to pay around 5,000 NOK for a license transfer.
The Norwegian license:
Norwegian drivers’ licenses are in accordance with the EEA-standard, which means they are valid abroad. Even though Norway isn’t a part of the EU, their driver’s license is a form of the EU license. You must be 18 to drive a car, and 16 to drive a moped or tractor. There are separate rules/tests for large vehicles and motorcycles.
Before you jump behind the wheel to start practicing for your driving test, you have to take a four-day class called “trafikalt grunnkurs” on the rules of the road, traffic accidents, emergencies, and first aid. After that you can get a practice license which is good as long as you have an adult, older than 25 and with a valid license, in the car with you.
When you first get your license you have a 2-year trial period with stricter rules. If you lose your license during this time you have to start over from 0 and take the theoretical and driving tests again and have a new 2-year probation period. Norway has a point system for driving. Most traffic violations will get you 2 points. If you get 8 points within 3 years you will temporarily lose your license for usually 6 months.
A license transfer:
Total time (for me) between beginning the process and receiving my Norwegian license in the mail:
10 months
What to do if you are transferring your license:
1. Go to Stavanger Trafikkstasjon in Forus and apply to exchange your license within one year of arriving in Norway. It can take up to 4 months from when you apply to when you actually get a test scheduled.
*NOTE: While applying for a license make sure you pick up an English Accident report form to carry in your car! These forms must be filled out for insurance purposes in the event of any accident. Even if you don’t plan on using insurance to cover damages, fill out the form (and sign by both parties) to protect yourself.
2. Contact a driving school after you get a letter from the trafikkstasjon in the mail. Bil & Mc Skolen Stavanger AS is one driving school that offers driving classes in English. They do not have English theoretical courses, but recommend that you buy the book, which does come in English, and study on your own.
3. Go to driving class, drive slowly and carefully, and learn the rules for roundabouts and other things that might be different from your home country.
4. After you get the OK from your driving school, have them sign you up for a driving test.
5. Take your driving test! You do not need to bring photos to get your license; they will be taken at the trafikkstasjon.You will need to rent a car with passenger side brakes for your driving test. Hopefully if you are ready for the test your passenger will not need these brakes but you aren’t allowed to take the test in your own car. You can request an automatic but most cars in Norway are manual.
6. If you pass your test, take your signed test to the trafikkstasjon counter and you should receive your license in the mail within two weeks.
The temporary license:
If you are doing a license transfer, you MUST turn in your license when you first apply. You will then be given a temporary license, which is just a slip of paper, until you pass your test and receive your Norwegian license. For me, this was 10 months. A temporary license is good for 3 months, and then you have to come back and ask for an extension. While a temporary license is valid in Norway, it is not recognized internationally like a Norwegian driver’s license, so if you go on holiday you won’t be driving.
The ID issue:
For many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, and the US, a driver’s license is used as the standard form of identification and there is no national identification card. Without your driver’s license, you will have to carry your passport or other ID to the bars with you. Is carrying a Norwegian ID enough? Maybe, but no promises. I have been turned down for buying beer in the US with a valid US passport (explanation, “You can fake these!”). I have also been turned down with the ID on the back of my bankcard, which is accepted in Norway. On a side note, I have also been turned down from Checkpoint bar in Stavanger with my US ID (explanation, “We don’t know what foreign ID’s look like, you need a Norwegian one” “But I’m not Norwegian, I don’t have a Norwegian ID.” “Sorry.”). Thank you, I will happily take my business elsewhere. I guess the lesson is to bring two forms of ID, and guard your handbag like a pit-bull lest you find yourself on vacation and passport-less.
The driving test:
The driving test takes an hour. There are a few different routes that they usually take through the greater Stavanger area, so it’s not a bad idea to ask your driving school instructor to take you on these routes so you become familiar with them.
Rules to be aware of:
1. Drivers coming from the right always have the right of way, unless the road you are on is marked with a yellow diamond-shaped sign (major roads).
2. Roundabouts are everywhere! Forget rule number 1 at a roundabout, now you need to yield to cars on your left, the ones already in the roundabout.
3. When you want to exit a roundabout use your turn signal and blink right.
4. Driving drunk is no joke in Norway. Norway has the strictest drunk-driving laws in Europe: 0.1 milligrams of alcohol per milliliter of blood. Even one drink can put you over the limit. Alcohol checkpoints are common, even morning after check points. You will get a minimum day in jail, a huge fine, and lose your license.
5. Everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt all the time.
6. You can get a speeding ticket for going over the speed limit. Period. None of this 10 mph (16 km/hr) over the speed limit margin. Going even 5 km over the speed limit can get you a 600 kr fine. Going 15 km over can be 2900 kr, 4200 kr for 20 over, and 6500 kr for 25 over. Watch out for radar traps and cameras!
7. Dipped headlights have to be on all the time.
8. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on the motorway is 90 km/hr, 80 km/hr on open roads with no houses around, and 50 km/hr in town.
Failure:
A whopping 40% fail their drivers test on the first try. Yes, that’s right, 40%. You would think that since to even take the test in the first place you must be approved as “ready” by a certified traffic school the failure rate would be minimized to those 2% whose nerves got the best of them come testing day. Sound like a racket in the worst way? It probably is, and I haven’t found a Norwegian yet who won’t say the same thing. Unfortunately, your alternatives are the bus or driving illegally (we strongly advise against this) and risking fines as much as 20 000 kr. if you are caught so my advice is to smile, practice, and take the test seriously.
Good luck and remember to buckle up and stay safe!
Check the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen) for more information.
Read more road signs, rules, and road trips in Norway.
More information on traffic rules
More information on speeding in Norway
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About Lani Cantor
Lani Cantor is currently residing in Randaberg, just outside of Stavanger, Norway, with her Norwegian boyfriend, Stig. Lani is Jewish-Japanese-American by heritage and moved to Norway from Santa Monica, California in July of 2008. Lani is a graphic designer and web specialist for Megabite as, but enjoys art and design in all its forms, especially minimalist, maximalist, lohaus, bauhaus, wabi-sabi, and modern design. She is a former student of wheel thrown ceramics. As an avid traveler, Lani studied abroad on three occasions (once to Israel, twice to Japan). She enjoys anything outside, dancing, trying new things, and cooking food for people.
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16 comments
Cynthia
May 6, 2010
I had a really good experience with Skagen Trafikkskolen. They were really polite and able to communicate well in English. (This is after I called over 10 schools and got hung up on or just outrightly rejected because I was speaking English)
edgar
May 6, 2010
Romania and Bulgaria joined EU in 2008 (I think), so the driving licenses issued there are valid in Norway.
kip
May 6, 2010
Nice article, Lani. Succinct, well written.
Lani Cantor
May 7, 2010
Thanks for the country update Edgar! Assuming this list will continue to change its a good idea to double-check the rules for your country.
nick
Oct 22, 2010
I heard today that the laws have changed as of October 1st. As I understand people who came to Norway after July 1, 2010 must exchange their foreign license within 3 months.
http://www.vegvesen.no/Forerkort/Om+forerkort/Diverse+krav+til+forerkort/Innbytte+av+utenlandsk+forerkort/Land-utenfor-EOS
nick
Oct 24, 2010
If someone can help with the Norwegian they can confirm for me the new laws.
Licenses from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea or the United States must be changed within 1 year and only need a practical driving test.
Licenses from all other countries outside the EU have 3 months to exchange and must apply like it is a new license. (does this just mean now they can drive for 3 months while they are applying?)
Cynthia
Oct 24, 2010
Hi Nick,
If you have arrived in Norway after 1st July 2010, you can drive on your foreign license for up to 3 months (if you come from a country outside the EU and outside those countries you mentioned above). After that, you’ll have to go through the entire process of getting driver’s license as a new driver would (minus the theoretical test). If you arrrived in Norway before 1st July 2010, you can use your foreign license for up to 1 year.
Lani Cantor
Oct 26, 2010
You need to begin the process of changing your license before those three months are up. My understanding/experience is that you get a temporary license to drive on while you are applying for your new one, it will probably take most people longer than three months to get their license but as long as you are in the process its ok.
Lani Cantor
May 11, 2011
Just an FYI if you loose your license (not that I would know!) You need to go (in person with ID, doesn’t need to be a passport) to Statens Vegvesen and report that your license is missing. They will give you a temporary license (just a piece of paper). I’m not sure if this is valid in the EU, but I know it is not valid in the US. You have to wait one month, in-case your license turns up, and then you can go back to Statens Vegvesen and apply for a new license. It costs about 250 NOK. You can reuse your old picture if you want. After that, it only takes a week or two to get the new license in the mail. Statens Vegvesen is open late on Tuesdays now, good for people working.
lbullington
Nov 11, 2011
Do you know the process if you missed the 3 month deadline of getting a Norwegian drivers license?
Lani Cantor
Dec 12, 2011
There is a detailed description of the entire process in english here:
http://www.vegvesen.no/en/Driving+license
Unfortunately if you miss the 3 month deadline you have to start over from the begining and take all the driving classes and the written exam.
sandnesbuddies
Jan 27, 2012
Thanks for useful information, I have a small question related to theory test it has been noticed that mostly there lot of questions related to statistics for example
Most of the time driver involved in an accident are
1) during Learning driving
2) Six months after getting license
3) 1 year after getting license
4) 2 year after getting license
and many others, these questions don’t exist in book.
Any idea where to find answers?
thanks
Ajeet Kamath
Feb 3, 2012
I think there is a bit of confusion on the three-month/one-year limit.
The 3-month limit is the amount of time your foreign license is valid after you arrive in Norway. I.e. if you do nothing, you can continue to drive in Norway with your foreign license for up to three months. After that, you cannot use your foreign license to drive here.
The 1-year limit is the amount of time you are given to exchange your foreign license (per the rules applicable for the country where your license was issued). So, while you are unable to drive after the 3-month limit expires, you still have some time to complete the license exchange. When you submit your foreign license for the exchange, you are issued a temporary permit which is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.
http://www.vegvesen.no/en/Driving+licences/Driving+licenses/Exchange+of+foreign+driving+licences/Countries+outside+the+EEA
From SE FB Group
May 3, 2012
Hi, I have a question regarding norwegian driving license. Is it working worldwide? Because I have to give away my french one (which doesn’t means that I have to pass again all the tests) and I don’t know if it’s better to keep the french one or ask for the norwegian one?
Answers:
- If your French licence was issued in france and is an EU license yo should not have to give it up. I have been driving on my UK license since arriving in 2009.
- yes but my employee requires norwegian driving license…
- Sounds strange as long as you have a EU license, I dont think they can (since that one is valid here).
- I just got the point: at work I may drive some of their cars, insurance is not covering foreign driving licenses.
- I think I would check with the insurances. Or go out to Forus and speak to them about it.
- Vegvessen does not really care about that. EU regulations says that it is not possible to hold 2 driving licenses from 2 different EU countries.
- Then I suggest you speak with Sigurd Rønningen at the law office here, since he is the one dealing with those kind of cases. He should know
- if you come from a eu country then you can drive on that license
- Be a little cautious using a UK licence for too long, there is a time limit for exchnging to Norwegian if you stay longer. Also as UK licences have your registered address on them they are technically only valid while that address is current, and as you can’t register a foreign address . . . . . I changed mine after 3 1/2 years and was told that after 5 yrs I could not have exchanged it.
- I have driven for 4 years on my UK licence, insurance is cheaper here then the UK, and never been asked what licence I have. It is up to you as a driver to make sure your licence is suitable and valid for Norway.
- Vegvesen told me the other other day there is no requirement to exchange your licence, however if living permenately here it is recommended. I have just renewed my UK one. DVLA doesnt require you to notify them of living abroad.
- DVLA must have changed rules, as mine had an address, and if the address is not current the licence is not valid . . at least it was when I last spoke to them . . on a Norwegian licence now.
- I am not sure how long ago that was but I really believe it has changed since then; I have been here since 2009 and do not need to change over my UK licence!
- Drivers will need to have a full, valid licence issued in their country of residence and held for at least a year. They are required to carry this with them at all times whilst driving.
- If the driver’s license is not issued by an EU/EEA country, an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) may be required. Please note that the legislations regarding drivers’ licenses have recently changed. If drivers have moved to Norway and their driving licence was issued outside the EU/EEA in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea or the USA they can exchange it for a Norwegian driving licence after passing a practical driving test. This exchange must be made within one year of the driver taking up permanent residence in Norway.
- If the driver’s driving licence was issued from any other country outside of these aforementioned countries or outside of the EU/EEA then they must exchange their licence for a Norwegian one, it is worth starting the process prior to arrival into Norway as you will be given 3 months grace to drive but cannot exchange your licence until 6 months after arrival, which means are likely to find yourself unable to drive for 3 months. This involves completing all compulsory sections of the Norwegian driving licence including night driving and first aid. The driver should contact Vegvesen (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) to discuss how they should proceed:
Statens Vegvesen
Region vest, Askedalen 4. NO-6863 Leikanger. Norway
Telephone: +47 815 44 010 – Telefax: +47 57 65 59 86
E-mail: firmapost-vest@vegvesen.no
- I’ve sure never seen this before about not getting a license until you’ve been in the country for 6 months. That really puts another nasty spin on things if they don’t credit our 30+ years driving in Canada.
- Guess it’s a good thing we are going to the INN course on Tuesday night.
- I still use my UK address, will keep it til i am told otherwise. Vegvasen rules depends on who you talk to i guess.
- You can always go home and request a new license after you give it up….
- I believe you no longer have a year to exchange you licence (I’m from the USA). You have three months to turn it in and then three months to take the driving test. Also you had to be a resident of the USA. If you have been living in another country not on your list you are required to take the entire course.
From SE FB Group
May 3, 2012
Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get an answer when you appeal your rejection to transfer your drivers license to a Norwegian one? I know there was a lot of discussion regarding driver licenses before, but “search’ seems to be missing on the FB site.
Answers:
I appealed a rejection of transfer last summer and it took about 6 weeks for a positive response to come, about a week after my temporary license expired. Only then, because my transfer was approved, did I then get a 3 month extension to be able to drive until my test was scheduled. Good luck and feel free to message me if you have any questions.
I recently received a letter from Dept of public roads that the rules for license exchange are changing this summer so it will no longer be as hard.
I transferred from Egypt… they needed to ensure my US license was not a case of “drivers license tourism”
A frustrating processes that’s even worse for our friends from countries not on the list… I hope to see it change!
if you come from a eu contry then you can drive on that license
I have a Qatari and US license. They told me they wouldn’t accept my US license because I spent the past 3 years in Qatar. Did you have the same issue coming from Egypt or could you exchange your US license?
I had a german dirvers license and it will now be tranfered to a norwegian one. they told me that they will send me a letter after a month!
I formally applied and was rejected for a US license exchange at first, and I appealed with a letter from my company saying Egypt was an assignment for me and the US is my base. Basically I think you need to demonstrate your driving history is mostly in the US. Its helpful to dialog with vegvesen face to face and appeal to reason. Then you still need to appeal by letter but it should all go through the same person at Vegvesen. Olav’s driving school in Sandnes might be of help also, for a price.
I have my insurance records from 2004-2012.
Yes, that’s the way it was for me. Although my letter said I should still send it to the local office and they’d “send it on” to Oslo. My subsequent approval letter was signed by the same woman at the local office (Mette) so I doubt it’s as impersonal of an appeal as they make it sound. Yes, Norway took my American license at the start of the process and they don’t give it back (unless you don’t end up getting a Norwegian one, surely). I think there is a UN mandate that says people cannot have a drivers license from more than one country. I’ve heard of people getting a “lost” license replacement from their home country though.
msikaneta
May 14, 2012
Hello! We are Canadians currently residing in Switzerland but about to move to Norway in the summer. Our current licenses are valid until Sept/Oct 2012 and we will not be able to renew them since we will no longer be residents here. Does anybody know what we would have to do?
Switzerland is not part of the EEA (but is part of EFTA, and I assume has standards that would be recognised in Norway) and is not listed in the Norwegian permission to drive booklet. Would we be able to exchange our licenses or would we have to go through the whole longer process (since Switzerland is not on the list) of the training etc.? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
Megan