Road safety

In Norway, drivers and cyclists often share the road and thus must follow the same traffic rules. Read more about bike safety.

Car safety

Driving a car is one of the best ways to experience Norway at your own pace. But the driving conditions can sometimes be harsh, especially during winter. If you’re crossing mountains or driving far on smaller roads, you should keep warm clothes, food, and water in the car. Also note that fuel stations may be few and far between in the mountains and other remote areas, especially in Northern Norway.

Speed limits

In general, the Norwegian speed limit is 80 kilometres per hour, except for in built-up areas or town centres, where it is 50 kilometres per hour unless otherwise stated. It can be as low as 30 kilometres per hour in residential areas, and as high as 110 kilometres per hour on certain dual carriageways and motorways. Of course, certain conditions may warrant much lower speeds, for instance in low visibility or on slippery roads.

Heavy vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes) and vehicles towing caravans or trailers may not exceed 80 kilometres per hour regardless of the local limit. Camping cars under 7.5 tonnes are excepted from this rule and are allowed to follow indicated speed limits as other vehicles. If the caravan or trailer is not equipped with brakes, the maximum speed is 60 kilometres per hour.

Tyres

It doesn’t have to be cold for the road to be slippery, and worn-out tyres pose a serious hazard even on dry roads. For driving in Norway, your summer tyre tread must be at least 1.6 millimetres deep. For winter tyres, the minimum is 3 millimetres. During the winter, you must drive with winter tyres with or without studs.

Use of studded tyres is allowed from 1 November until the first Sunday after Easter Sunday. In the counties Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark studded tyres are allowed during the period 15 October–1 May. Studded tyres may also be used outside of these periods if the weather and road surface conditions make it necessary.

If studded tyres are fitted to a car weighing under 3.5 tonnes, they must be fitted to all four wheels. Vehicles with a permitted total weight of 3.5 tonnes or more must carry snow chains if ice or snow is expected. These snow chains must fit the vehicle’s wheels. Snow chains can be bought at reasonable prices. Studded tyres can be rented.

The cities of Trondheim and Oslo have a fee for city centre driving with studded tyres, in order to limit the pollution produced by studded tyres.

Easy on the brakes

Brakes may overheat at long downhill stretches. To avoid this, drive in a low gear. Eventual braking will require less force and brakes will stay cool. When driving uphill, watch the car’s temperature gauge to avoid engine overheating in time.

Mountain passes

Note that weather conditions can cause mountain passes to close, especially during heavy snow and strong wind. Some of the higher mountain passes can get snowfall and frost when there are summer conditions in the lowlands, particularly in April/May and September/October.

Lights on at all times

Dipped headlights are mandatory at all times, even in the middle of the brightest summer day. This includes mopeds and motorcycles. If your car is a right-hand drive, you must use black triangles on your headlights to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Seat belts and safety seats

Seat belts are compulsory for both driver and passengers. Children under 36 kilograms or 135 centimetres in height must use a child safety seat.

Don’t drink and drive – alcohol limit

Driving and drinking do not mix, and especially so in Norway. Alcohol laws are very strict, and penalties from driving under the influence are severe. The legal limit is 0,02% blood alcohol and applies to the driver of any motorized vehicle. Medications to avoid if you intend to drive are marked with a red triangle.

Don’t talk and drive

Carrying a mobile phone makes good sense from a safety point-of-view, as long as you do not use it hand-held whilst driving. Doing so is an offence, and can land you in a lot of trouble – even if you don’t have an accident.

In case of an accident

In case of a breakdown or an accident, all vehicles must have at least one high-visibility vest, a warning triangle, and third-party insurance.

Emergency telephones can be found on mountain stretches and in tunnels. For 24 hour salvage or technical assistance, three of the largest roadside assistance companies in Norway are:

NAF: (+47) 23 21 31 00
Falck: (+47) 02 222
Viking: (+47) 06 000

Car travel

All you need to know about driving in Norway, from information on petrol stations and how to charge your electric car, to scenic route recommendations and toll road instructions.