Transport > Europe > Car travel > Driving in Norway

Driving in Norway

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 50 mg and penalties for exceeding it are extremely severe. (Medicines which should not be taken if you intend to drive soon thereafter are marked by a red triangle.) Speed limits are as follows: usually 30km/h in residential areas (note: speed control bumps are not always signposted), 50km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 80km/h (50 mph) or 90km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas, and 80km/h (50 mph) or 90km/h (56 mph) on motorways. Cars towing a caravan or trailer are limited outside built-up areas to 80km/h (50 mph) if the towed vehicle has brakes, and to 60km/h (37 mph) if the towed vehicle does not have brakes.

Trams always have priority. In mountainous areas, vehicles travelling downhill have priority; vehicles going up the hill must reverse into a passing bay if there's not enough room for two vehicles to pass. It is illegal to drive off-road.

Headlights must be on at all times while driving. Excessive use of horns is illegal.

Trams in Oslo should be passed on the right, but they may be passed on the left if there's no room on the right or if travelling on a one-way street.

Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot.

Parking

Parking on main roads or on bends is not allowed. A sign that reads "All stans forbudt" means No stopping allowed. Parking meters are differentiated as follows: yellow = one -hour, grey = two hours, brown = three hours. Parking regulations are strictly enforced.

Licences

Foreign licences are accepted for a duration of one year, after which a Norwegian licence must be obtained.

Fuel

It's illegal to use diesel fuel from the red pump. This fuel is subsidised for farmers. Ink in it stains the tank. If you're found to have such a stained tank, the fine is about $600. Fuel stations are usually closed from 7am to 10pm on weekdays, though these times vary greatly; some stay open 24 hours. During weekends stations are open only in highly populated areas. Major credit cards are not always accepted. Leaded super petrol has an octane rating of 98. Unleaded petrol is called blyfritt kraftstoff or blyfri and has an octane rating of 95.

Tolls

There's an NOK 12 toll on vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (3500kg) entering the centre of Oslo. Vehicles entering the centre of Bergen must pay an NOK 5 toll on weekdays but not on weekends or public holidays. There's a similar NOK 11 toll charged on vehicles entering Trondheim's city centre.

The following stretches of road impose tolls. We list the price in NOK for a private car (or a private car/trailer combo less than 3500 kg).

Road Closures

Several important roads are kept open all year. Road 134 from Oslo to Stavanger to Bergen to Drammen, across Haukelifjell mountain, is one such road. So is the E6 from Oslo to Trondheim, across Dovrefjell mountain. Some roads are closed for short periods because of snow, and others are closed by decree for the whole winter.

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