Guide to Driving In Norway - Drive Safe in Norway

All occupants of the car must be securely belted in whilst the car is moving in Norway.
You have to be at least 150 cm to be seated in the front seat and children must be in child seats.
 

You must carry your driving licence  and you'll need a certificate of motor insurance. It's recommended that you also obtain an insurance green card as without it, your insurance covers you for only the minimum legal cover.

You have to be 18 to drive in Norway although most car hire companies will insist you are at least 21 and have held your licence for at least a year.

Speed camera detection equipment is illegal in Norway and if caught using one, it will be confiscated and you'll receive an on the spot fine.

Minor traffic violations are dealt with by on the spot fines. More serious offences will earn you a ticket and potentially a court appearance such as for drink driving or dangerous driving.

Both speed and alcohol fines are hilariously expensive. Fines acquired by foreigner must be paid with credit card on the spot before you can continue driving.
 

All children must be secured in the car in a seat and restraint system suitable for their age, size and weight. They can travel in the front or rear of the car. Over 36kg or 135cms the child can sit in a standard car seat using standard seatbelts.

A minimum of third party insurance is required in Norway. You should also bring an insurance green card as it tops up the legal level of cover to that of your policy at home.

If you are thinking about drinking and driving in Norway, remember the strictly enforced limit is 0.02%  BAC - a quarter of the level in the UK. This means that even half a pint of lager can take you over the limit. Our advice is never to drink and drive. Additionally, the penalties are severe including removal of licence, a large fine and possibly jail.

If the Norwegian police find any amount of alcohol in the breath test they will take you back to the police headquarters and do a full test using blood analysis. This operation can take several hours and you will have to find your own way to to your car even f the blood test is negative.

If found over 0.02% then you will receive a find and possibly a suspended sentence if you were also involved in accident

0.05% - You will receive a suspended sentence , a fine and also licence suspended.
0.10% -  Possibly a jail sentence, suspended licence for up to 3 years and a hefty fine.
0.15% -  Large fine, jail sentence and licence suspended for 5 years
 

There are no legal requirements applying to towing in Norway but you are expected to use common sense in making sure the towing equipment is safe and adequate and that other road users know what you are doing. The vehicle must also be equipped with towing mirrors when towing a Caravan.

The speed limits for Norwegian roads are as follows:

50 kilometres per hour in urban areas (some parts, e.g. near schools or shops will be 30km/h)
80 kilometres per hour on the open road
100 - 110 kilometres per hour on motorways but this reduces in bad weather

Speed cameras, both fixed and mobile, are common in Norway. Getting caught by a mobile patrol will earn you an on the spot fine whilst a fixed camera will mean a ticket being sent to the registered address for your vehicle and, if in a hire car, it will be posted on to you. 

The use of mobile phones without a hands free kit is illegal in Norway and will earn you an on the spot fine if stopped by the police for doing so. 

Traffic lights in Norway have no peculiarities as their road signs and signals follow the Vienna Convention.

Norway was one of the first countries to use toll roads. Many roads including those into the main cities and also motorways have tolls. You can pay in cash or, if staying long enough, invest in an electronic rechargeable tag. Bridges, tunnels and ferries also have toll charges.