Driving in Norway

In Norway, gas stations, known locally as petrol stations, offer a range of services to cater to the needs of drivers on the road. In addition to providing fuel, most stations offer convenience store items, such as snacks, drinks, and basic groceries. Many petrol stations also have restrooms, car wash facilities, and air pumps for tires. When it comes to fuel, both diesel and gasoline (petrol) are commonly available. As of february 2024, the average price per liter for diesel is approximately 22.00 NOK, while gasoline costs around 23.00 NOK per liter. It's worth noting that fuel prices may vary slightly depending on location and the specific petrol station.

Driving and drinking do not mix, especially not in Norway. The law is very strict, and penalties for driving under the influence are severe. The legal limit is 0.02% blood alcohol and applies to the driver of any motorized vehicle. Medications that you must not take if you intend to drive are marked with a red triangle.

The use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited. Using a phone while driving can land you in a lot of trouble and lead to an expensive fine (!) – even if you don’t have an accident.

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

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

Emergency telephones + 47 93 93 93 91

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 blinding other drivers.

Note that weather conditions can cause mountain passes to close, especially during heavy snow and strong winds. Some of the higher mountain passes can experience snowfall and frost, even when there are summer conditions in the lowlands, particularly in April/May and September/October. You can find information about closures on the Norwegian Roads Administration's website. The information is in Norwegian only, but their interactive map will help you. Here, you will also see any roadworks and ferry times.

Norway has a human-oriented traffic culture that puts pedestrians and cyclist first. Pedestrians who want to cross the street will expect you to slow down or stop at zebra crossings, and cyclists may not always follow traffic regulations. Please show consideration for all road users when driving.

There are many toll stations in Norway, almost all of which are automatic. All drivers, regardless of nationality, must pay Norwegian road tolls. The flat fee you have payed Oslocampervan will cover the toll roads, and the cars are equiped with a AutoPASS system in the car, the automated system for collection of road and ferry tolls.

If you want to drive in Norway and have a driving licence issued in an EU/EEA country, you can use it in Norway for as long as it is valid. Driving licences from most countries outside the EU/EEA can be used in Norway for up to three months. When hiring a car in Norway, you may need to have held the licence for at least one year.

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

​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 exempt from this rule and can follow the same speed limits as other cars. If a caravan or trailer is not equipped with brakes, the maximum speed is 60 kilometres per hour.

Ferry journeys are paid through AutoPASS system in the car, the automated system for collection of road and ferry tolls.

Be prepared, there may be queues in the summer months. For the most popular ferries, it is recommended to book in advance. This includes the Geiranger–Hellesylt and Lauvvik–Lysebotn connections in Fjord Norway and Bognes-Lødingen and Bodø-Moskenes in Northern Norway in particular.

Approximate times based on the shortest route on major routes:

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Oslo-Trondheim (Østerdalen route: 6 hrs 25 mins, Gudbrandsdalen route: 6 hrs 45 mins)

Oslo-Bergen (7 hrs)

Oslo-Kristiansand (3 hrs 45 mins)

Oslo-Stavanger (7 hrs)

Oslo-Nordkapp (25 hrs)

Stavanger-Bergen (4 hrs 50 mins)

Bergen-Ålesund (7 hrs 30 mins)

Ålesund-Trondheim (5 hrs 40 mins)

Trondheim-Bodø (9 hrs 30 mins + 4 hrs by ferry to Lofoten)

Trondheim-Bodø via Kystriksvegen (You can drive the Coastal Road Kystriksveien in a day or two, but we do not recommend this. If you are on holiday, you should have at least 5-7 days to stop and explore the area).

Trondheim-Tromsø (16 hrs 20 min)

Bodø-Tromsø (8 hrs 15 min)

Tromsø-Nordkapp (9 hrs)

Tromsø-Kirkenes (10 hrs 15 min)