Getting a driver’s license in Norway is a thorough process that aims to produce safe, confident drivers who can handle winter roads, narrow village lanes, and busy city traffic. If you are new to Norway or planning a long stay, understanding the system will save you time and money. As someone who grew up here and has helped plenty of friends navigate the system, I’ll walk you through each stage so you know what to expect.
Short answer: you apply to Statens vegvesen, pass the theory test, complete a set of mandatory courses and lessons, practice a lot, then pass the practical driving test. Expect several months from start to finish, depending on how much you drive, how quickly you learn, and how easily you can book test dates.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of getting a driver’s license in Norway.
Who Can Get a Norwegian Driver’s License
For the standard passenger car license (category B), the minimum age is 18. You can start preparing earlier if you take the basic traffic course. You must meet health and vision requirements, and you need a valid residence status long enough to complete the process. If you already hold a license from another country, there are rules for driving on it temporarily and for exchanging it, which I explain further down.
The Main Steps at a Glance
- Register your application for a driving license with Statens vegvesen and check health requirements.
- If you are under 25, complete the basic traffic course, called trafikalt grunnkurs.
- Study for and pass the theory test.
- Take driving lessons and complete the mandatory modules, including first aid, night driving, slippery-track training, and a long safety course on the road.
- Practice privately if you can.
- Take and pass the practical driving test.
- Receive your temporary driving rights and then your physical license card by mail.
This order is typical, though some items can be taken in parallel. The mandatory modules must be finished before you can take the practical test.
Trafikalt Grunnkurs: The Starting Point for Young Learners
Anyone under 25 must take trafikalt grunnkurs before practicing in traffic. It covers basic traffic knowledge, first aid, and night driving. The night-driving part is usually offered in the darker months. If you begin in spring or summer, you may do the main course first and complete the night-driving session later when it is actually dark. Adults over 25 are exempt from the course itself, though first aid and night-driving awareness still appear elsewhere in the training path.
Tip from the local side: book the night-driving session early in autumn and winter. Those classes fill up quickly in many towns.
Applying and Booking With Statens Vegvesen
Statens vegvesen runs both the theory and practical tests, and the entire application is handled through their online services or customer service offices. You register your application, check whether a health certificate is required for your category, and book tests. Bring valid ID for all exams. If your ID name does not match your registration, fix that before test day to avoid being turned away.
The Theory Test: What to Expect and How to Pass
The theory test checks your knowledge of traffic rules, signs, right-of-way situations, safety margins, winter driving, and vehicle basics. It is computer-based and available in multiple languages. You need a solid grasp of Norwegian signs and rules, including priorities at uncontrolled intersections, lane discipline on multi-lane roads, and safe following distances in rain, snow, and ice.
How to prepare well:
- Study the official curriculum topics and use up-to-date test prep materials.
- Do practice tests until you consistently score above the pass threshold.
- Learn winter-specific topics, like how studded tires affect braking and when to switch to winter tires.
If you fail the theory test, you can retake it, but you will need to wait for a new appointment and pay the fee again, so it pays to be ready the first time.
Driving Lessons: Structure and Required Modules
Norwegian driver training for category B has a competency-based structure. You do not need a fixed number of lessons, but you must reach a clear skill level across city, rural, and highway environments, plus complete several mandatory modules:
- First Aid reinforces what to do at the scene of an accident.
- Slippery-Track Training (often called safety course on track) teaches you how a car behaves on ice-like surfaces and how to regain control.
- Long Safety Course on Road is an extended session that includes planning, independent driving, rural and highway driving, and risk reflection.
- Night-Driving for those who need it, as mentioned earlier.
These modules are taken through approved driving schools. A good school will sequence them so they build on your progress. Do not rush the safety course. It is designed to test your readiness and consolidate your judgment, not just your hands-on skills.
Private Practice: How to Do It Legally and Safely
Private practice can reduce costs and build confidence. To practice legally, you need:
- A valid learner permit and ID in the car.
- A qualified supervising driver in the front passenger seat. The companion must be at least 25 and have held a category B license for several years without suspension.
- An extra interior mirror for the supervisor.
- A red L plate on the back of the car.
- Zero alcohol and full compliance with traffic laws.
Pick quieter routes first, then progress to roundabouts, city traffic, and finally highway stretches. If you are new to Norwegian winters, schedule focused sessions on snow and slush, and learn to anticipate black ice on bridges and shaded bends. Practice in daylight and darkness, since the practical test can include either.
Automatic vs Manual: Choosing Your Transmission
Testing in an automatic car restricts you to automatic vehicles. If you want to drive manual later, you will need an additional assessment to remove the limitation. Manual lessons take extra time for clutch control and hill starts, but can be useful if you plan to rent or borrow cars outside the big cities. If you are short on time or anxious about stalling, automatic is a perfectly fine choice in Norway.
The Practical Driving Test: How It Runs
On test day you will do a pre-drive safety check, then drive in mixed conditions for roughly an hour. The examiner looks for:
- Smooth control of the car, correct observation, and safe positioning.
- Confident roundabout handling and lane discipline.
- Proper speed choice, especially where limits change near schools and residential areas.
- Smart anticipation and risk management, like leaving space for cyclists and planning for pedestrians at zebra crossings.
- Independent driving for a segment, where you follow signed directions without step-by-step prompts.
You will get a clear result at the end. If you pass, you receive temporary driving rights immediately, and your card arrives by mail. If you do not pass, the examiner will explain the main issues so you can target them in your next lessons.
Timeline and Costs: What Is Realistic
There is no single price tag. Your total depends on how many lessons you need, how much private practice you get, and local school rates. The mandatory modules, theory and practical test fees, plus the license card cost, all add up. Many people end up spending several tens of thousands of NOK across everything. You can reduce costs by doing consistent private practice, spacing lessons so skills stick, and booking tests when your instructor says you are truly ready.
Plan for several months from first lesson to test. In cities with high demand, test dates can be the bottleneck, so look at multiple test centers within reasonable travel distance. Winter can slow progress if you are brand new to snow driving, although learning in winter tends to make you a stronger driver overall.
Exchanging a Foreign License or Starting Fresh
If you hold an EU or EEA driver’s license, you can usually drive in Norway on that license and exchange it for a Norwegian one without retesting. For licenses from outside the EU or EEA, the rules vary by country. Some can be exchanged with limited steps, others require a practical test, and some require starting the Norwegian process from the beginning. Pay close attention to deadlines for exchanging. If you miss the window, you may lose the option to swap and have to test from scratch.
If you plan to stay a while and you are eligible to exchange, do it early. Keep your identity documents and residence proof in order, and make sure your foreign license is valid, readable, and in good condition.
Safety Culture and Winter Reality
Norway’s driving culture is patient and safety oriented. You will notice drivers slowing near crossings and giving cyclists room. In winter, the road might be perfectly fine in the sun and treacherous in the shade. Bridges freeze first, mountain passes can close quickly, and coastal roads get sudden gusts. Build habits that fit these conditions: gentle braking, longer following distances, and eyes far ahead.
A small local habit that helps a lot: clean your lights and windows at every fuel stop in winter. Visibility makes or breaks your safety on a dark February afternoon.
The Two-Year Probation Period
After you pass, you enter a probation period that lasts two years. During this time, the authorities take violations more seriously. Drive clean, keep your phone out of your hands, and maintain safe speeds. It is not just about avoiding penalties, it is about cementing good habits before they become automatic.
Practical Tips From Living Here
- Book early, especially for night driving and the slippery-track module. They fill up in winter-heavy regions.
- Practice roundabouts until they feel boring. Examiners watch for correct lane choice, indicators, and timing.
- Learn city parking calmly. You will meet tight spaces and steep side streets.
- Treat test day like a normal day. Eat, hydrate, and go for a short warm-up drive with your instructor to settle nerves.
- If you fail, do not take it personally. Norwegian examiners are strict but fair. Fix the issues and go again.
After You Get the Card
Carry your license and a valid ID. If you plan to tow a trailer or caravan, check whether you need an additional endorsement. Keep your address current so renewals and notices reach you. If you will drive across to Sweden or Denmark, your Norwegian license is recognized, and renting a car abroad is straightforward.
Bottom line: with a clear plan and steady practice, getting a driver’s license in Norway is very achievable. The system is designed to prepare you for real conditions, including winter driving, and once you are through it, you will be ready for just about anything the Norwegian roads throw at you.