Your Complete Guide to Driving in Norway

Being at the helm of your adventure is the only true way to experience the home of Vikings! Driving in Norway will open your possibilities for exploration and ensure that you get the most out of your holiday.

But navigating the roads of a foreign country is easier said than done. After reading this article, you will be handling the Norwegian roads like a native, so stay tuned for your complete guide to driving in Norway.

Should You Drive in Norway?

Since this is a safe and low-traffic country, there is no reason not to drive in Norway. However, if you try one of the Norway self-drive tours, you will quickly find out that the roads in the country are longer than one might expect. Therefore, we don’t recommend that anyone goes driving around Norway on a whim.

Norway is the longest country in Europe from south to north, with the rugged coastline making the roads almost twice as long as the country itself. One of the longest drives in Norway will be nearly 2,800 kilometers from Kristiansand in the south to Vardø in the north. This is extreme when it comes to driving distances in Norway, but it’s a good way to show just how long the country is.

Do I Need a Car in Norway?

You can get around the country by car, bus, train, and boat, so there are options to renting a car when you visit. However, Norwegian public transport only takes you from one place to another and doesn’t allow for detours if you see something you’d like to visit.

Even though you might not need a car, there is no better way of exploring a country than by being at the helm of your adventure. Norway has a well-built-out road network, and it would be a shame not to take full advantage of it. If you want to experience the country as it should be experienced, then you will need a car in Norway.

Is it Easy to Drive in Norway?

The roads are generally well-kept throughout the country, so you won’t have to worry too much about running into a pothole or poor road conditions in Norway. The road signs are also generally well-maintained and up-to-date, so you can trust the information on the road as you go, making it easy to drive in Norway.

What Side of the Road Do They Drive on In Norway?

If you are from the UK, Australia, or South Africa, you might struggle at first since the Norway driving side is to the right. This also means that the steering wheel will be on the left side of the car.

Pros and Cons of Driving in Norway

Even if we are biased in our interpretation of driving in Norway, we know this has both negative and positive aspects. Hopefully, the quick summary below will give you a clear understanding of both: 

Pros

• We love being at the helm of our adventures, which is exactly what you get when driving a rental. You decide when, where, and how you want to spend your time.

• Driving in Norway, as opposed to relying on tours and public transport, is more budget-friendly. It’s easy on the wallet, so you can spend your money on other things you want to do (and buy) in the country.

• Driving a motorhome or campervan in Norway will give you plenty of options for overnight stays, as Norway has a “right to roam” law that allows you to sleep anywhere on uncultured land, as long as it is more than 150 meters away from any inhabited house or cabin. So, can you sleep in your car in Norway? Yes, as long as there aren’t any signs that prohibit it.

Cons

• You will be at the helm of your adventure, which might not work well if you’re not comfortable in new environments or if a holiday to you means escaping most of your responsibilities. The thrill some feel for an adventure might be the peril for another.

• Small regional roads are often narrow and have limited visibility, which might make some people anxious when driving. These roads have small pockets that you must navigate into to allow someone coming from the opposite way to pass.

• Even if the roads are well-maintained, few things can be as ferocious as the Norwegian winter winds.

Winter Driving in Norway

Driving in Norway in winter might be a challenge for those who are not accustomed to snow and ice on the roads. You must be prepared for blizzards with strong winds and the possibility of black ice on the roads. Combine this with shorter daylight hours, and you might find yourself in a pickle. Follow these short tips for a safer driving experience:

• Make sure you have winter tires on. Studded or special deep-tread winter tires.

• Stay calm and slow down if you’re unsure. It’s better to arrive late than not at all.

• Don’t be afraid to stop regularly to clear snow or ice off the headlights.

• Drive carefully, even if the road is plowed. Packed snow can be as slippery as ice, and loose snow can grip tires like sand.

• Keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan your trips.

• Keep your distance to the cars in front of you.

• Remember the emergency numbers.

What are the Roads Like in Norway

The roads in Norway are kept to a high standard all over the country. Regardless of where you are, all roads maintained by any governmental body must be well maintained to ensure road safety.

By international measures, the traffic in Norway is low. This means that even if you are driving on the highway, you are unlikely to get stuck in traffic. Despite this, you will find that even most of the smaller roads are single lanes in both directions. Only the very rarely used forest and mountain roads are single lanes with the pockets described earlier.

What Kind of Vehicle Do You Need in Norway?

Driving in Norway doesn’t require anything more than a normal car. Unless you are planning on going off-road, you won’t need a 4x4 or anything special.

Most cars in Norway are still petrol-driven, despite the government’s incentive to encourage the residents to buy electrical vehicles. When driving in Norway, you want to go for a car that gives you good fuel efficiency since petrol is expensive here.

Driving a motorhome or campervan might offset this cost since you can camp for free in large parts of the country. If you want to hook the home up to water, wastewater collection, or electricity, you will have to pay for that, but camping in Norway, according to the right to roam, is free!

Electrical Vehicles (EVs)

Norway has been dubbed the “EV capital of Europe” due to its considerable investment in the EV charging infrastructure. The network of chargers is nationwide, and if you keep to the main roads, you won’t have to worry about being far away from your next battery top-up.

Driving Regulations in Norway

As with all developed countries, you must always have your seatbelt on. Safety comes first in this long and thin country, which is evident when one looks at the driving rules in Norway. Here are some important takeaways from the Norwegian driving regulations:

• Dipped headlights are a must when driving in the daytime as well as in towns. You must always have the lights on to ensure that everyone else can see you, even in the daytime. 

• Don’t use horns unnecessarily. It’s only there to help avoid accidents and increase road safety.

• Driving under the influence is when you have a blood-alcohol level of 0.02% and is illegal.

• Children up to 135 centimeters tall must sit in appropriate child restraints. If they’re between 135 and 150 centimeters tall, they may use adult seatbelts if they sit on booster seats.

• Specific tires for summer and winter are necessary. Tires with good grip are essential in the winter in Norway, while tires with nubs are not allowed in the summer.

• The Norway speed limits are up to 110 km/h on the highway and up to 80km/h on other roads. Speeding fines are expensive, so we recommend sticking to the limits.

• Read the signs when parking in Norway. If you are parked illegally, the car might be towed away, regardless of whether it is a motorhome or a normal passenger car.

• Pedestrians and cyclists generally have the right of way. This doesn’t mean that pedestrians run over the Norwegian highway, but rather that you must slow down and stop at zebra crossings for pedestrians as well as be mindful of cyclists.

• What should not have to be said is that you can’t be driving in Norway without a license. Norway accepts most driver’s credentials from around the world, so don’t worry if you are driving in Norway with a US license. You will be completely fine as long as you’re older than 19.

Emergency Numbers for Roadside Assistance in Norway

The most important number to know on your Norway driving adventure is 112. This is the general emergency number you should call first if there has been a serious accident or you need the police, fire department, or an ambulance. Remember that Norway has universal healthcare, so all emergency help is free.

Roadside assistance in Norway is not universal, so check with your rental company which ones they cover. The largest roadside assistance companies are NAF, Falck, and Viking.

Driving in Norway: Easy if You Follow Our Advice

Taking a drive in Norway is going to be one of the best ways for you to experience this country. After reading this article, you are equipped with all the knowledge to confidently take charge of your Norwegian road trip. All you have to do now is rent a motorhome in Norway and begin an unforgettable holiday!