Travelling by car in Norway is an extremely rewarding experience. The roads are uncrowded and you'll frequently come across some of the most dramatic and beautiful scenery in the world.

Special traffic rules:

• Remember to drive in the right-hand lane in Norway.

• It is obligatory for all vehicles to drive with dipped headlights at all times, even on the brightest summer day. This includes motorcycles and mopeds. Do not forget that right-hand drive cars will require black adhesive triangles, usually supplied by the ferry company you travel with, or clip-on beam deflectors, so as not to dazzle oncoming drivers.
  Carrying spare headlight bulbs is recommended.

• Seat belts are compulsory.

• All children must be firmly strapped in using approved safety equipment that matches their age, size and weight. Children under 4 years must have their own seat or safety restraint (babies in a cot). Children over 4 years can use normal seat.

• The law dictates that you carry a red warning triangle to place behind your car in case of a breakdown. All cars must be equipped with hazard lights.

• There is no need for an International Driving Licence. A valid EU/EEA driving licence is valid in Norway. You will also need your registration documents.

• Third party insurance is compulsory and green cards are highly recommended. Without it, visitors with motor insurance in their own countries are allowed the minimum legal cover. The Green Card tops this up to the level of cover provided by the visitor's own policy.

• Driving motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or medication is not permitted. Greater concentration of alcohol in the blood than 2 milligrams per millilitre (2‰) is automatically regarded as intoxication. There are severe penalties for drink-driving.

• Petrol stations are numerous, but you are well advised not to leave tanking up until the last minute, as opening hours vary greatly. Not all petrol stations accept credit cards, so make sure you bring cash just in case. Leaded petrol is not available in Norway but lead replacement petrol is widely available.

• On some roads, bridges and underwater tunnels and in certain cities you are obliged to pay a toll. This is a way of financing the building of new roads, bridges and tunnels. The prices vary from NOK 20,- to NOK 150,-.

• There are a good many picnic spots along the roads in Norway. They are meant for picnics, short stops, rest and public conveniences, and should not be used for overnight stays. Campsites are provided for camping. Keep picnic spots tidy.

• You will find that narrow roads will have "meeting points" at the side of the road. When the space is on your side of the road, you are obliged to stop for any oncoming vehicles.

• When going over mountain passes there are often very long downhill stretches. To avoid that brakes overheat, drive in a low gear. This means you will not have to brake so hard, and that brakes will not heat up so quickly.
  When driving up steep slopes the car is required to work hard. Keep an eye on the car's temperaturegauge, because the car can quickly overheat.

• There must be a minimum of 1.6 mm tread on summer tyres and a minimum of 3.0 mm on winter tyres.

• According to the Norwegian traffic regulations, vehicles must not be used unless they have sufficient road grip for the road surface. During the winter, you must drive with winter tyres with or without studs. All-year tyres can also be used.
  Use of studded tyres is allowed from 1st November to 15th April. In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark studded tyres are allowed during the period  15th October to 1st May. Studded tyres may also be used outside these periods if the weather and road surface conditions make it necessary.
  If studded tyres are fitted to a car weighing under 3.5 tonnes, they must be fitted to all four wheels.
  Vehicles with a permitted total weight of 3.5 tonnes or more, must carry snow chains if ice or snow is expected on the road. These snow chains must fit the vehicle's wheels.

• Those who plan to drive by car over the mountains in the autumn, winter or spring would be well advised to check that the mountain pass is open. Some of the high mountain roads are closed for a period during the winter, the duration depending on the weather condition.
  You can obtain this information from the Roads Information Service on telephone 175 (+47 81 54 89 91).

Speed Limits:

In built-up areas speed limits are 50 km/h (31mph).

Outside built-up areas speed limits are 80 km/h (50 mph), or as signposted -  60 or 70 km/h (38 or 43 mph).

Speed limits on motorways are signpostet, normally 90 km/h (56 mph), some places 100 km/h (62 mph)

Motor vehicles with a highest permissible gross weight of more than 3.5 tonnes and motor vehicles towing trailers may not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) even if the local speed limit is higher.

Motor vehicles towing a trailer without brakes with a gross weight of over 300 kilos, may not exceed 60 km/h (38 mph) even if the local speed limit is higher.

The Roads Information Service (Vegmeldingstjenesten):

The Roads Information Service (Vegmeldingstjenesten) is an information centre for the Norwegian Public Roads Administration which gathers information about road, driving and traffic condition throughout the country. Information can also be obtained about distances, routes, ferry timetables and axle loads. Open 24 hours all year.

Telephone: 175 (+47 81 54 89 91).

Emergency telephones:

Fire               - 110

Police           - 112

Ambulance  - 113

Emergency telephones can be found on mountain stretches and in tunnels.

Technical assistance:

If you require salvage or technical assistance with your vehicle you can call the following 24 hour numbers:

NAF       - 810 00 505 (local rate).

Falck Redning   - 02222 (freefone)

Viking Redningstjeneste   - 06000 (freefone)

Emergency telephones can be found on mountain stretches and in tunnels.

NAF (Norges Automobilforbund) patrols Norway's main roads and mountain passes from mid-June to mid-August. The AA and RAC are affiliated to the AIT (Alliance Internationale de Tourisme), so their members get help in Norway from NAF with backup in case of breakdown or accident, as well as journey planning. More comprehensive repairs can be carried out, against payment, at NAF-contracted garages.

For more information:

NAF

Postboks 6682 Etterstad

0609 Oslo

Besøksadresse: Østensjøveien 14

Telefon   : (+47) 22 34 14 00

Telefaks : (+47) 22 33 13 72

Internett : www.naf.no

E-post: medlemsservice@naf.no

For more information about driving in Norway:

Statens vegvesen, Vegdirektoratet

Postboks 8142 Dep.

N-0033 Oslo

Besøksadresse: Brynsengfaret 6A, 0667 Oslo

Telefon   : (+47) 22 07 35 00

Telefaks : (+47) 22 07 37 68

Internett : www.vegvesen.no

E-post: firmapost@vegvesen.no

Useful links:

• Falck Norge AS

• Norges Automobilforbund (NAF)

• Statens Vegvesen

• Veg- og Trafikkinformasjon fra Statens Vegvesen

• Viking Redningstjeneste

• Norwegian Tourist Board