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How long can I drive a foreign-registered car in Norway?

Visitors, temporary stays, residents, borrowed cars and Swedish plates.

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Short answer

If you live abroad, you can use a foreign-registered car in Norway during a temporary stay, with no permit needed for documented stays of up to one year. People who live permanently in Norway may, as a rule, not drive one, apart from certain cases that must be reported to Skatteetaten in advance.

a small car on a winding mountain road with a toll gantry and a snowflake road sign

Why

  1. Skatteetaten says that if you can document a permanent residence outside Norway, you can bring in and temporarily use a foreign-registered car without paying Norwegian vehicle duties.
  2. For a temporary stay of up to two years, you must apply for a driving permit for the second year within one year of arriving in Norway.
  3. Info Norden, the Nordic Council of Ministers' information service, says people permanently resident in Norway as a rule cannot drive a foreign-registered vehicle in Norway.

Details

Skatteetaten has separate schemes for a privately borrowed foreign car, for up to 25 days in a 12-month period, and for short-term use, for up to 14 days in 12 months; both must be reported before the vehicle enters Norway. You may leave the car in Norway for up to 6 weeks per 12 months. The rules cover cars, vans, motorhomes, motorcycles and ATVs, and if you break them you must pay the duties and risk additional tax.

Tip

Keep documents that show where you live with you, since Skatteetaten says you must be able to document at all times that you meet the conditions.

What may differ

A Swedish-registered car follows the same rules as any other foreign-registered car. If you move to Norway permanently, you must import the car and pay the duties, but you can apply for a temporary driving permit for up to 14 days when moving.

People also ask

  • Can I drive a foreign car in Norway?
  • Can I drive a Swedish-registered car in Norway?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Skatteetaten before you travel.