Driving rules in Norway: speed limits, alcohol limit, lights, winter tyres and fines

Updated 30 September 2026. Facts checked against Lovdata (Norwegian law) and the City of Oslo.

Short answer: unless signs say otherwise, the speed limit in Norway is 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h elsewhere. The blood alcohol limit is 0.2 per mille. Dipped headlights or daytime running lights must be on at all times, day and night. You must not stop in a tunnel or park in a passing place. In winter your tyres need at least 3 mm of tread, and studded tyres are banned in summer. Driving 10 km/h too fast costs NOK 3,350.

Key facts

What do you need?

• You are renting a car: see speed limits, headlights and the rental car checklist.
• You are driving in winter: see winter and studded tyres.
• You wonder about a glass of wine with dinner: see the alcohol limit.
• You got a speeding ticket: see 2026 fines.
• You will drive narrow mountain roads: see passing places and tunnels.

What is the speed limit in Norway?

Without signs, the limit is 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h outside them (Road Traffic Act § 6). On motorways the limit can be higher, up to 110 km/h, and it is then always signposted. You must also adapt your speed to the road, surface, visibility and traffic.

• Buses, lorries over 3,500 kg and cars towing a trailer must not exceed 80 km/h, even where the sign shows more (Traffic Rules § 13 no. 4; some motorhomes and buses are exempt).
• In pedestrian streets and home zones you must drive at walking pace.
• Speed is checked with speed cameras and average-speed zones.

What is the drink-driving limit in Norway?

The limit is 0.2 per mille alcohol in the blood, or 0.1 milligram of alcohol per litre of exhaled air. Above that you are always considered impaired (Road Traffic Act § 22). The limit is low, so if you plan to drive, the safest choice is not to drink at all. The law also covers other drugs and some medicines.

Rules for buying alcohol: alcohol in Norway.

Do you need headlights on during the day?

Yes. When driving a motor vehicle, dipped beam, main beam or approved daytime running lights must always be on, around the clock and all year (Traffic Rules § 15 no. 1). Do not dazzle other road users with main beam.

How much is a speeding fine in Norway?

The fixed-penalty rates (fines issued on the spot) were changed on 15 February 2026:

On motorways with a limit of 90 km/h or more, the fine for 36–40 km/h too fast is NOK 16,700. More serious offences are reported to the police and can lead to higher fines and loss of your licence. Source: regulations on fixed penalties in road traffic cases (Norwegian), Lovdata, checked 30.09.2026.

Winter tyres and studded tyres: what are the rules?

• Winter tread depth: cars up to 3,500 kg need at least 3 mm of tread from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday. In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark this applies from 16 October to 30 April. The rest of the year the minimum is 1.6 mm.
• Studded tyres: not allowed from the first Monday after Easter Monday to 31 October, in Northern Norway from 1 May to 15 October, unless road conditions make them necessary. If a car has studded tyres, all wheels must have them.
• Studded-tyre fee: in Oslo you pay to drive with studded tyres from 1 November 2026 to 4 April 2027: NOK 35 per day, NOK 450 per month and NOK 1,400 for the season. Pay in the “Bil i Oslo” app, at piggav.no or at some petrol stations (City of Oslo, checked 30.09.2026). Bergen and Trondheim have their own schemes.
• Snow chains: carry chains if you cross the mountains in winter. A car with studded tyres on one axle may use chains on the other.

Source: Vehicle Use Regulations § 1-4 (Norwegian), Lovdata, checked 30.09.2026.

Driving through tunnels

Norway has many long tunnels, including subsea tunnels. Stopping in a tunnel is prohibited (Traffic Rules § 17 no. 1). Keep a safe distance and keep your lights on. If you break down, switch on the hazard lights, put on a reflective vest and use the tunnel’s emergency phone or call 112.

Narrow roads and passing places

Narrow mountain and fjord roads have passing places marked with an “M” sign. When you see oncoming traffic, pull into the passing place on your side, or stop and wait next to it. Parking in a passing place is prohibited (Traffic Rules § 17 no. 2), so do not use it as a photo stop.

Tolls and ferries

Almost all toll stations are automatic, and rental cars usually have a tag. How it works: AutoPASS and road tolls in Norway.

Rental car checklist

• Ask whether the car has winter tyres with enough tread, and whether they are studded, if you rent between October and April.
• Ask how tolls and ferries are charged.
• Check that the lights are set to “auto” or switched on.
• Keep the reflective vest and warning triangle within reach.
• Save 112 (police), 113 (ambulance) and 110 (fire): emergency numbers in Norway.
• Would you rather travel without a car? See public transport in Norway: train, bus and ferry.

Tyre change and tyre storage in the cities

The listings show address, phone and opening hours. All: Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger.

People also ask

• What is the speed limit in Norway?
• What is the alcohol limit for driving in Norway?
• How much is a speeding ticket in Norway?
• Do you have to drive with headlights on in Norway?
• When do you need winter tyres in Norway?
• When are studded tyres allowed?
• How much is the studded-tyre fee in Oslo?
• Can you stop in a tunnel?
• What is a passing place (møteplass)?
• What should I check when renting a car in Norway?

Sources

All links checked on 30.09.2026. The laws are in Norwegian.

• Lovdata: Road Traffic Act (last amended 01.07.2026), § 6 and § 22
• Lovdata: Traffic Rules, § 13, § 15 and § 17
• Lovdata: Vehicle Use Regulations § 1-4, tyres and studded tyres
• Lovdata: regulations on fixed penalties in road traffic cases (amended 15.02.2026)
• City of Oslo: studded-tyre fee

Reader experiences

What surprised you most on Norwegian roads? Tell us in the comments at the bottom of the page. We use your experiences when we update the guide.