❄️ Winter driving: studded/friction tyres, lights, distance 🚗
Tyre types and regional nuances
Basic rules, in brief:
● Winter tyres (studded or friction) — depending on the weather. In summer (from the first Sunday after Easter to 1 November), the minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm; in winter, it is ≥ 3 mm. Summer tyres are prohibited on winter roads (snow/ice) as they do not provide sufficient grip.
● Studded tyres (piggdekk). Permitted: 1 November → first Sunday after Easter (South/Centre); 16 October → 30 April (Nordland, Troms, Finnmark). Outside these dates — only if conditions require it. If you use studs, they must be fitted to all wheels. Friction tyres (studless) are permitted all year round.
● Why do cities charge for studded tyres? Studded tyres cause dust and damage the asphalt, which worsens air quality; that is why Oslo and Bergen charge for studded tyres during the season. In Oslo, the 2025/26 season is from 1 November 2025 to 27 April 2026 (there are daily/monthly/seasonal tags; tags from a number of other cities are also valid). In Bergen, the 2024/25 season was 1 November 2024 to 27 April 2025; dates for the next season are published by the municipality in advance — check before you travel.
How to choose the right type for your trip?
● Studded tyres — when you expect pure ice/skating conditions, frequent freezing temperatures and sudden changes in temperature (often in coastal cities and mountain passes).
● Friction — quieter, more environmentally friendly, more stable on snow/slush, but inferior to studs on bare ice.
● If you are unsure about the conditions, refer to the official weather/traffic camera reports and choose the most "conservative" option (see the "Vegvesen trafikk" app below).
Lights/distance/speed
● Low beams — always. In Norway, low beams are mandatory all year round, even during the day (DRL is sufficient, but on many cars the rear lights in "AUTO" mode do not turn on — check manually at dusk/in fog).
● What not to combine. Low beams cannot be turned on together with fog lights; front fog lights can replace DRL during the day, but not together with low beams.
● Distance and speed. Increase the interval by 2–3 times, avoid sudden manoeuvres/braking, and do not use cruise control on patchy ice. This is not a "letter of the law" but a safe practice for slippery surfaces.
● Tyres and pressure. Check the pressure at sub-zero temperatures; different axles may have different wear — try to have the same type of tyres on all wheels (this is a rule for studded tyres).
"Time buffer": plan +30–50% for your winter route
● Why more time? Slippery roads, "winter" queues for ferries/tunnels, traffic jams on mountain passes, cleaning and accidents all slow things down.
● Where to check the situation. The official Statens vegvesen service — web map and mobile app Vegvesen trafikk: shows closures, cameras, weather, pass status, ferries, bridges/tunnels, and allows you to enable notifications for routes/areas/passes.
● Where to call in case of road emergencies. In case of a dangerous situation (flooding, obstacles), call 175 (Traffic Control Centre).
Parking pockets and stops along the way
● Stop where it is safe: at rasteplasser (rest areas) and official parking areas — these are marked on Vegvesen trafikk. These are ideal places to clean your windows/headlights, rest and check your tyres.
● Tunnels and roadsides. Emergency pockets in tunnels should only be used when necessary. On an uncleared narrow roadside, you risk getting stuck or having your rear end exposed — it is better to drive to the nearest parking area.
Plan B (if there is heavy snow/ice)
● Postpone or shorten your journey. It is often enough to leave later/earlier than the peak of the precipitation or choose a flat alternative route.
● Switch to a train or bus. In Norwegian winters, a number of roads are closed or subject to convoy driving — check the status and cameras at Vegvesen trafikk. If the forecast is bad, consider taking the train or a regional bus and postpone your car journey.
This overview does not replace instruction/legal/medical advice. Check local rules/warnings before setting off.
Found an inaccuracy or change? Write to us and we will update the material.
FAQ
When bare ice, frequent "freezing temperatures" around 0°C and icing are expected, and routes pass through mountain passes/coastal roads. Remember the dates of the permitted period; outside this period, studded tyres are only permitted under certain conditions. And always use studded tyres on all wheels
Add +30–50% to your "summer" ETA, set alerts in Vegvesen trafikk for your route/passes, check cameras and storm warnings. For long stretches, plan your stops on rasteplasser.
Reduce speed, keep a "clear" corridor around the car, do not use cruise control, turn on low beam and rear lights (if "AUTO" does not turn them on), change your route to a flat one or postpone your trip. Check closures/traffic jams on the official service and be prepared to switch to a train/bus
Yes. Oslo and Bergen charge a fee for the use of studded tyres during the season. In Oslo, the 2025/26 season is from 1 November 2025 to 27 April 2026; in Bergen, the 2024/25 season was from 1 November to 27 April (new dates are published before the season). You can pay daily/monthly/seasonally; transit through Oslo also requires a tag.
For passenger cars (≤ 3.5 tonnes), there is no obligation to carry chains, but you must ensure sufficient traction and may use chains if necessary. For heavy vehicles (> 3.5 tonnes), separate requirements apply (including the obligation to have chains when snow/ice is expected .
The same minimum tread depths apply to trailers (in winter ≥ 3 mm; in summer ≥ 1.6 mm). On winter roads, appropriate seasonal tyres must be used.
Yes, dipped headlights are always required, even at midday in summer. Check that the rear lights also come on at dusk/in fog.
