A vacation in Norway is at the top of the list for many caravan and motorhome travelers. The variety of landscapes makes the Scandinavian country a popular destination for a road trip. Whether you take the ferry or travel overland from Germany to Norway, you can be in the country in no time at all. Before you set off, however, you should familiarize yourself with the applicable traffic regulations in Norway. What is the speed limit in Norway and how does the toll actually work? In the following, I will give you an insight into driving a car and motorhome in Norway.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- Maximum speeds in Norway
- Parking in Norway
- Dimensions of the vehicle and trailer size
- Tolls in Norway
- Blood alcohol limit Norway
- High visibility vests in Norway
- Low emission zones in Norway
- Summer tires, winter tires and snow chains in Norway
- Emergency numbers in Norway
- Driving with children in Norway
- Other traffic rules in Norway
- Good to know
Maximum speeds in Norway
There are also speed limits in Norway. But how fast can I drive in Norway? You can find an overview here:
Speed limit in Norway for cars and motorhomes up to 3.5 t:
- In urban areas 50 km/h
- Out of town 80 km/h
- Expressways: 90 km/h (100 km/h according to signs)
- Freeways: 90 km/h (100 km/h according to signs)
Maximum speed in Norway for motorhomes over 3.5 t up to 7.5 t:
- In urban areas 50 km/h
- Out of town 80 km/h
- Expressways: 80 km/h
- Freeways: 80 km/h
Speed limit in Norway for caravan-trailer combinations up to 3.5 t:
- In urban areas 50 km/h
- Out of town 80 km/h
- Expressways: 80 km/h
- Freeways: 80 km/h
In Norway, exceeding the speed limit can result in a hefty fine. The minimum fine is 80 euros.
Parking in Norway
There are special regulations in Norway not only for driving, but also for parking. I have compiled the most important ones for you here:
- A distance of at least five meters must be maintained from intersections, crosswalks and railroad crossings.
- General parking ban on roads where the speed limit is 50 km/h.
- Some stop or no parking signs indicate the times at which this regulation applies.
Dimensions of the vehicle and trailer size
In Norway, the maximum width for vehicles/trailers/caravans (with load) is 2.55 meters. The maximum height is 4 meters. The combination of car and trailer may generally not exceed a maximum length of 19.50 meters. There are exceptions on some secondary roads, so that a maximum length of 12.40 meters or even 15 meters is sometimes specified as the maximum length. An exception to the dimensions is only possible after approval. These traffic regulations apply to both locals and tourists. Only agricultural and forestry vehicles are exempt from the regulations.
attention
Attention, if the load or the trailer protrudes 40-50 centimeters beyond the maximum, spotlights must be attached to the exterior mirrors. The light must shine white in the direction of travel and red to the rear.
Tolls in Norway
Some roads, tunnels and bridges in Norway are subject to tolls. The routes subject to tolls may change regularly. As a rule, you cannot pay tolls in Norway at toll stations. The process is fully automatic. One exception is the Atlanterhavstunnel between Kristiansund and Averøy. Here you have to pay the toll on site in cash or by card.
In Bærum, Bergen, Bodø, Førde, Grenland, Harstad, Haugesund, Kristiansand, Namsos, Nord-Jæren, Oslo and Trondheim there is a so-called city toll. The tolls are charged 24 hours a day and the amount depends on the time of day.
In Norway, a distinction is made between tolls for vehicles up to 3.5 t and over 3.5 t, with the toll for over 3.5 t being significantly higher. Especially if you are traveling with a motorhome over 3.5 t, you should familiarize yourself with the AutoPass automatic payment system. This gives you the opportunity to save a lot on toll charges. An alternative automatic payment system is BroBizz.
You can find out more about paying the toll, automatic payment systems and special features in the article“Tolls and vignettes in Europe“.
Blood alcohol limit Norway
In Norway, 0.2 per mille is the upper limit in road traffic. Failure to comply with the traffic regulations is really expensive in Norway and is punishable by a fine of at least 520 euros.
High visibility vests in Norway
In Norway, there is no obligation for foreign vehicles to wear a high-visibility vest. Only vehicles registered in Norway – including rental cars – must have a high-visibility vest on board. In this case, the safety vest must be accessible from the driver’s seat. However, for your own safety, you should check that you have at least one high-visibility vest in the vehicle – preferably one for each occupant.
In addition to the high-visibility vests, you should also carry a warning triangle and a first-aid kit in your vehicle for safety reasons!
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Low emission zones in Norway
There are no classic environmental zones in Norway as you know them from Germany. However, in Oslo and Bergen there is a so-called“air pollution alert” if the limit values are exceeded. In this case, diesel vehicles are banned from driving in Oslo between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., while in Bergen the toll is (automatically) increased instead and only certain cars are banned from driving.
Summer tires, winter tires and snow chains in Norway
Anyone who knows the roads in Norway knows that there are steep gradients and numerous bends. It is therefore essential to check your brakes and tires before setting off. In Norway, for example, there is a regulation that summer tires must have a tread of at least 1.6 mm. In winter, the standard value is at least 3 mm.
Snow is not uncommon in Norway. Accordingly, you should have snow chains on board, especially with a motorhome over 3.5 tons, until spring and from autumn onwards. Snow chains are compulsory for heavy vehicles in snowy conditions. Studded tires may generally be used from the beginning of November until Easter, and in certain northern regions until May 1st.
Emergency numbers in Norway
Info
European emergency number: 112
Police: 112
Fire brigade: 110
Emergency doctor/ambulance: 113
Sea rescue: 120
From cell phone: Norwegian area code 0047 + emergency number
ADAC breakdown assistance: 0049 89 22 22 22
Driving with children in Norway
Children up to 1.35 meters or under 36 kg must be seated in a child seat that corresponds to their weight and height (ECE regulation no. 44/03 or following).
Other traffic rules in Norway
- Seat belts are compulsory in Norway.
- It is forbidden for the driver to use a cell phone while driving.
- In Norway, dipped headlights must be used at all times.
- Smoking is prohibited for drivers within built-up areas.
- The use of speed camera warning devices (e.g. speed camera apps or special navigation devices) is prohibited in Norway. If you are caught, you can expect a fine of 1,000 euros or more and confiscation of your device.
- Streetcars always have right of way.
- Warning signs for game crossing should always be observed.
Good to know
- Due to the narrow, steep roads, the brakes should be checked more frequently.
- No red/white warning sign for the bicycle carrier on the motorhome is yet mandatory.
- In Norway, a breakaway cable / safety cable is not mandatory for caravans. You can find out more about“Breakaway cable” here.
- Every country has its own special traffic signs. Norway also has its own special features. Here you will find an overview of all traffic signs that are used in Norway.
- Fines are extremely expensive in Norway.
I hope you found this overview of traffic rules in Norway helpful. As you can see, the traffic regulations in Norway are generally very similar to those in Germany. Nevertheless, some information about driving and safety there is certainly interesting to know. I wish you good and safe motorhome or car driving in Norway.
All information is as of January 2020.
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