Can you use a foreign driving license in Norway? Find out the rules here.
As with most things about moving to Norway, the rules on driving licences depend on your country of citizenship, or more specifically, the country that issued your licence.
European citizens
First things first, if you have a licence from an EU or EEA country, it can be used in Norway with no hassle for as long as it is valid. This applies whether you are visiting or have relocated here.
They can also be exchanged for a Norwegian driving licence without any tests. Once you have exchanged it, your foreign licence will be returned to the issuing country, and your new Norwegian licence will be valid in all EU/EEA countries.
To do this, you must go in person to a driver and vehicle licensing office or submit your application by post.
Everyone else
You may use your valid driving licence from any country for up to three months in Norway, whether you are just visiting or are planning to stay.
An international driving permit is required as a supplement to licences from some countries. All Norwegian rules of the road must also be obeyed, including age restrictions.
If you are planning to relocate to Norway from a non-EU/EEA country, the precise rules depend on which country has issued your licence.
If you have a driving licence from Japan or Switzerland, you can exchange it for a Norwegian one without having to sit a practical test as long as you do it within one year of relocation.
Citizens of some countries can exchange their licence for a Norwegian one upon passing a practical driving test, but this must be done within one year of relocation. These countries are: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea and the USA.
Read more: Winter driving in Norway
If you miss the deadline, you must take mandatory training and pass both a theory test and practical test. The exchange must be completed within two years, at the latest, of acquiring a permanent address in Norway.
For everyone else, you have to obtain a Norwegian driving licence in the same way as any first-time Norwegian applicant.
You will be able to skip some of the basic training, but you must still complete the compulsory elements such as night driving instruction, first aid and accident training, along with passing the theory and practical tests.
Further information about the right to drive in Norway can be obtained from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
Please will I be permitted to driving with my international driving license. Am from Ghana West Africa
Unfortunately, no.
Yes, You may use your valid driving licence from any country for up to three months in Norway, whether you are just visiting or are planning to stay.
Hi Inder
Would you be able to drive for another 3 months every time you leave Norway, supposedly also just for a day trip?
Thanks
Hi all,
What if you exchanged a USA license for a danish license, can you drive with it in Norway?
I”m a Malaysian and hold a valid driving license, do I need an international driving license to drive in Norway for my 8 days vacation?
I have valid driver’s licenses from India, United Arab Emirates and Oman. Would I be able to exchange one of these?
Where do I go to renew a Norwegian Driving Licence in Bergen?
I have one that expires 26 September 2018
Do US drivers need an international permit?
you can use your American DL up to 3 month and if you are staying longer then you need to pass a driving test and get a Norwegian license. I hope this helped š
Can i use Bangladeshi Licence here in Oslo?
Or if i have to issue another licence here, will i get any support as i have Bangladeshi licence ?
When applying for a Norwegian license will I be required to revoke/surrender my United States license ā or am I allowed to retain my home country’s license while also holding a Norwegian license?
I just applied for a Norwegian DL. They”confiscated” my US DL. I don’t know the logic behind it. It is not so much different than confiscating your passport. US DL is considered as a legal ID in the USA. Meanwhile they left me without DL until the process is concluded which can take several weeks. I stopped looking for a logic in Norwegian intelligence. Next time I visit the US I’ll have to apply for a new US DL and tell them that it was lost. Also you are required to pass a practical driving test which you must pay kr. 1180,-. Basically the entire story is like a practical joke to me.
“confiscation” – LOL. You are exchanging your US driving license for a Norwegian one. That is how the process works. If you don’t like it, you can go through the entire process from scratch in Norway. FYI, the process is MUCH more complicated for a foreigner moving to the US.
Iām Filipino citizen with a family visa. Can I convert my driver license in Hongkong here in Norway?
I have a Ugandan driving license, can I drive in Norway?
What should I do to get a Norwegian driving license?
Hey mate,
I lived in Norway for about 5 years, then moved back home to Australia which ive been for 6 years. Im thinking of moving back to Norway. But my problem is i never changed my licence from Australia to Norway (never needed to drive). So wondering if i moved back now would i have to do the whole practical and theory test?
On another idea, if i acquired a UK licence (i have a UK passport) and then moved there would i not have to worry about changing it at all?
Thanks
Hi Liam
I am in a similar position to you. Did you end up trying to exchange your license? What happened?
Thanks
Do they still require a road test if you’re from an approved country outside the EU? This page: https://www.vegvesen.no/en/driving-licences/driving-licence-holders/driving-licences-in-norway-and-abroad/exchanging-non-eueea-driving-licences/ mentions the steps for exchanging your license, but doesn’t seem to make any mention of a practical test if you’re from those countries. They mention additional requirements if you’re from a country not on that list.
Can a 16 year old with a valid USA license still drive in Norway for the allotted 3 months?
No, theres a 18 year old limit for driving a car in general. The only times when someone younger can drive is if they are practicing, but requires a spesific L sign on the back of the car and someone above the age 25 who has driven for atleast 5 years combined. You also need to go through “traffikalt grunnkurs” which i dont know how easy for foreigners to get into. So in reality no you gotta be 18.