Norway Theory Test - Category B cheat sheet

Norwegian speed limits unless signed otherwise: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside built-up areas, 90 km/h on motorways (100 km/h where signed on some motorway stretches).

Priority road sign (yellow diamond) gives right of way at the next junctions until a cancellation sign (same diamond with a diagonal black stripe) appears.

Yield sign (inverted triangle) means you must give way to traffic on the intersecting road and to pedestrians crossing that road; it does not require a full stop unless traffic demands it.

Stop sign requires a complete stop at the stop line or, if none, at the edge of the intersecting road, regardless of whether traffic is visible.

Regulatory signs are circular: red ring = prohibition or restriction, blue circle = mandatory direction or minimum requirement; triangular signs are warnings.

Direction signs on public roads are yellow with black text; blue signs indicate motorway or European route guidance; brown signs indicate tourist attractions.

A solid white centre line must not be crossed; a broken line may be crossed when overtaking is safe and permitted; double solid lines prohibit overtaking in both directions.

Signals from uniformed police override signs, road markings and traffic lights; traffic light failure defaults to the signposted priority or, if none, the right-hand rule.

Tram has priority over other traffic at junctions unless signs or signals indicate otherwise; you must not block tram rails or a level crossing while queued.

Right-hand rule (høyreregel): at an unsigned, uncontrolled junction you must give way to vehicles approaching from your right.

The right-hand rule is cancelled where a priority road, yield sign, stop sign or traffic light controls the junction; the signposted priority then governs.

Turning left: you must give way to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right, and to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road you are entering.

Turning right: you must give way to pedestrians and cyclists continuing straight on the road you are leaving and on the road you enter.

Entering a roundabout: yield to traffic already circulating; vehicles inside the roundabout have priority unless signs state otherwise (Norway uses yield-on-entry, not priority-to-the-right inside).

Exiting a private road, petrol station, car park or property: you must give way to all traffic on the public road, including pedestrians and cyclists on the footway/cycle path.

Reversing, U-turns and lane changes require you to give way to all other road users; a vehicle already established in the lane has priority.

At a T-junction the road ending must yield; if unsigned, the right-hand rule still applies to traffic on the through road.

Blocked junction: do not enter an intersection unless you can clear it, even on green, to avoid blocking cross traffic and pedestrian crossings.

Reaction distance = speed (m/s) × reaction time; at 80 km/h (22.2 m/s) with 1 s reaction time the car travels about 22 m before braking begins.

Braking distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed quadruples braking distance (all else equal).

Wet road roughly doubles braking distance; snow/ice can multiply it by 4–10 depending on tyres and temperature.

Rule of thumb total stopping distance at 80 km/h on dry asphalt: about 55–60 m (≈ reaction 22 m + braking ≈ 35 m).

Three-second rule for following distance in dry conditions; extend to 6 s or more on wet roads and to 10 s or more on ice/snow.

Minimum legal following distance is not a fixed metre value in Norway; the requirement is that you can stop before hitting the vehicle ahead if it brakes suddenly.

Speed limits are maximums, not targets: adjust below the limit for visibility, surface, load, curve radius and vulnerable road users.

At pedestrian crossings, reduce speed so you can stop if someone steps out; overtaking is prohibited immediately before and on a pedestrian crossing.

Scan 12–15 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20–30 seconds ahead on rural roads; keep eyes moving between mirrors, instruments and the road.

Identify a developing hazard early (child near kerb, parked car with brake lights, cyclist wobbling) and cover the brake before the hazard becomes an emergency.

Escape route principle: always know where you would steer if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly - usually the shoulder or an adjacent lane gap.

Do not rely on being seen: check blind spots by shoulder check before lane changes; a lorry driver's blind spot can hide a whole car.

Use the hazard warning lights only to warn of an immediate danger or a stationary breakdown; not as a parking or thank-you signal.

Overtaking requires clear sight distance, no oncoming traffic, no solid line, and enough road to return before the next crest or curve; abort if in doubt.

Fatigue, rain, low sun and darkness all reduce hazard detection; reduce speed and increase following distance when any of these apply.

Anticipate at junctions: a car waiting at a side road may pull out; a car indicating left may still go straight; treat indicators as intent, not guarantee.

In tunnels, keep the same distance as on open road, know the emergency exits and use dipped headlights; never turn around inside a tunnel.

Legal minimum tread depth in Norway: 1.6 mm in summer; winter tyres must have at least 3 mm tread depth during the winter tyre period (roughly 1 November – first Monday after Easter).

Winter tyres (M+S or Nordic friction/studded) are compulsory in winter conditions; studded tyres are allowed from 1 November to the first Monday after Easter (longer in northern counties).

Tyre pressure should be checked cold, at least monthly, and adjusted for load; under-inflation increases fuel use, wear and blowout risk.

Minimum tyre pressure and load rating are printed on the tyre sidewall and in the vehicle's manual/tyre placard; never mix radial and cross-ply tyres on the same axle.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture; replace per manufacturer interval (typically every 2 years) and check level when the brake warning light appears.

Engine oil level should be between min and max on the dipstick with the engine cold or after 5 minutes off; low oil risks engine damage.

Coolant, washer fluid and lights must be checked regularly; a failed brake light or headlight is a defect that can fail the EU/Norwegian periodic inspection (EU-kontroll).

EU-kontroll (periodic roadworthiness test) is required at 4 years after first registration, then every 2 years; the vehicle must be roadworthy at all times regardless of test date.

Warning lights: red = stop safely and investigate (oil pressure, brakes, coolant); amber = caution, check soon; never ignore a red brake or oil light.

Winter tyre period: winter tyres compulsory when conditions demand it; studded tyres permitted roughly 1 November to first Monday after Easter (extended dates in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark).

On ice and packed snow, braking distance can be 4–10 times the dry-asphalt distance; reduce speed by at least half and increase following distance to 10 s or more.

Use engine braking and gentle, progressive inputs on slippery surfaces; avoid sudden steering, hard braking or abrupt acceleration.

Dipped headlights are mandatory at all times in Norway; in tunnels and dusk use them, and use rear fog lights only when visibility is seriously reduced (glare risk).

Norwegian roads include single-lane bridges, narrow mountain passes and ferries: yield to oncoming traffic where signed and follow ferry crew instructions.

On mountain roads (fjellovergang), check road status (e.g. Vegvesenet/175) before driving; kolonnekjøring (convoy driving) may be enforced in bad weather.

Snow chains or studded tyres may be required on certain steep or mountain sections when signed; obey temporary signs even if your normal tyres are legal.

Clear snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights and roof before driving; loose snow from the roof is a hazard to following traffic and can be fined.

Black ice forms most often on bridges, shaded stretches, valley bottoms and around 0 °C; reduce speed where the surface looks dark and glossy.

Norway's legal alcohol limit is 0.2 per mille (0.02 % BAC) - effectively zero tolerance; any alcohol above this is a criminal offence.

Refusing a breath or blood test is an offence; police may test without suspicion at roadside checks.

Driving under the influence of drugs or medication that impairs you is illegal even if prescribed; check the package leaflet for driving warnings.

Penalties for drink-driving include fines based on income, licence suspension, possible imprisonment and a mandatory course; repeat offences escalate.

Fatigue is a major crash cause: after 2 hours of driving take a break; symptoms include yawning, drifting, heavy eyes and missed signs - stop and rest, coffee is not a substitute for sleep.

Do not drive when sleep-deprived, ill, or after night shifts; the risk of microsleep rises between 02:00–06:00 and 14:00–16:00.

Medical fitness: report conditions that affect driving (epilepsy, vision, diabetes with hypoglycaemia risk, heart conditions) to the authorities; licence conditions may apply.

Vision requirements: minimum acuity and field of view apply; wear prescribed glasses or contact lenses and keep a spare pair if required.

Prescription medicines with a red warning triangle on the leaflet may impair driving; ask the pharmacist or doctor before driving.

At a crash scene: secure the scene first (hazard lights, warning triangle at least 50–100 m behind, high-visibility vest), then call 113 for ambulance, 110 for fire, 112 for police.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic, drowning); keep them still and warm to avoid worsening spinal injuries.

Check airway, breathing and circulation; start CPR (30 compressions : 2 breaths) if breathing is absent, and use an AED as soon as available.

Stop severe bleeding with direct pressure and, if possible, a clean dressing; do not remove embedded objects.

Treat for shock: lay the person flat, raise legs if no spinal or leg injury, keep warm and reassure; monitor breathing until help arrives.

Give the emergency operator: location (road number, kilometre marker, GPS), number of injured, hazards, and your phone number; stay on the line.

Breakdown: move off the carriageway, hazard lights on, occupants behind the barrier or well off the road, warning triangle placed only where safe.

In a tunnel fire: drive out if possible; if not, stop, leave keys in ignition, evacuate to the nearest emergency exit and follow signage.

Report any crash involving injury or significant damage to the police; leaving the scene of a personal-injury crash is a criminal offence.

You must carry a valid driving licence for the category you are driving; police may demand to see it and it must be produced on request.

The vehicle must have valid motor third-party liability insurance (ansvarsforsikring) - mandatory by law; driving uninsured is an offence.

Vehicle registration document (vognkort) should be available in the vehicle or accessible; it shows owner, technical data and any restrictions.

Annual road tax (årsavgift) and any toll obligations must be paid; unpaid fees can lead to registration suspension or collection.

EU-kontroll (periodic inspection) must be current; driving a vehicle with an expired inspection can result in fines and use restrictions.

Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants; children under 135 cm and under 150 cm (depending on seat) must use an approved child restraint appropriate to weight/height.

Report changes of name/address and vehicle ownership to the authorities; the registered owner is responsible for the vehicle's legal status.

After a crash, exchange details with the other party (name, address, insurance company, registration) and complete a European accident statement if applicable.

Driving without a valid licence or while disqualified is a criminal offence with severe penalties, including imprisonment.

Eco-driving reduces fuel use by 10–20 %: accelerate smoothly, shift up early (around 2,000 rpm in petrol, 1,500–2,000 rpm in diesel), and keep steady speed.

Anticipate traffic and use engine braking instead of late braking; every unnecessary acceleration costs fuel.

Remove roof racks and excess load when not needed - aerodynamic drag and weight increase consumption significantly at higher speeds.

Correct tyre pressure and regular servicing reduce fuel use and emissions; under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance.

Idling wastes fuel and pollutes: switch off the engine when stationary for more than about 1 minute (unless in traffic where restart is unsafe).

Plan routes to avoid congestion and combine errands; cold starts use more fuel, so short trips in a cold engine are disproportionately polluting.

Electric and hybrid vehicles: regenerative braking recovers energy; smooth driving maximises range; charging infrastructure is widespread in Norway.

Considerate driving: avoid unnecessary horn use, do not spray pedestrians with water, dim headlights for oncoming traffic and give cyclists and pedestrians space.

Noise matters: avoid revving in residential areas and respect quiet zones, especially at night.

Risk homeostasis: perceived safety (e.g. studded tyres, ABS, 4WD) can lead to riskier behaviour; technology does not replace caution.

Young drivers (17–24) are over-represented in crashes; the main factors are inexperience, speed, night driving and peer passengers.

Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children, elderly) have less protection; give them extra space and time.

Overtaking a cyclist: leave at least 1.5 m lateral clearance at speeds up to 50 km/h and more at higher speeds; do not overtake if you cannot give that space.

Aggressive behaviour (tailgating, horn abuse, cutting in) increases crash risk and can be prosecuted; stay calm and do not retaliate.

Peer pressure and mobile phone use are major distractions; using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal and fines are significant.

At pedestrian crossings, stop for anyone waiting or about to cross; do not wave pedestrians across if other lanes may not stop.

Interaction with heavy vehicles: they have large blind spots and long stopping distances; do not cut in front of a lorry or bus.

Self-assessment: overconfidence is a leading cause of crashes; regularly review your own near-misses and adjust behaviour.