Traffic rules

The most important traffic rules

A short, plain-language summary of the rules you meet most often on the theory test and on the road.

Speed limits

Unless a sign says otherwise, the general speed limit is 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h outside built-up areas. Signs can raise or lower this. The speed limit is a maximum — you must always adapt your speed to the conditions, such as weather, visibility, road surface and traffic.

Right of way

The main rule is the “right-hand rule”: you must yield to traffic coming from your right, unless signs or road markings say otherwise. You also have to yield when leaving a parking area, driveway or property, and when a sign or shark’s-teeth markings tell you to.

Overtaking

As a rule you overtake on the left, and only when you can see far enough ahead and it is safe. Do not overtake just before or inside sharp bends, near the crest of a hill, at pedestrian crossings or in junctions, or where signs or a solid centre line forbid it.

Stopping & parking

Stopping means a short halt; parking is leaving the vehicle or standing still longer than needed for loading or letting people in and out. You may not stop or park where it endangers or unnecessarily hinders others — for example on pedestrian crossings, in tunnels, on the pavement, or too close to a junction or crossing.

  • Do not park within 5 metres before a pedestrian crossing or a junction.
  • Do not block entrances, cycle paths or people with reduced mobility.

Lane position

Keep well to the right in your lane. Change lane only after checking mirrors and blind spot and signalling in good time. In roundabouts, signal right when you are leaving.

Lights

You must drive with lights on around the clock, all year. Use dipped (low) beam so you do not dazzle others, and switch between full and dipped beam according to oncoming traffic and conditions.

Alcohol & seat belts

The legal alcohol limit is 0.2 ‰ — in practice, do not drink and drive. Everyone in the car must wear a seat belt, and children must use an approved child restraint suited to their height and weight.

Note: This is a simplified study summary. The binding rules are the Road Traffic Act and the traffic regulations at lovdata.no and vegvesen.no.

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