Driving rules, and the ones that bite.
- Drive onRight
- Motorway limit110 km/h
- Drink drive0.2 g/L · effectively zero
- Emergency112
Norway drives on the right. The motorway speed limit is 110 km/h on limited E6/E18 stretches; 100 km/h otherwise. The emergency number is 112 (police), 113 (ambulance), 110 (fire).
0.2 g/l - effectively zero. Very strictly enforced.
Driving tips
- Speed limits are strictly enforced with speed cameras (fotoboks) and average-speed (streknings-ATK) systems. Fines are very high.
- Tunnels are everywhere, over 1000 of them. Switch to dipped headlights, keep distance, and never stop inside.
- Mountain passes close in winter. Check vegvesen.no before setting off between October and May.
- Ferries are a normal part of driving in the fjord regions. Many take AutoPASS payment automatically.
- Wild animals (elk, reindeer, sheep) on the road are routine in rural areas. Slow down in dawn and dusk, and pay attention to warning signs.
- Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes follow lorry speed limits.
Worth knowing before you go.
Norway's drink-drive limit is one of the lowest in Europe. Random breath tests are common, and penalties start at fines plus a licence ban. A bottle of mid-strength beer can put you over. Plan to drive a full night after drinking.
The toll system, and the city emissions rules.
- TollsDistance 10-15 EUR (varies, includes tunnel tolls)
- VignetteNot required
- Emission zoneYes
Norway uses the AutoPASS electronic toll system on ferries, bridges, tunnels, and many road sections. There are no booths, cameras read your number plate and bill you. Register your UK vehicle with EPC (Euro Parking Collection) at epcplc.com before you travel to get automated billing at the standard rate and ferry discounts. Without registration, you will be posted an invoice at a higher rate.
Oslo and Bergen have urban congestion rings with higher charges at rush hour, also collected via AutoPASS.
Norway does not use a vignette. AutoPASS is the only system.
Low emission zones
Rather than a separate LEZ sticker scheme, Oslo and Bergen bake environmental differentiation into the AutoPASS toll itself. Older diesel vehicles simply pay more per passage during rush hour. No paperwork needed, but budget more if your motorhome is a pre-Euro-6 diesel.
Read our complete guide to motorhome tolls and vignettes in Europe, and our guide to low emission zones.
What to carry, and what to bring.
- Required kit4 items
- Over 3,500 kgspeed stickers, blind-spot stickers
- Documents5 items
- Daytime headlightsRequired
Norway requires a set of kit to be carried in the vehicle. Most of it is cheap and worth having anyway, so pack it before you leave rather than buy it at a roadside price.
- UK Sticker.
- Warning Triangle.
- Reflective Jacket. Carry 1 per occupant.
- Headlight Converters. Carry 1 set.
- Winter Tyres. Carry 4.
- First Aid Kit. Carry Recommended.
- Spare Bulbs. Carry Recommended.
- Towing Mirrors.
Towing a caravan or trailer.
Motorway 80 km/h, rural 80 km/h
Towing a caravan or trailer.
From August 2025, UK trailers over 750 kg need DVLA registration for international travel. Check DVLA guidance before your trip.
Towing a caravan or trailer.
Caravans are charged as part of your combined vehicle class, expect higher toll rates.
Read this before you go.
Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes follow lorry speed limits. Know your vehicle's MAM before you travel.
Documents to bring
For your own vehicle, carry your Passport, UK Photocard Driving Licence, Vehicle Log Book (V5C), Insurance Certificate and Travel Insurance Proof.
For a rental or hire vehicle, you also need your VE103 Certificate, Driving Licence Check Code and International Driving Permit (if you still hold a paper licence).
Gas, electric, and the weekly shop.
- LPG fittingBayonet
- CurrencyNOK
- Emergency112
- Sunday shoppingReduced hours, typically 12:00-16:0...
Norway uses the ACME and Dish fittings for Autogas refills. The LPG network is very limited, only around 20 stations across the country, concentrated along the southern motorway corridors and near the Swedish border. If you rely on a refillable Autogas tank, fill up before entering Norway.
For bottled gas, the main Norwegian brand is Propan (Primagaz). Bottles are available at fuel stations and camping shops but use different fittings to UK Calor.
UK Calor bottles cannot be swapped or exchanged anywhere in Europe. Either carry a 3-piece adapter kit or fit a refillable system before you leave. Read our complete guide to motorhome gas and LPG in Europe.
Electric hook-ups
Norwegian campsites typically offer 10A to 16A hook-ups, which is plenty for most motorhome needs. Standard CEE blue plugs are universal. Voltage is a stable 230V.
Reverse polarity is uncommon in Norway. Campsite bollards are often unlocked, so you can reset a tripped breaker yourself. Many rest areas and small motorhome aires have coin or card-operated power posts.
Read our complete guide to motorhome electric hook-ups in Europe.
Where to shop
Supermarkets here: budget chains are Rema 1000, Kiwi, Coop Extra; mid-range chains are Spar, Coop Mega, Meny; premium chains are Meny+, Jacob's.
Typical opening hours: weekday 07:00 or 09:00 - 22:00 or 23:00; saturday 07:00 or 09:00 - 22:00 or 23:00; sunday Most large stores closed; small "brustad-buer" under 100 sqm may open; supermarkets Beer up to 4.7% ABV (until 20:00 Mon-Fri, 18:00 Sat, never Sunday); vinmonopolet (state monopoly) Wine and spirits only; vinmonopolet hours Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-15:00, closed Sundays and public holidays.
Sunday trading is restricted in Norway. Large supermarkets close, but small corner shops (brustad-buer), bakeries, and petrol stations stay open. Plan your big shop for Saturday.
Norway's alcohol rules are among the strictest in Europe. Expect to pay a lot, spirits are roughly three times UK prices. Use your customs allowance carefully at the border and keep receipts.
- Card and mobile payment (Vipps) are universal. Cash is rarely needed.
- Petrol is expensive, plan fill-ups around major towns and fill before heading into the mountains.
- Pharmacies (Apotek) are the only source for paracetamol and similar medicines.
- Free motorhome overnight stops are common at rest areas (rasteplass) and lay-bys, but follow allemannsretten and move on after one night.
More detail in our guides to gas and LPG and electric hook-ups across Europe.
Taking a dog, and crossing the border.
- SchengenYes
- AHC requiredwithin 10 days
- Tapeworm on UK returnYes
- Dog leadRequired
To take a dog to Norway, the standard pet travel rules apply. The detail below covers what your dog needs.
- AHC required. Yes, issued by your vet within 10 days before entry
- Rabies vaccination. Yes, must be at least 21 days old at the time of travel
- Tapeworm treatment for UK return. Required between 24 hours and 120 hours before you arrive back in the UK, administered by a vet
- Norway-specific. Norway has stricter rabies rules than the EU. Check with your vet whether a titer test is needed; tapeworm treatment is not required on entry to Norway but is required for UK return.
Pack the dog's Dog lead, Water bowl, Vaccination records and AHC.
Norway is not in the EU, so customs is a separate step at the border. Allowances per adult: 1.5 litres wine plus 2 litres beer OR 1 litre spirits plus 1.5 litres wine plus 2 litres beer, plus 200 cigarettes, plus up to 10 kg of meat and dairy. The dairy allowance is notably more generous than EU rules. Above these thresholds, declare and pay duty. Keep receipts in case customs ask. Pet food in unopened original packaging is generally permitted.
Norway is in the Schengen area.
EU member: No. Schengen area: Yes (via the EEA). EES biometric checks: Yes. You will need to register fingerprints and a photo on entry and exit once the system goes live. Customs checks: Yes, food, alcohol, tobacco allowances are checked at the border. Trailer registration (UK): UK trailers over 750 kg require DVLA registration for international travel from August 2025. Allemannsretten: Yes, one night on uncultivated land over 150m from inhabited buildings. Mobile roaming: Norway is outside UK free-roaming zones for most providers. Expect additional charges or buy a local eSIM.
Because Norway is not in the EU, customs officers will ask about meat, dairy, alcohol, and tobacco at the border. Be honest, allowances are reasonable but fines for exceeding them undeclared are steep.
Useful links
- AutoPASS (Tolls)
- EPC (UK vehicle registration for AutoPASS)
- Vegvesen (Road conditions)
- Toll.no (Customs)
See also our complete guides to the Schengen 90-day rule and taking a dog to Europe.
The questions people ask most.
How do I pay tolls in Norway as a UK motorhome driver?
Norway uses the AutoPASS electronic toll system. There are no booths, cameras read your number plate at each toll point. Register your vehicle with EPC (epcplc.com) before the trip for automated billing at the standard rate. Without pre-registration you will get a post-trip invoice from EPC at a higher rate. Expect around NOK 30 to NOK 70 (EUR 3 to EUR 6) per toll crossing, with higher rates in Oslo and Bergen rush hours.
Can I wild camp in a motorhome in Norway?
Yes, within limits. Norway's allemannsretten (right to roam) permits motorhomes to stay one night on uncultivated land at least 150 metres from inhabited buildings. Many lay-bys, rest areas, and fjordside pull-ins tolerate overnight stays. Leave no trace, avoid fires in summer, and move on after one night. Paid campsites are better for longer stays and have full facilities.
Is Norway part of the Schengen area for UK visitors?
Yes. Norway is not in the EU but it is in Schengen via the EEA. For UK visitors the same 90-in-180-day visa-free rule applies and the same EES biometric checks will apply once live. Customs is separate though, expect a check on food, alcohol, and tobacco allowances at the border since Norway is outside EU customs territory.
Can I take my dog to Norway in a motorhome?
Yes, but Norway's rules are slightly stricter than EU countries. Your dog needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (check with your vet whether a titer test is required), and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from your UK vet within 10 days of travel. Tapeworm treatment is not required to enter Norway, but you still need one administered by a vet between 24 hours and 5 days before your return to the UK.