The information on this page was collected from public resources and does not constitute legal advice.

Are there any differences in traffic rules in this country compared to Ukrainian ones?

In general, the traffic rules are similar in Norway and Ukraine. Some potential differences:

  • You must give way to a bus when the speed limit is 60 km/h or lower. Whether you are walking, driving or cycling, you must always give way to a tram.
  • The "give way" rule is universal, all drivers must yield to traffic from the right hand side if signs do not indicate otherwise (there is no concept of minor or major road). However, no priority for cars leaving parking lot.
  • Drivers must always yield to pedestrians at zebra crossings (without traffic light).
  • Car horn is only for emergency.
  • Alcohol laws are very strict, and penalties from driving under the influence are severe. The legal limit is 0,02% blood alcohol and applies to the driver of any motorized vehicle.
  • In general, the Norwegian speed limit is 80 kilometres per hour, except for in built-up areas or town centres, where it is 50 kilometres per hour unless otherwise stated. It can be as low as 30 kilometres per hour in residential areas, and as high as 110 kilometres per hour on certain dual carriageways and motorways.
  • During winter, it is mandatory to use winter tires. Your summer tire tread must be at least 1.6 millimetres deep. For winter tires, the minimum is 3 millimetres.

Please note that traffic rules normally are strictly enforced.

More information here mceclip0.png.

Is it possible to drive a car with a Ukrainian driver's license?

Yes, a Ukrainian driving license class B is valid for driving in Norway for one year.

More information here mceclip0.png.

Is it necessary to register the car in the new country of residence?

When you receive a temporary residence permit from the UDI as a refugee from Ukraine, you can use the vehicle for up to 2 years from the residence permit being granted without paying fees.

This applies if you have no previous connection to Norway. This means that you have not resided or been registered in Norway for more than 365 days during the last two years before you were granted the residence permit. Please note that the allocation of an identification-number does not mean that you are registered in the national register.

Please note that you must at all times be able to document that you meet the conditions for using a foreign-registered vehicle in Norway.

In the period from when you enter the country with the vehicle until the residence permit is granted, you can also use the vehicle in Norway without paying taxes.

If you settle in Norway on a permanent basis, you must either pay import duties and register the vehicle in Norway or take the vehicle out of the country again.

Please see more information here mceclip0.png.

Is it possible to drive a car that has Ukrainian registration, but is registered not to the driver, but to another person? What documents are needed for this?

If you are not the owner of the car you are driving, it is useful to carry a written authorization from the actual car owner with you including substantial details, such as the license plate and the insurance number of the car in case authorities might ask for it.

Is it necessary to insure the car in the host country? Is Ukrainian insurance enough?

Every car in Norway must have traffic insurance.

If you can show your Green Card, you have the insurance you need. Green card is an international insurance card that confirms that you have valid liability insurance on your vehicle.

If you do not have a Green Card, you can get the necessary insurance by contacting the customs office when you arrive in Norway. The customs office issue the insurance on behalf of the Traffic

Insurance Association (TFF), and it is now free for 30 days. After 30 days, you must contact the Customs Office again.

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Cars of Ukrainian refugees can get free border insurance until August 2023. You can renew your current insurance by appearing at the customs office. Terms and contact information at the link mceclip0.png at the end of the text (you need to use the Google translator of the site - there is no English language).

What is a vignette? Do Ukrainian drivers need to buy it? How and where can they buy it?

Vignette is not used in Norway. All foreign and domestic vehicles must however pay road tolls in Norway.

You have two payment options when driving in Norway:

  • Register a user agreement and get a toll tag from a toll service provider prior to your arrival to benefit from the discounts available
  • Register with Epass24 mceclip0.png to ensure you pay the correct rate for your vehicle with one easy payment by credit card or invoice

It is not possible to get a toll tag for a private car at Norwegian border crossings. Toll tags are only available at the border for heavy goods vehicles above 3.5 tonnes.

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What are the parking rules?

Parking restrictions are strict but clearly indicated in most Norwegian towns and cities. It is forbidden to park 5m in front of crossovers or side roads.

Metered parking is common during weekdays along city streets as well as in many parking lots. Parking garages (P-hus) are also commonly found in the larger cities.

The most common paid parking system is the automated parking meter (P-automat). To use this system, first park your car and then purchase a parking ticket from the nearest P-automat to display on the dashboard of car.

Fines for parking violations cost, on average, NOK 700 and are usually put on your windshield. To pay your fine, you have to take the ticket into your local bank to transfer the money from your account to the issuing authority. The bank details be found on the ticket. Illegally parked cars may also be towed at the driverโ€™s expense.

What are the most common fines? How and where can Ukrainians pay them?

Minor speeding violations are the most common. Normally these are issued as so called on the spot fines.

Most fines will normally be collected through voluntary collection. At first, you will receive an invoice, which you may pay before reminder charges are incurred. If the invoice is not paid, you will receive a notice of legal enforcement of claim. If the fine is not paid after such notice, the fine will be collected through legal enforcement. This starts with a notice of attachment proceeding, before proceedings are initiated.

In connection with attachment proceedings, the State Repayment Center (SI) decide whether what you owe will be collected through an attachment of earnings or an attachment lien, or both. You may have to pay high charges if attachment proceedings are initiated. More information here mceclip0.png.

What documents are required for registration of trailers/cargo (equipment, furniture, etc.)?

You need to have a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) if you carry passengers or goods for hire or reward in a heavy vehicle. This requirement does not apply to private use of heavy vehicles. If, for instance, you have a minibus as a family car or if you use a light lorry to pull a caravan, you do not need Driver CPC.

If the trailer shall be imported (i.e permanently used in Norway), several steps will be necessary, and the trailer must be approved an VAT paid.

Do Ukrainians need to declare what they bought in Europe?

Ukrainians can bring personal belongings duty- and tax-free to Norway. This applies regardless of value.

If you carry NOK 25,000 or more in cash, alcohol drinks, tobacco products, fuel or other goods including perfume, certain restrictions may apply regarding the quantity and value of the products.