Driving licence in Norway

Before one is allowed to practice for any driving licence, one must first complete a four-day class called "trafikalt grunnkurs" (elementary traffic class) which covers the basic rules of the road, some general advice, and what to do when involved in (or present at the scene of) an accident—including how to communicate effectively with emergency services and basic first aid skills (ABC, recovery position).

Anyone having completed this class and no less than two years younger than the minimum age for the desired licence is allowed to practice drive for that licence if accompanied by a parent or other adult who is at least 25 years old and has had the relevant licence without interruption for the past five years. Some driving schools offer basic training on how to effectively coach a learning driver, but this training is not compulsory.

Drivers must also take courses with a licensed instructor in night driving, slippery road driving in an obstacle course, first aid, and four obligatory driving hours each covering different aspects of traffic. One of those is long-distance driving on country roads, another is city driving with roundabouts.

After the student applies for the driving licence to Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Norwegian: Statens Vegvesen), the student must undergo theory test before taking practical test at Vegvesen's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office (Norwegian: Trafikkstasjon). Before the theory test is taken for the first time, they must do a simple eye exam. The theory test for category B (cars) consists of 45 questions and each question has one correct answer. The student must answer all questions and 85% of correct answers (up to seven wrong answers) will pass this test. After this test is passed, the student must pass the practical test within three years after completion, or the student must retake the test. If the student fails the test, they must wait two weeks before retaking the test.[6]

If the student has succeeded the theory test and all obligatory training courses has been completed, the student takes the practical test before obtaining the licence. The test consists of several parts, including safety check with the vehicle before the start of the journey and parking at the end of the journey. The student are legally considered as driver and they are responsible what they have to do during the test. Once the test is ended, the examiner will tell them they've passed or failed the test. If they pass this test, they will be photographed and pay for licence issue fee. They can choose either to be mailed on their registered address, or to be picked up at the office. If they chose to pick it up at the office, the licence must be picked up within five years. If they fail the test, they must wait four weeks before retaking the test and reason for the failure is written.[7]

When the driver first gets their licence they get what is called a trial licence which is a 2-year trial period during which the number of points they will receive is doubled for each traffic violations, making it easier to lose their licence. If the driver loses their licence during this period, they have to retake all the tests, both theoretically and practically after the suspension period is expired. If the driver loses their licence after the 2-year trial, they will receive the licence by mail when it is reissued to their address after the suspension period is expired.