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DRIVING

QUIZ: Would you pass the Norwegian driving theory test?

Norway has taken strong measures to ensure there are safe drivers behind the wheel, which is why obtaining a driving licence (a "førerkort") is not an easy task. To get a licence, you'll have to take the theory test, but would you pass it?

QUIZ: Would you pass the Norwegian driving theory test?
To get a licence in Norway you'll need to pass the theory test. Photo by Dessy Dimcheva on Unsplash

Getting a driving licence in Norway requires time, commitment, and, unfortunately, a good chunk of cash. Yes, the process of obtaining a licence in Norway can be rigorous. But it is a big part of why the roads in Norway are considered some of the safest in all of Europe

Along with meeting the number of required driving hours with a certified instructor, new drivers must also pass practical and written driving exams before getting their license.

Unfortunately, we can’t sit in the passenger seat next to you. But, we can provide a quiz with official driving theory exam questions from Theoritentamen, along with answers and helpful test day information to help you better understand what Statens Vegvesen (The Norwegian Road Administration) expects you to know before getting behind the wheel. 

The actual driving theory test is taken on a computer in person at your local Statens Vegvesen centre. It is a multiple-choice exam with four possibilities and only one correct answer. 

Before we get to the quiz, you can also take a peek at our citizenship quiz to give your brain a workout and see if you are as Norwegian as a Bunad on May 17th or whether you need to read up on Scandinavian history and culture a bit more. 

READ ALSO: Norway has the strictest driving fines in Europe, study shows

Sample Quiz

1. What is the stopping distance? 

Answer: The stopping distance in Norway is calculated as the reaction distance added to the braking distance. The braking distance can be twice as long on wet asphalt as on dry asphalt, increasing the total stopping distance.

2. Can mandatory abstinence be applied to professional drivers?

Answer: Yes, if the driver is a professional transport driver of either goods or people.

This means professional drivers must abstain from consuming alcohol or sedatives during their shift and the eight hours leading up to the start of their shift.  

3. Can stress affect the way you drive?

Answer: Yes, it can lead to lowered attentiveness.

Anything that can reduce your concentration, including stress, can affect your ability to drive. Other factors include illness, fatigue, alcohol, and anger and irritation. 

4. The road you are driving on is reduced from two lanes to one. Who has an obligation to give way?

Answer: No one has the right-of-way; drivers in both lanes must take care to accommodate each other.

When two lanes merge, the traffic rules state that it is up to the driver to take care. So no matter what lane you are in, you should give way. 

5. What do yellow markings in the middle of the roadway mean?

Answer: The road has traffic going in both directions.

In Norway, yellow road markings are used to divide traffic lanes with traffic going in opposite directions. 

6. What is meant by aquaplaning?

Answer: Water between the tyre and the road causes the tyre to lose traction.

Aquaplaning happens when there is water between the car’s tyres and the surface of the road – the risk of aquaplaning increases when driving at higher speeds. So take care to slow down in wet driving conditions. 

7. What are the three parts of the road called?

Answer: The shoulder, the carriageway/roadway, and the traffic lane.

Take note to find out what parts of the road are called as many of the questions on the theory exam have pictures asking you to identify a traffic situation. Or, in this case, certain parts of the road.

8. You are going to turn right onto a priority road. A car coming from the left signals that they are turning into the road you are coming from. Can you rely on their signal?

Answer: No

A driver must always look out for signs from the other driver along with the signals given. Check that they have also reduced their speed and positioned themselves correctly in the lane before turning onto a priority road. 

9. Your car’s power steering has suddenly stopped working. What is the correct thing to do?

Answer: You can continue driving as long as your car is roadworthy.

You can still drive if it is considered safe to do so for you and other cars and passengers on the road. Though you should take the car to a repair shop to make the necessary repairs. 

10. How can emergency lay-bys in a tunnel be used?

Answer: They must only be used in case of emergency. 

11. What kind of lines are the white lines?

Answer: Dividing lines

Take note and make sure you can identify what warning lines, edge lines, and lane lines are well. 

12.The three-second rule indicates a minimum driving distance. Greater distances are required when….

Answer: When there are hazardous driving conditions.

The three-second rule is merely a rule of thumb. It would be wise to give the vehicle in front of you a greater distance, especially during the winter months.

13. The traffic rules regarding driving on motorways state that….

Answer: Only vehicles that can drive faster than speeds of 40km/h are permitted to go on the motorway. 

Practical information before you show up to take the Norwegian driving theory exam

  • Before you take the theory exam, you have to apply for a driving licence. Look here for the link to apply. 
  • The exam consists of 45 questions. You must get at least 85 percent of the answers, or 38 questions, correct to pass. Your test results will be given immediately after taking the test.
  • You have 90 minutes to complete the test.
  • The test costs 680 kroner.
  • To book a slot to take the theory test in Oslo, look here.
  • Remember to take with you a valid ID. Remember that your Norwegian ID card or foreign driving licence is not a valid form of identification for this test. So take your passport instead.
  • If you are applying for the standard “class B” driver licence, then language options for the test include: Norwegian, English, German, Turkish, Sami, and Arabic.

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LIVING IN NORWAY

Living in Norway: Can you get by without a car? 

Whether you choose to live in one of Norway's largest cities or dream of life in a more rural area, you will likely have considered how dependent you are on having access to a car. 

Living in Norway: Can you get by without a car? 

Cars can be an expensive investment, and picking an unreliable one can be a costly mistake. That’s without having to consider insurance, fuel, tolls and being afraid of driving on a different side of the road and driving in the unpredictable Norwegian weather. 

On top of that, not everyone has learned how to drive, or they may belong to a group of nationals who are unable to swap their driving licence for a Norwegian one.

For many, cars represent freedom, being able to get where you need to be on your own terms. For some living in the cities, not having a car will be liberating in its own way – namely, shedding a significant cost.

READ ALSO: The best sites for buying a used car in Norway

The question of whether you can survive in Norway without a car or driving license will depend mostly on where you live. 

In the cities

For starters, in the big cities and specifically Oslo, you will be able to get by without a car. The city has a decent public transport network with good coverage of the entire city across its buses, trams and metro lines. 

Decent rail connections also connect the capital to several smaller towns and cities. 

On the days that Oslo’s public transport system isn’t reliable, such as days when there is extreme weather, you may not be able to get to where you need to be with a car either. 

Furthermore, having a car may, in some cases, be more of a burden. There are a number of tolls, and finding a place to park can be difficult.

The fact that parking spaces are regularly listed for anything between 300,000 and 1 million kroner on property listing site Finn.no should tell you everything you need to know. 

Much of the same, with the exception of million kroner parking spaces, could be said for some of Norway’s other big cities.

Transport in Trondheim and Stavanger mostly revolves around a bus network (although commuter rail is also an option), and if you live and work centrally, you can walk or use public transport to get to everywhere you need to. 

Bergen’s public transport offering could be considered better than in Stavanger and Trondheim, and there is even a funicular connecting the city to the surrounding nature

However, there are still several reasons why you may still wish to have a car living in the cities. 

Firstly, not all cities are the same. In smaller towns, like Ålesund, with large suburban areas, you will need a car if you live outside the centre. Similarly, while Tromsø has a decent bus network, if you live on the other islands in the area a car would be handy.  

Even in cities where you can reach work and the other essentials by public transport regularly, there are reasons you would want a car. 

If you have children, you’ll know all about needing to ferry them around for the various activities, clubs, parties and events they are invited to. Depending on their hobbies, getting all their gear around won’t be easy via public transport. 

Given that the majority that end up moving to Norway with kids or having their children in Norway do so because they have ended up with a Norwegian, a car will likely make family visits a lot easier. 

Outside the towns and cities

This is where things will be much, much more complicated. Having lived in both the capital, Oslo, and a rural village of about 2,000–3,000 people, getting by without a car isn’t feasible in the long term. 

There are ways around it, like trying to live close to stores and schools, but your life will be significantly more challenging without regular access to a car. 

Buses are a lot more infrequent, so they can’t be relied on to get between towns or to and from work. 

Things are also a lot further apart in more rural areas, so attending things like doctor’s appointments may be a struggle. With things tens of kilometres apart, solutions that might work in a city, like a bike or e-scooter, won’t quite cut it. 

Trying to access nature may also be harder in rural areas without a car than even in a city. At least in cities like Oslo and Bergen, there are options you can take directly to nature spots. 

In rural areas, many of the best gems are found by driving to them. 

Are there any alternatives?  

In many cases, it will simply be a case of needing access to a car rather than owning a car. Several short-term rental schemes in Norway let you borrow a car for a few hours or a few days cheaper than a typical rental company.

Those living in Bergen can use the Dele service. Their service comes with an upfront payment that sets users back around 8,200 kroner to join (7,000 kroner security deposit and then six monthly payments of 600 kroner). The deposit is returned when your membership ends.

There are other options, too. Bilkollektivet is Norway’s largest car-sharing scheme and is based in Oslo. They are a non-profit with several membership tiers depending on how often you need car access.

Getaround (formerly Nabobil) is another example of a car-sharing service. Getaround is the most widespread across Norway, although they can be a lot more expensive than other companies.

However, these companies are only helpful if you only need access to a car once a week or a few times a month. Anymore, and buying a car may make more sense.

In addition, these services cover most towns and cities, but those in rural areas may still end up being left short.

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