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Winter driving in Norway – essential tips

Guide to safe winter driving in Norway. Tyre rules, driving techniques and what you need to know before hitting icy roads.

E

Editorial Team

Last updated 9 April 2026

In this guide

Winter driving in Norway

Norway has some of the most challenging winter driving conditions in Europe. Ice, snow, darkness and strong winds are common from October through April in many parts of the country. Here is what you need to know to drive safely.

Winter tyre rules

Norway does not have a fixed legal deadline for winter tyre changes, but you are legally required to have tyres suitable for the conditions. In practice this means:

  • Switch to winter tyres when temperatures regularly drop below 7°C
  • Studded tyres are permitted from 1 November to the first Monday after Easter Sunday
  • In some northern counties, studded tyres are permitted for longer periods
  • All four tyres must be the same type (all studded or all non-studded)
  • Minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm, but 3+ mm is strongly recommended for winter tyres

    • Studded tyres provide the best grip on ice but are prohibited in some city centre areas and tunnels.

    Driving techniques on ice and snow

    Braking

  • Brake early and gently
  • Modern cars with ABS can brake firmly, but always steer away from obstacles
  • Allow significantly more stopping distance than in summer

    • Acceleration

  • Accelerate slowly and smoothly, especially on hills and in junctions
  • Too much throttle causes wheel spin and loss of control

    • Cornering

  • Reduce speed before the corner, not during
  • Steer gently – aggressive steering on ice causes understeer or oversteer

    • Essential equipment

  • Ice scraper and snow brush
  • Jump leads (batteries weaken in cold)
  • Small shovel (in case you get stuck)
  • Warm clothes and blanket if driving in remote areas

    • Darkness

    Much of Norway experiences significantly reduced daylight in winter. In northern Norway, there is complete darkness for weeks. Always drive with lights on and adjust your speed to what you can see ahead.

    Tips for driving in Norway in winter

  • Allow extra time – everything takes longer in winter
  • Increase following distance – stopping distances are much longer on ice
  • Check road conditions – vegvesen.no has real-time road condition information
  • Drive to conditions, not the speed limit – the limit is a maximum, not a target
  • If in doubt, slow down – no destination is worth an accident

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