Driving in Germany vs. Norway: Key Differences Explained
When comparing road regulations in Germany and Norway, distinct variations emerge that impact your travel experience. From speed limits to lane markings, each nation has unique rules aimed at promoting safety. Notably, Germany's higher speed recommendations contrast with Norway's strictness on alcohol limits, ensuring awareness for motorists navigating these diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Germany | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
germany:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
germany:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
germany:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Germany | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Germany | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Germany | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
germany:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Germany | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay