Driving in Italy vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads in Italy and Norway, understanding the unique driving regulations and safety measures is essential. Key distinctions lie in speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol tolerance levels. While Italy allows overtaking on multi-lane roads, Norway enforces stricter rules to enhance road safety. Prepare to drive confidently abroad by exploring these vital contrasts.
Lanes
| Italy | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
italy:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Italy | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Italy | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
norway:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Italy | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Italy | 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: Fines | Substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
italy:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Italy | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | 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 | Varies; fines apply | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay