Driving in Norway vs. United Kingdom: Key Safety Differences
The driving landscapes of Norway and the United Kingdom present intriguing contrasts that every traveler should understand. From lane usage to speed limits and road etiquette, navigating these unique road environments requires awareness. Discover key distinctions, such as driving on the right in Norway versus the left in the UK, ensuring a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Norway | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
Driving Side
norway:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
norway:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
norway:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
norway:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Norway | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
norway:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
norway:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
norway:
90-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
norway:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
norway:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Norway | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
norway:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Norway | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
norway:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
norway:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
norway:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Norway | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
norway:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Norway | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Norway | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Norway | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
norway:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
norway:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Norway | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
norway:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
norway:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay