Converting a Foreign Driving License in Norway

Can I drive in Norway with a foreign license?

You can drive in Norway with a foreign license, but the rules vary depending on how long you plan to stay and the country where your license was issued.

If you're driving in Norway as a tourist, your foreign license is valid for up to three months. If your license is not written in English, French, or German, you’ll need to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside it or a certified Norwegian translation.

If you are a foreign resident in Norway, you can also use your license for a limited time after arrival, but to stay longer, you’ll need to exchange it for a Norwegian license. If you overstay the permitted period, you may have to take the driving test.

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Driving in Norway with a US license

If you're an American visitor, you can drive in Norway with your US license for up to three months from your arrival date. Your license must be valid, and you must be at least 18 years old, which is the legal driving age in Norway.

To avoid language or recognition issues, carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your US license. While the IDP is not strictly required for short stays, many car rental companies ask for it, and it can help if you're stopped by police.

If you become a resident, you’ll need to exchange your US license for a Norwegian one within one year. Fortunately, the United States is on Norway’s list of approved countries, so you may be able to convert your license without taking a full driving course, as long as you meet the requirements and apply within the deadline.

Driving licenses from Ukraine

As a Ukrainian national living in or visiting Norway, you can use your Ukrainian driving license for a limited time. But different rules apply depending on your status in the country.

If you are in Norway as a tourist or a temporarily displaced person (refugee)

You can use your Ukrainian license for up to one year from your date of entry. The license must be valid and clearly show the license classes, expiry date, and date of issue.

If you become a resident in Norway

Currently, Ukraine is not on Norway’s approved list of countries for direct license exchange. This means if you settle in Norway as a resident and want to continue driving beyond the one-year period, you must apply for a Norwegian driving license.

Who needs to exchange their license in Norway?

If you're living in Norway as a resident and fall under any of these categories, you may need to convert your license to a Norwegian one to continue driving legally. Here’s what you should know; 

EU/EEA license holders

If your driving license was issued in an EU or EEA country, you can use it in Norway as long as it is valid. 

You don’t need to exchange it unless it is about to expire, or you want to obtain a Norwegian license. You can also exchange it if you want to add new driving categories (e.g., motorcycles or heavy vehicles) or want to have a Norwegian ID on your license. The exchange is straightforward, and you won’t need to take any theory or driving tests. 

However, if you originally exchanged your EU/EEA license from a non-EU/EEA country (e.g.,if you exchanged a US license for a Dutch license), your eligibility for exchange depends on:

• The original country from which the license came
• How long you held the EU/EEA license before moving to Norway
• Whether you took a driving test in that EU/EEA country

If Norway cannot verify the original licensing process, you may not be able to exchange it and may have to start from scratch.

Non-EU/EEA license holders

If your license was issued outside the EU or EEA, you can only use it for up to three months after becoming a resident.

After that, you must exchange your license to continue driving. Whether you can exchange it without a driving test depends on your home country:

• Approved countries: Norway has special exchange agreements with countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, and a few others. If you're from one of these countries, you can exchange your license without a test, but you must apply within one year of becoming a resident. Failure to do so means you’ll have to take the driving test and pass. 
   
• Other countries: If your country isn’t on the approved list, you’ll need to go through Norway’s full licensing process, which includes taking a theory test, a practical driving test, and mandatory training. If your license includes heavy vehicle categories, the new license may only be valid for five years.

Special agreement countries for exchanging foreign licenses

Requirements for converting a foreign driver’s license in Norway

The requirements for converting your license vary depending on your country of origin, but here are the general rules and documents needed.

General requirements

• Be registered as a resident in Norway
• Hold a valid and full driving license (not a learner’s or provisional license)
• Have obtained the license before you became a resident
• Apply within the deadline:
  
  
  • Within 3 months for driving with a non-EU/EEA license
  • Within 12 months for exchanging licenses from approved non-EU/EEA countries
     
• If your license is not written in English, French, or German, you must also submit a certified translation in Norwegian or an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Required documents

• Your original driving license
• Proof of residency in Norway (e.g. residence certificate)
• Valid ID or passport
• A health certificate (if applying for heavy vehicle categories or if required based on age or medical history)
• A certified translation of your license in Norwegian (if it’s not in English, French, or German)
• Completed application form

If you're exchanging from a non-EU/EEA country, you may also need to provide proof of when the license was issued, especially if it was exchanged in another country (e.g. a US license exchanged in the Netherlands).

Step-by-step guide to exchanging a foreign license in Norway

1. Check if you're eligible for exchange

Start by confirming whether your country is on Norway’s list of approved countries for license exchange. Rules differ for EU/EEA, non-EU/EEA, and special agreement countries (like the US, Canada, Japan, etc.).

2. Gather your documents

You'll need to collect all the required documentation before your appointment. Ensure your documents are valid and in good condition.

3. Book an appointment

You need to book an appointment with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office (trafikkstasjon) online to submit your application.

4. Submit your application and documents

Fill out the application form and submit it alongside your required documents. You can mail the completed form to your local Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office (trafikkstasjon) or submit it in person. But you’ll need to book an appointment to hand in the form yourself. In most cases, your original license will be retained by the Norwegian authorities.

5. Receive a temporary driving permit (if eligible)

If your documents are accepted, and you’re entitled to drive in Norway, you may receive a temporary driving permit that allows you to drive while your application is processed. This is valid in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.

6. Wait for your Norwegian license

Processing times vary, but you’ll be notified when your Norwegian license is ready for collection. If you applied within the allowed timeframe and your country is eligible, you will not need to take a driving test.

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Do you need a certified translation to convert a foreign driving license in Norway?

You’ll need a certified translation of your foreign driving license in Norway if it’s not written in English, French, or German. This helps authorities understand the license details, such as issue date, vehicle categories, and validity.

You’ll also need translation if:

• Your license was issued by a country that signed the Geneva or Vienna Convention, but the license doesn’t follow the official format.
• Your license was issued by a country that didn’t sign the conventions, but it follows one of those convention formats or the EEA model, and the text isn’t in English, French, or German.

In these cases, you will require an International Driving Permit (IDP) based on one of the conventions, or a translation from an authorised translator in Norway.

What’s the official format?

Under the 1968 Vienna Convention, Annex 6 defines the standard design and data layout required for a domestic driving license. A license in this format typically includes:

• Surname
• First names
• Date and place of birth
• Address
• Authority issuing the permit
• Date and place of issue of the permit
• Date of expiry of the validity of the permit
• Number of the permit
• Signature and/or stamp or  seal  of  the  authority  issuing  the
• permit
• Holder's signature
• Category or categories of vehicle  and  any  sub-categories  for which the permit is valid
• Anti-fraud features (like microchips or QR codes) in newer versions

This standardised layout ensures that other countries recognising the Convention can easily verify and accept the license without extra checks. If your license doesn’t follow this format, even though your issuing country has signed the Convention, you’ll need a translation. 

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How Translayte can help you drive legally in Norway

Translayte provides certified translation services for driver's license conversions in Norway. Here's how we can assist you::

• Certified translations: We provide certified translations that include a signed statement attesting to accuracy and completeness, meeting Norwegian legal standards. This ensures that Norwegian authorities accept your driving license translation.
   
• Rapid turnaround: Our delivery time for certified translation is as little as 12 hours. You can also access our services on weekends and holidays.
   
• 24/7 support: At Translayte, you can access 24/7 multilingual assistance anytime via chat, email, SMS, phone, or WhatsApp.
   
• Global acceptance: Translayte's certified translations are recognised by governments, universities, and courts worldwide. 
   
• Transparent pricing: Our certified translation rates start from $31.75 per page, with no hidden charges. Before ordering online, you can also request a free quote for an accurate cost.

Choosing Translayte ensures that your driver’s license translation is accurate, compliant, and delivered promptly.

Cost of converting a foreign driving license in Norway

Issuing a driving license costs around 230 NOK when paid at the DVLO and 90 NOK when paid online. If you need to take the theory test, it costs 390 NOK, while the practical driving test costs 1,290 NOK for category B (car) when paid at the DVLO, and 1250 NOK if paid online.

Additional costs may apply for other document requirements, such as certified translations or an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your issuing country, taking driving lessons to pass your test and other medical examinations that may be required. Certified translations cost $31.75 per page, depending on language pair, turnaround time, and complexity.

Overall, you can expect to pay between 25,000 - 30,000 NOK for the entire process. Check the State Road Administration website for more information regarding driving license fees. 

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Processing time

The time it takes to process a foreign license exchange in Norway is 2 to 4 weeks. However, this can vary depending on your license type, country of origin, and whether additional verification is required. 

If your license was issued in a non-EU/EEA country, or if it needs to be verified by foreign authorities, the process may take longer. For the most accurate timeline, it’s best to ask the officers when you submit your application.