Please note that changes have been made to the regulations regarding the exchange of driving licences from countries outside the EEA (European Economic Area). These changes come into effect from 1st April 2024. More information here.
These are the main points of the changes:
A driving licence from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, the UK, Switzerland, South Korea, or the USA may be exchanged for a Norwegian driving licence.
For driving licences from Australia, Canada, Israel, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea and the USA, the following will apply:
- There will be no deadline to apply for an exchange (previously it was 1 year). But note that one can still only use a valid driving licence from any country for up to three months from the date of moving to Norway.
- Passing a theory test and practical driving test will be required for the exchange of Category B (passenger car) and the A categories (motorcycles). The theory test is available in several languages, including English.
- The requirement for mandatory training in night driving, first aid and the safety course on a practice track to exchange Category B will be discontinued.
- The requirement to pass a practical driving test to exchange C and D categories (lorry and bus categories) will be continued
- You will have a maximum of two attempts to pass the practical driving test for Category B. Previously, it was only 1 attempt.
- You will have a maximum of two attempts to pass the practical driving test (riding test) for A categories. Previously, it was only 1 attempt.
- The maximum of two attempts to pass the practical driving test for lorry and bus categories will be continued.
- Failed driving tests under the current rules will count as attempts when a new application for exchange is submitted after 1 April 2024.
For driving licences from Switzerland, the following will apply:
- Swiss driving licences will be treated in the same way as EEA driving licences both in terms of exchange and how long they are valid for driving in Norway.
For Japanese driving licences, the following will apply:
- Japanese driving licences can only be exchanged in Category B. They may still be exchanged without tests. The deadline for exchange is two years after the holder took up normal residence in or moved back to Norway.
Hong Kong driving licences can no longer be exchanged.