Car rental Norway: what to know before you book

This guide is for visitors who want to see Norway by car and are comparing options before they book. It is written by a local rental owner in Bergen, so it is based on real rentals.

Do you need a car in Norway?

In the cities you can manage without one. Parking and tolls make a car more hassle than help in the centre. A car pays off when you leave town. Fjords, mountain roads and small villages are much easier on your own schedule, and you can stop wherever the view is good.

What you need to rent

• A valid driving licence. The rules depend on the country that issued it. According to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen), EU/EEA licences are valid in Norway, and UK and Swiss licences follow the same rules. A licence from another country, for example the USA, Canada or Australia, can normally be used for three months from the day you arrive.
• An International Driving Permit in some cases. You need one in addition to your licence if it has no photo or is not written in Latin letters. Check the rules for your own licence on vegvesen.no.
• A payment card. With us, booking and payment are completed on Getaround.
• The minimum age is set by the rental company or platform. Check it before you book.

More on booking in How renting a car in Bergen works.

Automatic or manual, petrol, hybrid or electric

Many rental companies only promise a car category, so you may get a manual even if you prefer an automatic. Norwegian roads have steep hills and hairpin bends. If you are not used to a clutch, book a car that is guaranteed automatic. Our Toyota Auris Hybrid is always automatic.

Fuel is expensive in Norway, so a hybrid makes sense on a road trip: the Toyota typically uses around 4 to 5 litres per 100 km on country roads. If you choose an electric car, plan your charging stops. VisitNorway advises registering with charging providers in advance, usually through a phone app.

Tolls, ferries and AutoPASS

There are no toll booths and nothing to pay on the spot. Cameras read the number plate or the AutoPASS tag in the windscreen, and the bill goes to the car owner. In a rental car you simply drive through, and the cost is passed on afterwards. Our car has an AutoPASS tag, and tolls are billed through Getaround.

Many fjord routes include a short car ferry. Most ferries read the tag or the plate, so you drive on and the trip is billed later. Some routes, like the E39 ferries towards Stavanger, cannot be booked: you queue at the quay. On popular crossings in summer, arrive early. Read the details in Driving in Bergen: tolls, parking and rules.

Speed limits and rules that surprise visitors

• Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 30 in residential areas, 80 on open roads and up to 110 on some motorways. Speed cameras are common and fines are high.
• Headlights: dipped headlights must be on at all times, day and night.
• Alcohol: the limit is 0.2 per mille. In practice, do not drink at all before driving.
• Give way to traffic from the right unless signs say otherwise.
• Phone: only hands-free use is allowed while driving.
• Animals: moose, reindeer and sheep live near many roads. Warning signs show where. Slow down when you pass an animal and never stop in the road for photos.
• Tunnels: there are emergency telephones in tunnels. Never pass a red light or a lowered barrier, and do not turn around inside a tunnel.
• Narrow roads: use the passing places, marked M, and let faster cars pass.

In an emergency call 112 for police, 113 for an ambulance and 110 for fire.

Winter driving

Norway has no fixed date for winter tyres. The car must have adequate grip for the conditions, and winter tyres need at least 3 mm of tread. Our car has winter tyres (non-studded) in the winter season. Some mountain passes close in winter, for example Aurlandsfjellet and Sognefjellet, while the E16 from Bergen to Voss and Flåm stays open all year. Check road status at vegvesen.no before every mountain trip. Daylight is short: in December Bergen has only about six hours. Our winter driving guide has the details.

What it costs

The Toyota Auris Hybrid (automatic, 5 seats) costs kr 679 per day. The Peugeot Partner L2 cargo van (diesel, 3 seats, about 4 m³) costs kr 709 per day. The price is the same all year, and rentals of 7 days or more get 15 % off. Tolls, ferries, fuel and parking come on top. See What a rental car in Bergen really costs for a full budget.

Where to start: why Bergen works as a base

Bergen is the gateway to the fjords. From our pick-up point in Åsane it is about 1 h 20 to Voss and about 2 h 30 to Flåm. If you land at Bergen Airport Flesland, we can bring the car to you, see car rental at Bergen Airport. For ideas, read our 12 best day trips from Bergen by car.

Renting from us in Bergen

• Two vehicles: the Toyota Auris Hybrid and the Peugeot Partner L2 cargo van.
• 200 km per day are included on rentals up to 3 days. On longer rentals Getaround shows the allowance before you pay.
• Pick-up in Åsane in north Bergen, or delivery to an address, a hotel or Bergen Airport Flesland for kr 399.
• Booking and payment are completed on Getaround. Insurance and 24-hour roadside assistance are included.
• Book at least 12 hours ahead. Free cancellation until 48 hours before pick-up.
• AutoPASS tag fitted. Child seat free on request. Pets welcome, no smoking.
• Rated 5.0 from 16 renter reviews on Getaround. Phone and WhatsApp: +47 477 22 124.

FAQ

Can I drive in Norway with my licence?

EU/EEA licences are valid in Norway. Licences from other countries can normally be used for three months after you arrive, and some need an International Driving Permit. It depends on the country that issued your licence, so check the rules at vegvesen.no.

Are tolls included?

No. The car has an AutoPASS tag, and tolls are billed to the renter through Getaround after the rental.

Is a one-way rental possible?

Our cars are picked up and returned in the Bergen area. We can deliver the car to an address, a hotel or Bergen Airport Flesland for kr 399.

Do I need a 4×4 in winter?

The Norwegian rule is about grip for the conditions, and winter tyres need at least 3 mm of tread. Main roads like the E16 are open all year. Our car has winter tyres in the winter season. We do not rent 4×4 cars.

Can I take the car on ferries?

Yes, car ferries are a normal part of fjord routes. Most are paid through AutoPASS or by number plate and billed afterwards. Check the ferry company’s price list if you plan several crossings.