Car licence (class B): free practice, theory and problems

1. Right of way

Who must give way?

Giving way means driving so that the person you give way to does not have to change speed or direction suddenly. Show clearly and in good time that you will give way (slow down).

The right-hand rule

At junctions without signs, markings or lights, you give way to traffic coming from the right.

Signs that control right of way

• Give way (triangle pointing down): give way to traffic on the road you are entering. Stop if needed at the give-way line ("shark teeth").
• Stop (octagon): stop completely at the stop line, then give way.
• Priority road (yellow diamond): traffic from side roads must give way to you. The sign with a black stripe means the priority road ends.

Other rules

• When driving out of a car park, yard, petrol station, footpath/cycle path or across a pavement, you give way to everyone.
• When turning left, you give way to oncoming traffic going straight on or turning right.
• In a roundabout with give-way signs, you give way to those already in the roundabout.
• Give way to emergency vehicles with blue flashing lights.
• Let pedestrians who are on or stepping onto a pedestrian crossing cross.

Practise right of way in the app →

2. Signs and road markings

Groups of signs

The shape and colour tell you what kind of sign it is:

• Warning signs: triangle with a red border pointing up. Warn of danger.
• Prohibitory signs: round with a red border. Something is forbidden.
• Mandatory signs: round and blue. Something is required.
• Information signs: blue rectangle. Give information (pedestrian crossing, parking, dead end).
• Supplementary plates: small plates under another sign that add information or limit the sign.
• Temporary signs, for example at roadworks, have a yellow background.

Road markings

• A yellow line separates traffic in opposite directions. A white line separates lanes in the same direction and marks the edge of the road.
• Solid line: must not be crossed or driven on.
• Warning line (long dashes, short gaps): warns of a solid line or danger ahead.
• Guide line (short dashes, long gaps): marks the centre or lanes; may be crossed when safe.
• Stop line (solid line across) and give-way line (shark teeth).

Practise signs and road markings in the app →

3. Speed, distance and stopping distance

Speed limits

• General speed limit: 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h outside. Signs can set other limits.
• Car with a trailer without brakes: at most 60 km/h. With brakes: at most 80 km/h.
• The speed limit is a maximum. Always adapt your speed to road conditions, visibility and traffic.

Stopping distance

• The reaction distance is how far you travel before you start braking. With a reaction time of 1 s: $\text{metres} = \text{km/h} : 3.6$.
• The braking distance grows with the square of the speed: double the speed gives four times the braking distance.
• Slippery roads, worn tyres and poor brakes give a longer braking distance.

Distance

Keep at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle in front in good conditions, more on slippery roads and in the dark.

Practise speed, distance and stopping distance in the app →

4. Positioning, changing lanes and overtaking

Positioning

• Keep to the right of the carriageway, but not so far out that you endanger vulnerable road users.
• Plan your position before junctions: the right lane to turn right, furthest left in your direction to turn left.
• Signal in good time before changing lanes, turning or pulling out from the kerb.

Changing lanes

Check your mirrors and over your shoulder (the blind spot) before changing lanes. The one changing lanes must give way to traffic in that lane.

Overtaking

• Overtake on the left. You may overtake on the right when the vehicle you pass is turning left and has positioned itself for it.
• Overtaking is forbidden where visibility is too short, for example before hilltops and on blind bends, and where signs or a solid line forbid it.
• Do not overtake a vehicle that has stopped to let pedestrians cross at a pedestrian crossing.
• When you are being overtaken, do not speed up.

Roundabouts, merging and parking

• Signal right before leaving the roundabout.
• When two lanes become one, merge alternately (zip merge).
• On two-way roads, park on the right side. Do not stop on a pedestrian crossing or less than 5 metres before it.
• On motorways it is forbidden to turn around and reverse.

Practise positioning, changing lanes and overtaking in the app →

5. Lights, signals and traffic lights

Lights on the car

• In Norway you must always drive with lights (dipped beam or daytime running lights) when the car is moving.
• Full beam must be dipped for oncoming traffic, when driving close behind others, and when it may dazzle pedestrians and cyclists.
• Rear fog light is only used when visibility is greatly reduced by fog or precipitation, because it dazzles in normal weather.
• Hazard lights are used when the car is stationary and a hazard, for example after an accident or when stopping in a queue on a motorway.
• The horn is only used to warn of danger.

Traffic lights

• Red: stop. Red and amber: the light will soon turn green, but you must still not go.
• Amber alone: stop if you can do so safely.
• Green: go, but give way to pedestrians and oncoming traffic when turning. Green arrow: go in the direction of the arrow.
• Flashing amber: take special care; signs and right-of-way rules apply.

Practise lights, signals and traffic lights in the app →

6. Vulnerable road users and interaction

Vulnerable road users

Pedestrians, cyclists, moped riders and motorcyclists have little protection. You are responsible for driving so that they are not put in danger.

• Children are unpredictable, judge traffic poorly and may run out suddenly. Slow down near schools, playgrounds and buses.
• Older people may walk slowly and have poor sight or hearing.
• A person with a white cane is blind or visually impaired.
• Keep a good distance when passing cyclists. At least 1.5 metres is recommended.
• Check the blind spot for cyclists before turning right.
• Look for cyclists behind before opening the door.
• Pass horses slowly with plenty of room, and avoid sudden noises.

Interaction

• Show clearly what you will do, in good time, and be predictable.
• Heavy vehicles have large blind spots and need room at turns.
• Make eye contact, but do not rely on others having seen you.

Practise vulnerable road users and interaction in the app →

7. Alcohol, fatigue and attention

Alcohol and drugs

• The blood alcohol limit is 0.2 per mille. Driving under the influence of other drugs is also forbidden.
• The body burns about 0.15 per mille per hour. Coffee, a cold shower or food do not make you sober faster.
• Medicines marked with a red warning triangle can impair your ability to drive.

Fatigue

Tiredness slows your reactions and can make you fall asleep. Stop, take a break or have a short sleep. Music and an open window do not help.

Attention

• Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is forbidden.
• At 80 km/h you travel over 40 metres in 2 seconds with your eyes elsewhere.
• Stress and anger lead to worse judgement. Plan your trip and allow plenty of time.

Practise alcohol, fatigue and attention in the app →

8. The vehicle, load and trailer

Tyres and brakes

• Tread depth must be at least 1.6 mm in summer and at least 3 mm in the winter period (passenger car).
• Check tyre pressure regularly. Too low pressure gives worse grip and higher consumption.
• Red warning lights mean you must stop and find the fault.

Restraints

• Everyone must wear a seat belt. The driver is responsible for passengers under 15 being restrained.
• Children under 135 cm must use an approved child restraint.
• A rear-facing child seat must never be placed in front of an active airbag.
• The car must carry a warning triangle and a high-visibility vest reachable from the driver's seat.

Load and trailer

• The load must be secured. A load sticking out more than 1 metre behind the car must be marked.
• With class B you may tow a trailer with a maximum permitted weight up to 750 kg, or a heavier trailer when car and trailer together are at most 3,500 kg. With code 96 the combination can be up to 4,250 kg.
• The car must have regular roadworthiness tests (EU inspection).

Practise the vehicle, load and trailer in the app →

9. Winter, darkness and difficult conditions

Darkness

• A pedestrian without a reflector is seen at about 25–30 metres with dipped beam. With a reflector you can see her at about 140 metres.
• Use full beam when you can, and dip it in good time.
• If dazzled by oncoming traffic, look towards the right edge of the road and slow down.

Slippery roads

• Ice can be extra slippery on bridges, in shade and where there is frost. Around 0 °C is especially slippery.
• Clear all windows, lights and the roof of snow and ice before driving.
• With ABS: press the brake hard and keep it pressed; you can still steer.
• Slow down and increase the distance.

Wildlife

• Moose and deer often come several together. Where there is one animal, more may follow.
• You must report to the police if you hit a deer-family animal (moose, red deer, roe deer, reindeer).

Practise winter, darkness and difficult conditions in the app →

10. Accidents and first aid

At an accident

1. Secure: stop, turn on hazard lights, put on the high-visibility vest and set out the warning triangle.
2. Alert: call 113 (medical emergency), 110 (fire) or 112 (police).
3. Help: give first aid until relieved.

If you are involved in an accident, or come across one, you are obliged to stop and help.

First aid

• Check whether the person responds and breathes normally.
• Unconscious but breathing normally: place her in the recovery position and keep her warm.
• Not breathing normally: start CPR: 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths.
• Stop major bleeding with direct pressure.
• Do not move injured people unnecessarily, only if they are in danger (for example fire).

Damage only

Fill in an accident report together, and move the cars if they block traffic.

Practise accidents and first aid in the app →

11. Environment and eco-driving

Drive smart

• Keep a steady speed and look far ahead, so you avoid needless braking and acceleration.
• Change up early (manual gearbox) and use engine braking.
• Avoid idling: it pollutes and uses fuel without doing anything useful.
• Correct tyre pressure and removing roof boxes and unnecessary load reduce consumption.
• An electric car can recover some energy when it brakes with the motor (regeneration).
• Plan your trip, combine errands, and consider walking, cycling or public transport.

Practise environment and eco-driving in the app →

12. Licence, probation and rules

The road to a licence

• You must complete the basic traffic course before practice driving.
• Practice driving a car is allowed from age 16. The accompanying person must be at least 25 and have held a car licence continuously for 5 years. The car must have an L plate.
• The training includes mandatory courses, such as a safety course on a track (skid training) and a safety course on the road.
• You can get a class B licence from age 18.

The theory test

45 questions, 90 minutes. You pass with at most 7 mistakes (at least 38 correct).

After you get your licence

• You have a 2-year probation period. Penalty points count double during probation.
• If you get 8 points within 3 years, you lose your licence for 6 months.
• Carry a valid licence when driving.

Practise licence, probation and rules in the app →