Winter Tyre Rules in Norway

Norway’s tyre rules often confuse foreign drivers because they’re not what you’d expect. Despite months of snow and ice, there’s technically no law requiring passenger cars to fit winter tyres. What Norway does have is something more demanding: a legal responsibility to ensure your tyres provide adequate grip at all times. In practice, this makes winter tyres essential — the law just doesn’t use that word.

The grip responsibility rule

The key legal provision is Forskrift om bruk av kjøretøy § 1-4, which states that drivers must ensure their vehicle has sufficient grip. This means:

• Driving on summer tyres in icy conditions and causing an accident makes you legally liable
• Your insurance company may reduce or deny your claim
• Police can fine you if they judge your tyres inadequate for conditions

In practice, virtually everyone in Norway switches to winter tyres by November. Rental cars come with winter tyres fitted as standard during the season.

Minimum tread depth

Tread depth requirements change with the seasons:

• Winter period (1 Nov – first Sunday after the 2nd Easter day): 3 mm minimum
• Rest of the year: 1.6 mm minimum

In Northern Norway (Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark), the winter period starts earlier: 16 October – 30 April.

Studded tyres (piggdekk)

Studded tyres are popular in Norway and legally permitted during winter:

• Standard season: 1 November – first Monday after Easter Sunday
• Northern Norway: 15 October – 30 April
• Outside the season: permitted only if road conditions genuinely require them

All four wheels must have the same type — you cannot mix studded and non-studded tyres.

Studded tyre fees in cities

Some cities charge a daily or seasonal fee for studded tyres because the studs wear road surfaces and create dust:

• Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim charge fees
• Stavanger abolished its fee in 2023

The fee is typically paid via AutoPASS. If you’re renting a car with studded tyres in these cities, check whether the fee is included.

Heavy vehicles (over 3,500 kg)

Stricter rules apply to trucks and buses:

• Mandatory winter tyres: 15 November – 31 March
• Northern Norway: 16 October – 30 April
• Minimum tread depth: 5 mm (from 1 November)

Foreign trucks entering Norway in winter must comply with these requirements.

Snow chains

Chains aren’t commonly needed on main roads, which are well maintained. However:

• Chains may be required on certain mountain passes during severe weather
• Statens vegvesen can close roads to vehicles without adequate equipment
• If you’re driving over mountain passes in winter, carry chains as a precaution

Practical tips

• Renting a car in winter? Confirm winter tyres are fitted. Reputable companies do this automatically from October/November.
• Check tread depth. 3 mm is the legal minimum, but many experts recommend changing winter tyres at 4 mm.
• Don’t remove winter tyres too early. Spring snow in April and even May is common, especially in the mountains and north.
• The Easter-based dates sound confusing but they shift each year. Check the calendar for your travel dates.