Importing a vehicle – vehicle approval

This information is primarily for private importers of vehicles. If you are a commercial importer, you will find relevant information by following the link to the left: National type approval of vehicles.

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration is responsible for approving and registering vehicles in Norway. There are a number of approval schemes for imported vehicles.

Vehicles imported by private persons must be either EC type-approved or individually approved here in Norway before they can be registered. For commercial imports there is an additional scheme for Norwegian national type approval of most groups of vehicles. 

If a vehicle is not approved, it cannot be driven in Norway. Anyone who is planning to import a vehicle is advised to become familiar with the regulations beforehand.

You will find more information on the various approval schemes by clicking on the menu to the left, but the following are some of the main points.

• EC type approval is a common approval scheme used in the EU and EEA areas. This type approval is valid in Norway, too, so that vehicles that are EC type-approved and have not been modified are regarded as approved in Norway. (There are a few exceptions. Contact a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office or see the Norwegian vehicle regulations for details).
• Vehicles that are not EC type-approved must be approved individually at an NPRA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office.

 

After a vehicle is approved it can be registered for use.