Getting started as a learner driver

Before you can practise driving

Before you can take driving lessons or practise driving with a private supervisor, you must take the Basic Traffic Course at a driving school or as an elective in school . When you have completed the course, you will be issued a learner’s permit (provisional driving licence) which gives you the right to practise driving. 

See also: How to get a driving licence

If you are over 25

If you have reached the age of 25, you are exempt from parts of the Basic Traffic Course and can drive without a learner’s permit. The modules “Road users in the dark” (night driving) and “First aid and responsibilities in the event of a traffic accident” are mandatory for everyone and must be completed before you can take your driving test.

Driving practice in your driving licence category

In order to practise driving, you must ensure that you and your supervisor (accompanying driver) have the right equipment, the vehicle must be marked correctly, and you must drive in suitable areas.

See the rules for your driving license category

Are you temporarily disqualified or has your driving entitlement been suspended?

Then you are not allowed to practise driving until you have received approval and written permission from the police.

Tips for safe driving practice

Start your training at a driving school

This will give you a good start and a sound basis for further training and driving practice. Feel free to bring along your private supervisor (the person who will be accompanying you when you practise driving ‘at home’) to your first driving lesson.

Take your time - get a lot of driving practice

You need to practise driving a lot to become a safe road user. If you are getting your driving licence for the first time, you should spend at least two years in training before taking the driving test. 

Practise at the right level

You need to consider your level of proficiency - how far you have come in your training. Avoid training in heavy traffic and at high speeds before you are good enough to follow the traffic rhythm. Learner driving must not put other traffic at risk or unnecessarily inconvenience other road users. In closed-off areas, you can drive without an accompanying driver as long as the person supervising you can see you at all times and can give you instructions.

Be fit and alert when you drive

You must not practise driving if you are drunk, tired, sick or otherwise impaired. When you practise driving, there are health requirements (Lovdata) that apply both to you and to the person supervising you.

Do not pay anyone to accompany you while you practise driving.

Only instructors at driving schools or approved course organisers may accept payment for training.

Your accompanying driver

The person who accompanies and supervises you while you practise driving must be at least 25 years old and have held a driving licence in the same driving licence category for at least 5 years.

See information for accompanying drivers

Driving practice and night driving

Before you can practise driving between 1 November and 15 March, you must have completed the module “Road users in the dark” (night driving). If you take the Basic Traffic Course between 16 March and 31 October, you will receive a learner’s permit (provisional driving licence) that is only valid in this period of the year. Once you have taken the night driving module, you will receive a new learner’s permit that is valid for the entire year.

Read more about “Road users in the dark”

Learner driving abroad

Our rules for driver training and learner driving apply in Norway only. If you want to practise driving abroad, you must follow the rules that apply to learner driving in the country you are in. Rules for learner driving differ from country to country. For example, to practise driving in Sweden, you need an accompanying driver who has undergone special training and is registered with the authorities.