Driving licences in Svalbard
Here you will find information about the rules applying to driving licences in Svalbard.
Foreign driving licences in Svalbard
As a main rule, a foreign driving licence that is valid in the holder’s home country can be used throughout the holder’s stay in Svalbard.
The driving licence is only valid for the group of motor vehicles listed in the driving licence, and the driving licence model must meet the requirements of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
Temporary exemption for driving licences that do not meet the requirements of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
Temporary exemption is granted for driving licences that do not meet the model requirements set out in the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. The exemption applies only to driving entitlements for passenger cars / Category B. The driving licence must be issued in a country that is party to the 1949 Geneva Convention or the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. It must be valid in the issuing country.
The exemption applies up to and including 31 March 2024.
A driving entitlement for Category B/ passenger cars also entitles the holder to drive Category S vehicles (snowmobiles).
If your foreign driving licence does not fall under the main rule or the temporary exemption, you do not have a valid driving entitlement in Svalbard.
Getting a driving licence in Svalbard
In order to be issued a Norwegian driving licence, you need to have normal residence in Norway. Foreign nationals are normally not considered as having normal residence in Norway even if they live in Svalbard for more than 185 days, and thus they cannot not be issued a Norwegian driving licence.
Theory tests in Svalbard
Before you can take the theory test, you must have applied for a driving licence and had your application approved. You can apply for a driving licence online.
Take the theory test or renew your driving licence at Svalbard Licensing and Registration Office
If you are going to take the theory test or renew your driving licence, you must visit Svalbard Licensing and Registration Office (servicekontor) in Statens hus (the old post office and bank building) in Longyearbyen.
Basic training and driving tests
You can take the practical driver training for Category S at an approved driving school in Svalbard. You can take the theory test in Svalbard. For snowmobiles (Category S) no practical driving test is required.
Practical driver training and practical driving tests for other categories must be carried out in mainland Norway.
A driving entitlement for Categories A, A1, B and T entitles the holder to drive a snowmobile (Category S) in Svalbard
This applies regardless of when the driving entitlement was acquired.