Tyre requirements

As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring that the vehicle you are driving has sufficient road grip, all year round. Remember that correct tyre marking and tread depth are no guarantee that your road grip is good enough. 

What tread depth is required when?

The required tyre tread depth is different in summer and winter.

In winter, from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday inclusive, the required tread depth is at least 3 millimetres. The length of time this requirement applies will vary somewhat from year to year, depending on when Easter takes place that year.

In Nordland and Troms og Finnmark, the requirement for a tread depth of at least 3 millimetres applies from 16 October to 30 April inclusive.

In summer, from the first Sunday after Easter Monday to 1 November, the tyre tread depth must be at least 1.6 millimetres. You cannot use summer tyres on winter roads, because summer tyres do not have sufficient road grip on ice and snow.

The vehicle must have winter tyres (studded or non-studded), chains or similar also outside of the periods mentioned above if this is necessary in order to ensure sufficient road grip. 

There are separate rules for tread depth and winter tyres for vehicles of more than 3,500 kg.

When can you use studded tyres?

Studded tyres may only be used from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday inclusive. In Nordland and Troms og Finnmark, studded tyres may only be used from 16 October to 30 April inclusive. 

If the weather and road surface conditions make it necessary, studded tyres and chains may be used beyond these dates. If you are using studded tyres, the vehicle must have studded tyres on all wheels.

Non-studded winter tyres may be used all year round.

Tyre requirements for trailers

If you drive with a trailer, the same rules for tyre tread depth apply to the trailer as to the motor vehicle. 
Read more about tyre requirements in Section 1-4 of the Regulations relating to the Use of Vehicles (Lovdata, Norwegian only)