Information about national operator's licences for light goods vehicles
Enterprises that transport goods for hire or reward by light goods vehicles within Norway will need an operator’s licence as from 1 January 2026.
You can only apply for an operator’s licence in Norwegian.
Light goods vehicles that transport goods for hire or reward within Norway and have a maximum authorised mass between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes must have a national operator’s licence as from 1 January 2026. One operator’s licence will be required per vehicle.
Light goods vehicles that transport goods for hire or reward within Norway and have a maximum authorised mass between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes must have a national operator’s licence as from 1 January 2026. One operator’s licence will be required per vehicle.
Other types of enterprises will not be required to hold a national operator’s licence. For example, a tradesperson will still be able to drive a van to and from jobs without having an operator’s licence.
A Community licence for the transport of goods over 3.5 tonnes and a Community licence for light goods vehicles may also be used for national transport of goods by light goods vehicle. Please be reminded that each vehicle must carry a valid operator’s licence document during transport.
Sufficient professional competence
To obtain a national operator’s licence for light goods vehicles, the transport manager needs to have sufficient professional competence.
This criterion may be met in one of the following ways:
- The transport manager has passed the operator's licence test for light goods vehicles at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
- The transportmanager can dokument that (s)he has managed a transport enterprise using light goods vehicles, for at least 10 consecutive years before 1 January 2026.
If the transport manager already meets the competence requirements for a Community licence for goods transport, this also counts as sufficient competence for a national operator’s licence for light goods vehicles.
Documenting the operation of the enterprise
Applicants for a national operator’s licence for light goods vehicles need to document that the transport manager has managed a transport enterprise using light goods vehicles for at least 10 consecutive years before 1 January 2026. The documentation must show that the company has had light goods vehicles at their disposal throughout the entire period.
Operation of the enterprise can be documented by one of the following:
- A copy of transport assignment agreements documenting goods transport by light goods vehicles throughout the entire period
- Excerpt from accounts documenting goods transport for hire or reward using light goods vehicles
Other requirements applying to operator’s licences for light goods vehicles
For other licensing requirements such as financial standing, good conduct and stable establishment, it has been decided that the rules in the Professional Transport Regulations apply in full. You can read more about the requirements for financial standing, good conduct and stable establishment on this page.
The rules regarding national operator’s licences for light goods vehicles are introduced in the form of an amendment to the Professional Transport Regulations.
Book an appointment to take the operator’s licence test for light goods vehicles
The test can only be taken in Norwegian.
A responsible transport manager in the enterprise needs to pass an operator’s licence test on the following topics:
- Professional transport and the rules and regulations relating to road traffic
- The Working Environment Act and subordinate rules and regulations
- Driving behaviour and traffic safety
- HSE
- Rules for establishing enterprises and different forms of organisation
- Financial control of an enterprise
- Financial management and accounting services
- Taxes and duties
Fees for national operator’s licences
The fee to be paid for a licence is NOK 930.
Why do light goods vehicles need a national operator’s licence?
The requirement for an operator’s licence aims to ensure fair competition in the transport industry and prevent work-related crime. A national operator’s licence is not bound by the rules of EEA law, which means that there may be national requirements for professional competence for licence holders. In this way, the requirements can be adapted to the industry involving goods transport by light goods vehicles.