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Car Rental in Norway

Car rental in Norway gives you complete control over your route, but road rules and costs shift dramatically between regions. Winter tyre laws start earlier in the north, Oslo toll rings charge up to three times more than regional rings, and convoy driving rules govern remote mountain passes. Check licence rules and operator policies before booking.

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By Sophie6 min readPublished
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The Atlantic Road in Norway curving between low islets, its arched bridge rising over open water
Photo: Martin Schmitt · CC BY 2.0

In Brief

Is it worth renting a car in Norway?

Renting a car in Norway is worth it if you plan to explore remote fjords, scenic mountain passes, or chase the northern lights in Arctic regions. For city stays strictly in Oslo or Bergen, public transport avoids steep toll rings, high parking fees, and complex winter driving regulations.

Key takeaways

  • Winter tyre tread depth of 3 mm is mandatory from 1 November in the south, but starts 16 October in northern counties.
  • Oslo toll gantries charge up to NOK 50 for diesel cars during peak hours across three municipal rings.
  • Statens vegvesen monitors 108 weather-exposed road stretches, with 13 fixed convoy routes located entirely in Finnmark.
  • A credit card in the primary driver's name is standard, with security authorisations starting from NOK 1,000 to NOK 3,000.

NOK 399/day

economy class, before extras

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How much does car rental cost in Norway?

Rough daily prices by car type. Rates rise in peak season - book early for the best deal.

Car typePrice / dayGood to know
Toyota Aygo X (small city car)NOK 399/dayStandard rate via Hyre in Oslo; includes 150 km daily allowance with additional distance at NOK 3 per km.
Renault 5 (electric city car)NOK 799/dayElectric hatchback rate via Hyre; lowers to NOK 599 with Hyre Pass Plus subscription.
Toyota bZ4X (electric SUV)NOK 969/dayHyre electric SUV offering extra ground clearance; subscription rate is NOK 899 per day.
Skoda Octavia (family car)NOK 999/dayStandard family estate rate via Hyre; lowers to NOK 799 per day with monthly pass subscription.
Class B Compact (e.g. Skoda Fabia)NOK 295/dayRent-A-Wreck Tromso branch 24-hour rate plus NOK 2.25 per km; free mileage option costs NOK 695 per day.
Class C Mid-size (e.g. Volvo S60)NOK 395/dayRent-A-Wreck Tromso branch 24-hour rate plus NOK 2.50 per km; free mileage option is NOK 795 per day.

Transmission: Both manual and automatic vehicles are widely available, though four-wheel-drive configurations vary significantly between fleet categories.

Pick your budget

  • Budget

    Toyota Aygo X from NOK 399/day

    Toyota Aygo X (small city car)

    Compact petrol car booked via smartphone app for southern Norway city driving, including 150 km daily allowance.

    See prices
  • Most popular

    Mid-range

    Renault 5 Electric from NOK 799/day

    Renault 5 (electric city car)

    Modern zero-emission hatchback suitable for regional highway travel near major charging networks.

    See prices

  • Splurge

    Toyota bZ4X SUV from NOK 969/day

    Toyota bZ4X (electric SUV)

    High-riding electric sport utility vehicle providing enhanced clearance and stability on slippery routes.

    See prices

Driving in Norway: what to know

  • Winter tyre calendars differ by airport location

    According to Statens vegvesen, tyre tread depth must be at least 3 mm during winter. In southern Norway, this rule applies from 1 November until the first Sunday after Easter Monday. In Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark, the 3 mm requirement runs from 16 October to 30 April. Landing in Oslo in late October means your car may legally carry summer tyres, whereas northern airports require winter tyres during that exact period. Ask the counter staff to confirm what tyres are fitted.

  • Driving in Norway in winter and convoy procedures

    Statens vegvesen monitors 108 mountain passes and weather-exposed roads across the country. Thirteen of these stretches operate on fixed convoy timetables, and all thirteen are located in Finnmark. When joining a convoy (kolonnekjoring), maintenance crews require a full fuel tank or battery charge, a tow rope, shovel, winter footwear, warm clothes, food, and hot drinks. Crews can turn away vehicles with inadequate equipment. Keep a distance of 15 metres from passenger cars and 50 metres from heavy vehicles.

  • Oslo studded tyre fees and municipal permits

    Driving on studded tyres in Oslo between 1 November 2026 and 4 April 2027 requires an electronic permit (piggdekkoblat) from Oslo kommune. For light vehicles up to 3,500 kg, the cost is NOK 35 for 24 hours, NOK 450 for a calendar month, or NOK 1,400 for the entire season. Driving without a permit carries a NOK 750 fine. Hertz Norway fits mainly non-studded friction tyres to its fleet, but other operators do not publish their tyre types, so check your wheels at pickup.

  • Navigating AutoPASS tolls and operator admin fees

    All drivers must pay tolls on Norwegian roads. In Greater Oslo, Fjellinjen operates 83 toll stations across three rings, charging NOK 38 to NOK 47 for petrol cars and NOK 42 to NOK 50 for diesel vehicles, with a 20 per cent discount for AutoPASS tag holders. Rental cars carry electronic tags, but rental firms invoice passages later. Hertz Norway passes tolls at standard non-discounted rates plus VAT, and adds a NOK 375 fee for re-invoicing unpaid parking or manual tolls. Rent-A-Wreck adds a NOK 200 fee.

  • Road rules, headlight laws and strict alcohol limits

    Norway enforces a strict blood alcohol limit of 0.02 per cent. Headlights must remain on at all times, day and night. General statutory speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up urban zones and 80 km/h on rural roads unless marked otherwise. Using a handheld mobile phone while driving risks a fine of NOK 10,000. Pulling over to rest or view scenery is strictly forbidden inside tunnels, on hill crests, or around blind curves.

  • Paying for car ferries on coastal routes

    Statens vegvesen oversees the AutoPASS for ferry scheme. While private residents use prepaid accounts for discounts, hirers cannot easily order advance tags. If your rental vehicle's tag does not handle the crossing automatically, you can pay the ferry crew on board using a credit card (SoftPay) to avoid administrative postal charges. Crossing without on-board payment generates a paper bill to the vehicle owner, which triggers a NOK 35 fee plus rental company processing surcharges.

Best drives in Norway

The routes worth renting a car for - see our road trips guide for more.

  • Norwegian Scenic Route Senja

    A 102 km drive along Fv862 and Fv86 between Botnhamn and Gryllefjord; four passes on this island network are monitored for winter closures by Statens vegvesen.

  • Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten

    A 230 km coastal drive along the E10 from Raftsundet to A; stays below 60 masl and can be driven in winter without mandatory ferry connections.

  • Norwegian Scenic Route Andoya

    A 58 km exposed shoreline drive between Andenes and Bjornskinn; connecting summer ferries to Senja do not operate during winter months.

  • Norwegian Scenic Route Havoysund

    A 67 km route on Fv889 from Kokelv to Havoysund; the Snefjord to Havoysund stretch is one of 13 roads in Norway subject to scheduled winter convoys.

Car rental in Norway: FAQ

The questions travelers ask most before renting a car here.

Yes. Statens vegvesen allows visitors with non-EU/EEA licences to drive for up to three months. Australia, Singapore, and India are party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. An International Driving Permit is required by Norwegian authorities if your licence lacks a photograph, is not written in the Latin alphabet, or uses licence classes differing from international models. Because operators such as Europcar apply stricter desk policies for non-Norwegian licences, carrying an IDP provides useful insurance.

Desks for major providers at Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) are located in the Bilutleiepaviljongen at the entrance to car park P10, connected directly to the terminal building. Hertz and Hyre base their vehicles within P10 on level 1B, allowing walking access without shuttle buses. Rent-A-Wreck operates an off-airport facility that adds a NOK 880 airport surcharge to bookings.

One-way car rental is permitted by major operators like Hertz and Avis, though arrangements must be approved in advance. Fees depend on the return destination distance, though neither brand publishes set amounts online. Hyre and Rent-A-Wreck do not offer one-way trips, requiring all vehicles to return to their starting branch or designated municipal zone.

Rental cars in Norway come fitted with AutoPASS toll transponders. Gantries record passages automatically, and the rental company bills your credit card following vehicle return. Hertz Norway bills gantry crossings at full undiscounted rates plus VAT, and adds a NOK 375 fee for re-invoicing manual fees. On ferries, you can pay deck staff directly by card to prevent delayed postal invoices.

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