All registered vehicles in Norway must have liability insurance — it is legally required. You can also choose partial or comprehensive coverage for better protection. Through your insurance policy, you also pay traffic insurance fees to the state, and your vehicle must pass MOT inspection regularly.
Why Is Liability Insurance Mandatory?
Liability insurance is required because it covers damages you cause to other people and their property in traffic. The requirement is set out in the Motor Vehicle Liability Act and applies to all vehicles that are registered and in use.
The insurance covers personal injury claims with almost no upper limit, and damage to other people's vehicles or property. It does not, however, cover damage to your own vehicle — you need comprehensive insurance for that. Driving without valid liability insurance is both illegal and costly. On SamfunnPrep we explain the most important concepts simply, so you know what you are paying for.
Three Levels: Liability, Partial and Comprehensive
Car insurance comes in three levels, with each level building on the previous one.
| Insurance | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Liability (mandatory) | Damage to other people and their property |
| Partial | Liability + fire, theft, glass damage and roadside assistance |
| Comprehensive | Partial + damage to your own vehicle from accidents, rollover and vandalism |
For a new or expensive vehicle, comprehensive insurance is usually worthwhile. For an older vehicle with low value, partial or just liability may be enough. If you lease or finance the vehicle, the company often requires you to have comprehensive insurance.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost? Bonus and Deductible
The price depends on the vehicle, your age, where you live, how much you drive and how much bonus you have accumulated. Bonus is a discount you get for driving without claims — it can reach 75–80 percent after several years without incidents. If you have a claim, you lose part of your bonus.
Deductible is the amount you pay yourself in the event of a claim, often between 4,000 and 10,000 kroner. A higher deductible gives a lower price. Compare offers from several companies on finansportalen.no before you choose — the price differences are large. Remember that other ongoing costs come in addition, such as fuel, tolls and parking and parking fines.
Traffic Insurance Fees: The Car Fee You Pay Through Insurance
Since 2018, you pay the old annual fee as a "traffic insurance fee". It has been charged daily through your car insurance since then. The fee goes to the state, not to the insurance company, but the company collects it together with the insurance.
The rates apply per day the vehicle is insured. As of 1 January 2026, the rates are:
- Petrol vehicle and other vehicles under 7,500 kg: 8.40 kr per day (approximately 3,000 kr per year).
- Diesel vehicle without factory-fitted particle filter: 9.80 kr per day (approximately 3,500 kr per year).
- Electric vehicle: 5.85 kr per day (approximately 2,100 kr per year).
- Classic vehicle, moped, tractor and taxi: 1.36 kr per day (approximately 500 kr per year).
If you pay the insurance monthly, you will see the fee as part of the bill.
MOT Inspection: When Does Your Vehicle Need to Go to a Workshop?
A private vehicle must have its first MOT inspection within four years of first registration, and then at least every two years. The MOT inspection, or periodic vehicle inspection, checks that the vehicle is roadworthy — brakes, lights, tyres, steering and emissions.
You will receive a notice from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration at least two months before the deadline and can book an appointment at an approved workshop. If the vehicle fails, the faults must be corrected and the vehicle inspected again within the deadline. If you drive a vehicle that has passed the deadline, it may be taken off the road. Before winter, the correct tyres are also important — check the rules for winter tyres and studded tyres in Norway.
Uninsured Vehicle Costs You 150 Kroner a Day
If you have a registered vehicle without valid liability insurance, you get a fee of 150 kroner for each day it is uninsured. The fee is collected by the Motor Vehicle Insurance Association (TFF) and starts when the vehicle has been uninsured for more than three days.
It only stops when you either take out insurance or deregister the vehicle by returning the number plates. If the vehicle is to stand unused for a long time, it is worthwhile to deregister it — then you avoid both the fee and the traffic insurance fees.
What Do You Do If You Have an Accident?
If an accident occurs, you should fill out a damage report together with the other party. Write down what happened, take pictures of the damages and of the location, and note the registration number and name of everyone involved. For personal injury, fire or a major accident, call emergency number 112 (police) or 113 (ambulance).
Report the accident to your insurance company as quickly as possible — most have both an app and a website for this. The company assesses fault and what is covered. If you are responsible for the accident, you pay the deductible and lose part of your bonus. If the other party is responsible, it is usually their liability insurance that covers the damage to your vehicle. Keep all documentation until the case is finished.
How to Choose the Right Insurance
Think about how much your vehicle is worth, how much you drive and how large a deductible you can tolerate. Read the terms and conditions, not just the price — coverage for roadside assistance, rental vehicles and driver and passenger coverage varies between companies. As someone new to Norway, it may be helpful to bring a Norwegian-speaking friend when reading the terms.
Remember that the traffic rules you must know and good driving habits are what keep your bonus up and the price down. Car insurance, fees and traffic rules are part of everyday finances in Norway — and much of it also appears in the citizenship test. Get started with SamfunnPrep and become more confident in Norwegian society.
