Children and young people may be entitled to free school transport when the journey to school is long, particularly dangerous or difficult, requires a boat, or when the pupil needs transport because of a disability, injury or illness. The rules apply to both primary and lower secondary school and upper secondary school, but there are important differences.
Is the Norwegian school system new to your family? SamfunnPrep's overview of the school system in Norway explains the different stages and who is responsible for the school.
Who is entitled to free school transport?
Distance gives a right to transport when the journey to school is more than 2 kilometres in grade 1, more than 4 kilometres in grades 2–10 or more than 6 kilometres in upper secondary school. Other rules may give a right even when the journey is shorter.
The distance limits are:
- Grade 1: more than 2 kilometres
- Grades 2–10: more than 4 kilometres
- Upper secondary school: more than 6 kilometres
The words “more than” are important. A school journey of exactly 2, 4 or 6 kilometres is not enough under the distance rule. The route is measured from the entrance door at home to the entrance door at the school, along the shortest route that can be used. It is not measured in a straight line. The season may affect whether a path or road is considered passable.
Pupils who need a boat are entitled to free boat transport regardless of distance. However, the route to and from the boat must meet another condition if the pupil also needs transport for that part of the journey.
In upper secondary school, the county authority may provide transport or full reimbursement of necessary transport expenses. In areas with good public transport, the county may instead have a time-limited scheme with a subsidised youth travel card.
When is the route to school particularly dangerous or difficult?
A primary or lower secondary school pupil may receive transport when part of the route presents a particular risk that is greater than the child can normally manage. This rule does not apply as a separate basis in upper secondary school.
The municipality must make two assessments:
- The road and traffic: including speed, traffic volume, pavements, road width, visibility, lighting, junctions and pedestrian crossings.
- The individual child: including age, development, maturity, sight and hearing.
Ordinary traffic hazards are not always enough. At the same time, the same route may be safe for an older pupil and particularly dangerous for a younger child. Darkness, snow, ice and snow clearing may also mean that the pupil is entitled to transport during only part of the year.
Describe the specific stretch of road in the application. Maps, photographs, times of heavy traffic and information about winter conditions can make the case clearer. The municipality must assess the child individually. In some cases, a safe alternative route or a travel companion may be an adequate solution instead of separate transport.
What applies in the event of illness, injury or disability?
Pupils in both primary and lower secondary school and upper secondary school may receive transport without a minimum distance when a disability, injury or illness makes transport necessary. What matters is the need during the journey to school, not just the name of a diagnosis.
The rule may cover physical and mental health conditions. The need may be permanent or temporary, for example after an injury. The pupil does not need to be completely unable to walk. It is enough that the condition causes a burden beyond what is usual and creates a genuine need for transport.
Attach relevant documentation explaining what the pupil is able to do, why transport is needed, how long the need is expected to last, and whether the transport must be adapted. SamfunnPrep also has a separate overview of rights for people with disabilities.
The responsible authority chooses the means of transport, but the solution must be suitable and safe for the pupil. Pupils who receive transport on this basis will normally be entitled to transport from home. Also ask for a travel companion or supervision if the pupil needs help during the journey or while waiting.
Does transport apply to SFO and shared residence?
Transport to and from SFO applies only when a disability, injury or illness creates the need. A long distance or a particularly dangerous route alone does not give a right to SFO transport.
The right based on health or disability also does not apply to transport to homework assistance or SFO during school holidays. On days when the pupil does not attend SFO, the pupil may still have ordinary transport to and from school. Read more about the service in the guide to SFO and AKS in Norway.
With shared residence, the pupil may be entitled to transport from both homes. The stays must be fixed and regular, but they do not have to be divided 50/50. Occasional visits do not give this right.
The conditions are assessed separately from each home. One route may therefore give a right even if the other does not. Attach an agreement, calendar or another overview showing the fixed schedule. It must also be possible to provide suitable and safe transport from each home. If this is not possible from one of the homes, the law does not give a right to transport from that home.
How do you apply for school transport?
The application procedure is local. Start on the school's or county authority's website, or ask the school office where the application should be sent.
The county authority has primary responsibility for transport based on distance, a boat journey, disability, injury or illness. The municipality is responsible when a primary or lower secondary school pupil applies because a shorter school route is particularly dangerous or difficult. The school or a transport company may process the matter on their behalf.
Use this checklist:
- State the pupil's name, place of residence, school, grade, and the relevant days and times.
- Select the correct basis: distance, dangerous route, boat, or health and disability.
- Attach a map, a description of the route, relevant health documentation or a shared residence schedule.
- Explain any need for adapted transport, a travel companion or supervision.
- Ask for a written decision and keep the application and attachments.
Send the application early enough for the transport to be planned before the start of school, and check local dates. If information is missing, the public administration must help ensure that the matter is sufficiently documented.
Parents cannot be required to drive a child who is entitled to transport. If you agree to private driving, necessary and actual expenses must be covered. Put the agreement in place before you expect reimbursement.
How do you appeal a rejection?
Send the appeal to the body that made the decision, normally within three weeks after you received it. Follow the appeal instructions in the decision.
State which decision the appeal concerns, what change you want, and why the assessment is wrong. Attach documentation that supports the appeal. This may be a new distance measurement, photographs of the road, information about winter conditions, a clearer medical statement or the shared residence schedule.
The authority that made the decision must reassess the matter. If your appeal is not upheld in full, it is forwarded to Statsforvalteren. You may also ask to see the documents in the case. The child's views and best interests must form part of an individual assessment.
If you need help with the structure, you can use the guide to appealing public-sector decisions.
Which exceptions should you know about?
Some groups of pupils and school situations have limitations that are easy to overlook.
- Apprentices, training candidates, practice certificate candidates and candidates taking a trade certificate while working are not covered by these rules for pupils.
- Pupils at private schools approved under privatskoleloven usually have a corresponding right, but only within their home municipality in primary and lower secondary school and their home county in upper secondary school. Some private primary and lower secondary schools approved under opplæringsloven § 22-1 are not covered.
- If the family chooses a different primary or lower secondary school for private reasons, the municipality may make a parental contribution towards extra transport a condition in the school-transfer decision. The municipality cannot do this when the school transfer is necessary to secure a statutory right, such as a safe school environment.
- Transport does not always mean collection at the door. The pupil may have to walk a reasonable and safe distance to a collection point.
The right is to a suitable and safe solution, not automatically to a taxi or a particular means of transport. Always consider the whole journey: walking time, waiting time, transfers, safety, age and functional ability.
Keep decisions, documentation and local deadlines together in one place. On SamfunnPrep, you can find more practical tools for everyday life in Norway if you want to make a simple checklist before applying.
