Basic traffic course – the road to your driving licence starts here

Aim of the course

The course gives students a basic understanding of traffic and perspective on the role of the driver. Students will learn more about themselves than about the traffic rules. The emphasis is on risk awareness and thinking about consequences. Conversations, discussions and problem-solving shape the format of the course. In this way, the authorities and driving schools aim to help students become conscious and responsible drivers, and to get them on board to help reduce traffic accidents. The course is 17 hours and compulsory.

What you'll learn on the course

The basic traffic course is compulsory and consists of a total of 17 hours spread over several days. We go through everything you need to become a safe road user:

• Traffic training: Understanding how the traffic system works in Norway.
• Basic understanding: How we interact with other cars, cyclists and pedestrians.
• People in traffic: What responsibility you have as a driver, and how focus and inattention affect your driving.
• First aid: Practical training in what to do at a traffic accident, including life-saving first aid and alerting the emergency services.
• Night-driving: A demonstration of how visibility and light work in the dark, and why reflectors are vital.: For everyone under 25 (if you're over 25, you're exempt from parts of the course).

Good to know before the course starts

To make the course as good as possible, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• ID: We recommend bringing valid ID to the course.
• Age: You can take the course from the age of 15. (Over 25? Then you're exempt from parts of the course, but you still need first aid and night-driving.)
• Attendance: Arrive in good time. If you arrive too late, we can't approve the session under the rules from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
• Clothing: For the night-driving demonstration, we'll be outdoors. Remember warm clothes and good footwear!
• Certificate: Once the course is completed and registered, you'll find your course certificate digitally on "Din side" (My Page) at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. You must bring this when you practise driving.

Useful links

The Driver Training Regulations (Lovdata)
The Driving Licence Regulations (Lovdata)
General info and useful tips before you start practising driving (Statens vegvesen)

We see good collaboration between the driving school, the student and parents/accompanying drivers as important for achieving good and effective training. That's why we like to hold a FREE information meeting about practice driving after each basic traffic course. Here the instructor can offer advice and tips on practice driving so that your time behind the wheel is as effective as possible.

I've lost my certificate. What do I do?

Log in at vegvesen.no/dinside and find your certificate there. You can also contact Bergen traffic station to have a new one sent to you.

Do I have to take the basic traffic course if I already have a licence in another category?

No, if you have a driving licence in another category (e.g. moped or tractor), you usually don't need to take the basic traffic course again.

How long is the course certificate valid?

The certificate is valid indefinitely once the whole course is completed. If you took the course during the summer half of the year without night-driving, the certificate is only valid until 31 January the following year.

What happens if I miss a session?

Since all the sessions are compulsory, missed sessions must be made up on a later course before we can issue a certificate.

I'm over 25 – do I have to attend?

You don't need the basic course itself, but you must complete first aid and night-driving before taking the practical driving test.