Road signs in Norway

Road signs in Norway are regulated by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Statens vegvesen.

Signs follow the general European conventions concerning the use of shape and colour to indicate function. Any text included on supplementary signs will normally be in Norwegian, but may in some cases be bilingual. In Northern parts of Norway, municipal and informative signs may be printed in both Norwegian and Sami. In areas close to the Russian border, signs may be written in both the Latin and Cyrillic scripts.

No more than three signs (road number indications excepted) may be mounted on any one pole, with the most important sign appearing at the top. As is customary in European countries, all signs are partly or fully reflectorized or are provided with their own night-time illumination.

The current set of designs were introduced through a reform that went into effect 1 June 2006, replacing the old set from 1967. As the law outlining this reform was published 7 October 2005, some signs were already replaced before the law went into effect. The most notable change was the removal of hats and hair on the stickmen making them gender-neutral, but many signs were redesigned or introduced for the first time, as noted below.^[1][2][3]

Hazard warning signs

Warning signs are mostly triangular, with black symbols on a white background with a red border. Warning signs that are used only temporarily have a yellow background. On Svalbard, a unique warning sign with a black background and white symbol is used for polar bears.

• 
  Dangerous curve
  Right.
• 
  Dangerous curve
  Left.
• 
  Dangerous curves
  First to the right.
• 
  Dangerous curves
  First to the left.
• 
  Steep hill
  Upwards.
• 
  Steep hill
  Downwards.
• 
  Road narrows
  On both sides.
• 
  Road narrows
  On right side.
• 
  Road narrows
  On left side.
• 
  Uneven road
• 
  Road hump^{[N 1]}
• 
  Road works^{[N 2][N 3]}
• 
  Loose chippings
• 
  Landslides
  Warns that rocks, soil or snow may slide onto the road, but also that chunks may be present from previous landslides.
• 
  Landslides
• 
  Slippery road
  Road is known to be especially slippery under special conditions, like rainfall.
• 
  Dangerous shoulder^{[N 1]}
• 
  Opening or swing bridge
• 
  Quayside or river bank
• 
  Tunnel^{[N 2]}
• 
  Crossroads
  Warns about dangerous crossroads which have normal rules for traffic priority.
• 
  Roundabout
• 
  Traffic signals
• 
  Level crossing with a gate or barrier
• 
  Level crossing without a gate or barrier^{[N 2]}
• 
  Countdown marker
  These signs may be used to represent the distance to a level crossing in three equal parts. Closest to the crossing.
• 
  Countdown marker
  Between other countdown markers.
• 
  Countdown marker
  Furthest from the crossing.
• 
  Level crossing
  Single track: Placed at the crossing.
• 
  Level crossing
  Multiple tracks: Placed at the crossing.
• 
  Tramway^{[N 1]}
• 
  Distance to pedestrian crossing^{[N 2]}
  Distance represented with supplementary sign
• 
  Children^{[N 2]}
  Warns that children often traverse or walk on the roads due to a nearby school, child-care center, playground or similar.
• 
  Cyclist^{[N 2]}
  Warns that cyclists often traverse or travel on the roads.
• 
  Moose
  Warns that moose often traverse or travel on the roads.
• 
  Reindeer
  Warns that reindeer often traverse or travel on the roads.
• 
  Deer
  Warns that deer often traverse or travel on the roads.
• 
  Cattle
  Warns that cattle often traverse or travel on the roads.
• 
  Sheep
  Warns that sheep often traverse or travel on the roads.
• 
  Two-way traffic
  Warning of two-way traffic on the road ahead
• 
  Traffic queues likely^{[N 1]}
• 
  Low-flying aircraft^{[N 2]}
• 
  Crosswinds
• 
  Traffic accident^{[N 4]}
• 
  Skiers^{[N 2]}
  Warns that skiers often traverse or travel on the roads.
• 
  Riders^{[N 2]}
  Warns that riders often traverse or travel on the roads.
• 
  Other danger
  Details are written on a supplementary sign.
• 
  (1) Polar bear
  (2) Snowmobiles
  (1) Warns that polar bears may be present.
  (2) Warns that people on snowmobiles may traverse the roads.

Give way and Priority signs

• 
  Give way
• 
  Stop
  It is mandatory to stop completely as close to the stop line or the crossing road as possible before continuing.
• 
  Priority road
  Priority at all following crossroads up to an end of priority road, give way or stop sign.
• 
  End of priority road
• 
  Priority crossroads
  Warns about dangerous crossroads where the road has priority. Crossing roads have give way or stop signs.
• 
  Give way for oncoming traffic
• 
  Priority over oncoming traffic

Prohibitory signs

Restrictive signs are mostly circular, with black symbols on a white background with a red border. The exceptions are zone signs which are rectangular, and no parking signs which use a red symbol on a blue background. These signs are valid from where they stand and for the entirety of the road until it is ended by another sign, or until the next crossroads depending on the specific sign.

• 
  No entry
• 
  Road closed to all traffic
• 
  No motor vehicles^{[N 2]}
• 
  No tractors or motor vehicles slower than 40 km/h^{[N 2]}
• 
  No motor cycles or mopeds^{[N 2]}
• 
  No lorries
• 
  No cyclists^{[N 2]}
• 
  No pedestrians^{[N 2]}
• 
  No pedestrians or cyclists^{[N 2]}
• 
  No riders^{[N 2]}
• 
  No transport of dangerous goods^{[N 1]}
• 
  Total weight limit^{[N 1]}
  Restriction is for motor vehicles with more than two wheels and an allowed total weight limit above the given weight limit.
• 
  Width limit
  Restriction is for a vehicle including all of its goods.
• 
  Height limit
  Restriction is for a vehicle including all of its goods.
• 
  Length limit
  Restriction is for a vehicle including all of its goods.
• 
  Weight limit for vehicles
  Restriction is for each vehicle in the case of a lorry.
• 
  Weight limit for lorries
  Restriction is for the combined weight in the case of a lorry, though no single vehicle is permitted above the limit either.
• 
  Axle weight limit^{[N 2]}
  No vehicle with weight above the given limit for each axle, and maximum 150% of the limit for each bogie.
• 
  Bogie weight limit
• 
  Stop for control
  Vehicle is not permitted to continue until the action described is done.
• 
  Stop for tax
  Vehicle is not permitted to continue until the action described is done.
• 
  Stop for customs
  Vehicle is not permitted to continue until the action described is done.
• 
  No right turn
  For the next intersection unless otherwise stated with a supplementary sign.
• 
  No left turn
  For the next intersection unless otherwise stated with a supplementary sign.
• 
  No U-turn
  Until and including the next crossroads.
• 
  No overtaking
  Restriction is for overtaking motor vehicles with more than two wheels. Overtaking on the right side is permitted by normal traffic rules.
• 
  No overtaking for lorries^{[N 1]}
  Restriction is for lorries with a total weight above 3.500 kg overtaking motor vehicles with more than two wheels. Overtaking on the right side is permitted by normal traffic rules.
• 
  End of no overtaking
• 
  End of no overtaking for lorries^{[N 1]}
• 
  Speed limit
  Speed limit of given km/h until new speed limit, end of speed limit, speed limit zone or any pedestrian precinct sign
• 
  End of speed limit
  This means a speed limit of 50 km/h in populated areas and 80 km/h in rural areas.
• 
  Speed limit zone
  Speed limit of given km/h until end of speed limit, end of speed limit zone or any pedestrian precinct sign
• 
  End of speed limit zone
• 
  No stopping
  No stops until the next crossing road or until another sign ends it.
• 
  No parking
  No parking on the side of the road where the sign is until the next crossing road or until another sign ends it.
• 
  Parking zone
  Parking permitted until end of parking zone sign. Often with supplementary text about when the sign is valid.
• 
  No parking zone
  No parking permitted until end of parking zone sign. Often with supplementary text about when the sign is valid.
• 
  End of parking zone
• 
  End of no parking zone

Mandatory signs

Mandatory signs are all circular like the restrictive signs, but feature white symbols on a blue background.

• 
  Proceed right
• 
  Proceed left
• 
  Proceed straight
• 
  Turn right
• 
  Turn left
• 
  Drive straight or turn right
• 
  Drive straight or turn left
• 
  Turn right or left
• 
  Pass on right
• 
  Pass on left
• 
  Roundabout^{[N 2]}

Informative signs

• 
  Motorway
  Speed limit is 110 km/h if there's a wide bank or fence between opposing directions, otherwise 90 km/h unless a lower limit is specifically set.
• 
  Motor traffic way
  Speed limit is 90 km/h unless a lower limit is specifically set.
• 
  End of motorway
• 
  End of motor traffic way
• 
  Bus lane
• 
  Bus and taxi lane
• 
  Car-pool lane^{[N 1]}
• 
  End of bus lane
• 
  End of bus and taxi lane
• 
  End of car-pool lane^{[N 1]}
• 
  Bus stop
• 
  Tram stop^{[N 1]}
• 
  Taxi stop
• 
  Pedestrian crossing^{[N 2]}
• 
  Pedestrian crossing^{[N 2]}
• 
  Pedestrian way^{[N 5]}
• 
  Cycle track^{[N 5]}
• 
  Cycle lane (Edge)^{[N 1]}
• 
  Cycle lane (Centered)^{[N 4]}
• 
  Shared-use footway^{[N 5]}
• 
  Meeting point
  Used frequently on long stretches of narrow roads.
• 
  One-way
• 
  One-way
• 
  Dead end
  Road physically closed
• 
  Dead end
  Side-road physically closed
• 
  Dead end^{[N 1]}
  Road closed for vehicles
• 
  Dead end^{[N 1]}
  Side-road closed for vehicles
• 
  Free choice of lane
• 
  Merging lanes
  Merging by the “zipper method”.
• 
  Merging roads with speed regulation lane
  Oncoming lane has to adapt. Merging by the “zipper method”.
• 
  Merging roads with speed regulation lane
  This lane has to adapt. Merging by the “zipper method”.
• 
  End of lane
  The ending lane has to give way.
• 
  New lane starts
• 
  Added lane with oncoming traffic
• 
  Lane division
  Denotes the number of lanes and what direction they go.
• 
  Changed driving pattern^{[N 1]}
  May be used in conjunction with road works.
• 
  Living street^{[N 5]}
  The speed limit is “walking speed”.
• 
  End of living street^{[N 5]}
• 
  Pedestrian zone^{[N 1]}
• 
  End of pedestrian zone^{[N 1]}
• 
  Parking
• 
  Breakdown pocket
• 
  Automatic traffic control^{[N 1]}
• 
  Video surveillance^{[N 1]}
• 
  Information board
  May provide information about miscellaneous traffic conditions. May have a brown background if the information is specifically aimed at tourists. Must have a yellow background if it's a temporary sign, or an orange background if it provides information about detours.
• 
  Wrong way^{[N 4]}
• 
  Emergency exit
  For tunnels.
• 
  Direction and distance to emergency exit
  For tunnels.

Service signs

• 
  Radio channel^{[N 1]}
  FM frequency for channel which relays special traffic messages.
• 
  First aid
• 
  Emergency phone^{[N 2]}
• 
  Fire extinguisher^{[N 2]}
• 
  Workshop
• 
  Petrol station^{[N 2]}
• 
  Toilet emptying facility^{[N 1]}
  For caravans, buses, etc.
• 
  Toilet
• 
  Rest stop^{[N 2]}
• 
  Rest stop with toilet^{[N 1]}
• 
  Simple dining^{[N 2]}
• 
  Dining
• 
  Camp site^{[N 2]}
• 
  Caravan park^{[N 1]}
• 
  Camping park^{[N 2]}
• 
  Hostel^{[N 2]}
• 
  Bed & Breakfast^{[N 4]}
• 
  Rental beds^{[N 2]}
• 
  Information^{[N 2]}
• 
  Tourist information office^{[N 1]}
• 
  Attraction^{[N 3]}
  Symbol may be replaced by a representation of the attraction.
• 
  Museum or Art gallery^{[N 1]}
• 
  Viewpoint^{[N 1]}
• 
  Protected natural area^{[N 1]}
• 
  Activities, outdoor recreation, etc.^{[N 2][N 3]}
• 
  Fishing area^{[N 1]}
• 
  Hiking trail^{[N 1]}
• 
  Ski trail^{[N 1]}
• 
  Traditional food and rural tourism^{[N 1]}

Direction signs

Direction signs inform about places, businesses, routes, choice of lanes, choice of roads and distance to destinations. Direction signs with a yellow background (blue on motorways) show geographical destinations. Direction signs with a white background (or white fields on yellow and blue signs) show local destinations. Direction signs with a brown background show destinations of special interest to tourism. Orange backgrounds denote temporary detours.

• 
  Orientation board^{[N 5]}
• 
  Diagram orientation board^{[N 5]}
• 
  Exit board^{[N 5]}
• 
  Lane orientation board^{[N 5]}
  Shows number of lanes towards an intersection, and which directions or destinations each of them are intended for.
• 
  Portal orientation board^{[N 5]}
  Used on portals. Shows which directions or destinations a lane is intended for.
• 
  Board guide^{[N 5]}
• 
  Regular destination guide^{[N 5]}
• 
  Exit guide^{[N 5]}
  Alternative: 1
• 
  Lane guide^{[N 1]}
  Shows which destination a lane is intended for.
• 
  Portal guide^{[N 5]}
  Used on portals. Shows which destination a lane is intended for.
• 
  European route
• 
  European route
  Signifies a route that leads to the given route.
• 
  Trunk road^{[N 1]}
• 
  Trunk road^{[N 1]}
  Signifies a route that leads to the given route.
• 
  Numbered county road
• 
  Numbered county road
  Signifies a route that leads to the given route.
• 
  Ring road^{[N 1]}
• 
  Ring road^{[N 1]}
  Signifies a route that leads to the given ring road.
• 
  National tourist road^{[N 1]}
  Symbol may be used on service signs.
• 
  Detour for large vehicles
• 
  Route for vehicles with dangerous goods^{[N 1]}
• 
  Miscellaneous detour^{[N 1]}
  Signifies a detour where use of road names is not viable. One symbol is used for the entire route, so that different symbols may be used in the event of multiple routes. The line is generally used.
• 
  Miscellaneous detour^{[N 1]}
• 
  Miscellaneous detour^{[N 1]}
• 
  Miscellaneous detour^{[N 1]}
• 
  Miscellaneous detour^{[N 1]}
  Generally only used under special circumstances, as some countries use this symbol on detours for vehicles with dangerous goods.
• 
  Miscellaneous detour^{[N 1]}
  Different arrows may be used to show the right direction.
• 
  Intersection number^{[N 1]}
  Blue for motorways with multiple lanes. Intended solely for orientation.
• 
  Intersection number^{[N 1]}
  Yellow for general roads with multiple lanes.
• 
  Intersection number^{[N 1]}
  Yellow for general roads with a single lane.
• 
  Distance board^{[N 5]}
  Shows distance in km to given destination, crossroads or exit.
• 
  Region name sign^{[N 5]}
  Alternative: 1
  May show city, urban area, administrative border or other place names of significance to orientation.
• 
  Street sign
• 
  Collective guide sign^{[N 1]}
  Shows destinations that may be reached through the same road at the next crossroads or exit.
• 
  Detour for certain vehicles^{[N 1]}
• 
  Temporary detour^{[N 5]}
• 
  End of temporary detour^{[N 1]}
• 
  Guide for pedestrians^{[N 5]}
• 
  Guide for bicycle route
• 
  Board guide for bicycle route
• 
  Bicycle route
• 
  Distance sign for bicycle route
• 
  Motorway^{[N 5]}
• 
  Motor traffic road^{[N 5]}
• 
  Toll road^{[N 6]}
• 
  Parking^{[N 5]}
• 
  Parking house^{[N 6]}
• 
  Airport^{[N 5]}
• 
  Helipad^{[N 6]}
• 
  Bus station/terminal^{[N 6]}
• 
  Train station/terminal^{[N 6]}
• 
  Ferry^{[N 5]}
• 
  Chain^{[N 4]}
  Tire chain is required for trailers when the weather conditions are bad enough.
• 
  Church^{[N 5]}
• 
  Industry area^{[N 5]}
• 
  Swimming hall^{[N 6]}
• 
  Alpine facility^{[N 6]}
• 
  Ski jump slope^{[N 6]}
• 
  Ski arena^{[N 6]}
• 
  Golf course^{[N 6]}
• 
  Payment with electronic chip^{[N 6]}
• 
  Payment to attendant^{[N 6]}
• 
  Payment with coins to machine^{[N 6]}
• 
  Payment with card to machine^{[N 6]}
• 
  Payment with banknotes to machine^{[N 6]}
• 
  Remove ticket from closed payment system^{[N 6]}
• 
  Use ticket in closed payment system^{[N 6]}
• 
  Automatic toll road^{[N 6]}
  No stopping required.
• 
  Payment with AutoPASS^{[N 6]}

Supplementary signs

• 
  Distance
  Advance warning about where the main sign goes into effect, or where a corresponding sign is set up.
• 
  Stretch
  Main sign is in effect for the given distance.
• 
  Time
  Main sign is only in effect between given times. Black numbers in parenthesis apply on Saturdays, and red numbers apply on Sundays and official holidays.
• 
  Car
  Main sign applies to this type of vehicle.
• 
  Lorry
• 
  Bus
• 
  Road train
• 
  Trailer furnished for camping
• 
  Bicycle^{[N 2]}
• 
  Motorcycle and moped^{[N 2]}
• 
  Handicapped driver
  Requires a visible parking permit for handicapped drivers.
• 
  Vehicle furnished for camping^{[N 1]}
• 
  Text
  Used when there are no symbols that represent the regulation or information. Depicted sign is common and says: “Does not apply to buses and taxis”.
• 
  Turn arrow
  Arrows vary. Main sign applies after the turn.
• 
  Recommended speed
• 
  Uphill inclination^{[N 1]}
• 
  Actual available width
• 
  Crossing lumber transport^{[N 2]}
• 
  Particular danger of accident^{[N 1]}
  Symbol varies.
• 
  Course of priority road
  Symbol varies. Priority road is represented by the thick line. Roads represented by thin lines have give way or stop signs for the priority road.
• 
  Advance warning for stop sign
• 
  Bicycle traffic in both directions^{[N 2]}
• 
  Direction for a stop or parking regulation sign
• 
  Direction for a stop or parking regulation sign
• 
  Direction for a stop or parking regulation sign
• 
  Arrangement for parked vehicles^{[N 1]}
• 
  Parking board^{[N 1]}
  Indicates that parking is only allowed by given regulations when a valid parking ticket is placed highly visible inside the windshield.
• 
  Combined regulation

Marker signs

Marker signs inform drivers of a road's onward course, or warn of obstacles near or on the road. Temporary marker signs, e.g. during road works, use a red background colour.

• 
  Background marker
  
• 
  Background marker
  
• 
  Directional marker
  Used on long or dangerous bends.
• 
  Directional marker
  Used on long or dangerous bends.
• 
  Obstacle marker
  Keep left of the sign.
• 
  Obstacle marker
  Keep right of the sign.
• 
  Obstacle marker
  Pass on either side.
• 
  Obstacle marker
• 
  Lanes diverge either side of the marker
  Used mainly on high-speed roads.
• 
  Tunnel marker
• 
  Tunnel marker
• 
  Distance marker for tunnels^{[N 1]}
  Indicates the distance to each exit.

Notes

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Road signs in Norway.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Driving in Norway.