Norwegian traffic terms in English

The glossary

• NorwegianEnglishIn short
• vikepliktduty to give wayThe duty not to obstruct or endanger the other road user – not just 'let through'.
• forkjørsrettpriority (right of way)The right to go first. Does not excuse you from care.
• forkjørsvegpriority roadA road on which you have priority at every junction, from sign 206 to 208.
• høyreregelenthe right-hand ruleAt an unregulated junction you give way to traffic from the right.
• likestilt kryssunregulated (equal) junctionA junction with no signs or lights – the right-hand rule applies.
• rundkjøringroundaboutYou give way to traffic already circulating.
• gangfeltpedestrian crossingPedestrians in or about to step onto it have priority.
• gåendepedestrian
• kjørendedriver or riderAnyone driving or riding a vehicle – cyclists included.
• myke trafikantervulnerable road usersPedestrians, cyclists, children, the elderly.
• kjørebanecarriagewayThe part of the road for vehicles.
• kjørefeltlane
• kollektivfeltpublic-transport laneBuses, taxis and – depending on the sign – electric cars and motorcycles.
• fortaupavementSidewalk, in American English.
• vegskulderhard shoulder
• midtlinjecentre lineYellow in Norway.
• kantlinjeedge lineWhite.
• sperrelinjesolid (barrier) lineMust not be crossed.
• varsellinjewarning lineLong-dash line: a solid line is coming.
• sperreområdehatched areaNot an extra lane.
• fartsgrensespeed limit50 in built-up areas, 80 outside, unless signed.
• tettbygd strøkbuilt-up area
• motorvegmotorway
• motortrafikkvegexpressway (motor-traffic road)Motorway-like, with lower design standards.
• planoverganglevel crossingNo stopping within 5 metres.
• utkjørselexit / drivewayLeaving one, you give way to everyone.
• stansstoppingA brief halt – to let people in or out, or to load.
• parkeringparkingAny halt beyond the brief one.
• møtendeoncoming traffic
• forbikjøringovertakingPassing, in American English.
• feltskiftelane changeMirror, blind spot, signal, manoeuvre.
• blindsoneblind spot
• ryggingreversingYou give way to everyone.
• vendingU-turn
• bremselengdebraking distanceQuadruples when speed doubles.
• reaksjonstidreaction timeAbout one second – 22 metres at 80 km/h.
• stopplengdestopping distanceReaction distance + braking distance.
• tresekundersregelenthe three-second ruleAt least three seconds to the car in front.
• vannplaningaquaplaning
• mønsterdybdetread depthAt least 1.6 mm; 3 mm on winter tyres.
• piggdekkstudded tyres
• nærlysdipped headlightsLow beam, in American English.
• fjernlysmain beamHigh beam. Dip for oncoming traffic and when following.
• kjørelysdaytime running lights
• tåkelysfog lights
• nødblinkhazard warning lights
• varseltrekantwarning trianglePlaced well behind – further the faster the road.
• refleksvesthigh-visibility vest
• promilleper mille (blood alcohol)The limit is 0.2.
• prikkbelastningpenalty pointsDoubled during probation.
• prøveperiodeprobation periodTwo years for a first licence.
• førerkortdriving licence
• vognkortregistration documentThe weight and passenger figures are here.
• EU-kontrollperiodic vehicle inspectionFirst after four years, then every two years.
• totalvektmaximum permitted weightVehicle plus load, fully laden.
• tilhengertrailer
• kulevektnose weightThe weight the trailer puts on the tow ball.
• trafikkreglenethe traffic rulesThe regulation on driving and pedestrian traffic.
• skiltforskriftenthe sign regulations
• vegtrafikkloventhe Road Traffic Act
• fareskiltwarning signTriangle, red border, yellow ground.
• forbudsskiltprohibitory signRound, red ring.
• påbudsskiltmandatory signRound, blue.
• opplysningsskiltinformation signSquare, blue.
• underskiltsupplementary plateModifies the main sign – read both.
• utrykningskjøretøyemergency vehicleMake way when it uses blue lights and siren.
• sporvogntramGenerally has priority.
• holdeplassbus stopLet the bus out where the limit is 60 or lower.
• trafikalt grunnkursbasic traffic course17 hours, from age 15.
• øvelseskjøringpractice drivingFrom 16 in a car, with an accompanying driver.
• ledsageraccompanying (supervising) driverAt least 25, licensed for five years.
• teoriprøvetheory test
• oppkjøringpractical driving test
• trafikkstasjontraffic stationThe Statens vegvesen office where the tests are taken.
• sikkerhetskontrollsafety checkThe first part of the driving test.