How many pass the Norwegian theory test? Statistics 2015–2025
In 2025, 60 % passed the theory test for a car (class B) – 40 in 100 failed. Here are the figures from Statens vegvesen, year by year, with the practical test alongside.
2025 at a glance
Pass rate for a car (class B), 2015–2026
Theory test pass rate by age, 2025
All licence classes together.
Share of car practical tests in an automatic
All the figures
| Year | Taken (theory test) | Pass rate | Taken (practical test) | Pass rate | Automatic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 123,017 | 62 % | 98,587 | 74 % | 0 % |
| 2016 | 124,306 | 58 % | 97,858 | 72 % | 7 % |
| 2017 | 135,652 | 53 % | 95,200 | 72 % | 13 % |
| 2018 | 136,957 | 48 % | 94,060 | 72 % | 18 % |
| 2019 | 125,919 | 59 % | 97,163 | 73 % | 24 % |
| 2020 | 141,088 | 58 % | 86,609 | 76 % | 32 % |
| 2021 | 134,098 | 63 % | 103,311 | 77 % | 41 % |
| 2022 | 128,101 | 59 % | 107,171 | 76 % | 51 % |
| 2023 | 137,223 | 55 % | 100,153 | 74 % | 57 % |
| 2024 | 142,241 | 56 % | 101,411 | 74 % | 61 % |
| 2025 | 137,787 | 60 % | 102,354 | 74 % | 66 % |
| 2026* | 69,714 | 61 % | 56,876 | 74 % | 70 % |
Car (class B). 2026: year to date
| Year | 15-18 | 19-22 | 23-30 | 31-40 | 41+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 70 % | 58 % | 56 % | 50 % | 48 % |
| 2016 | 70 % | 56 % | 51 % | 46 % | 45 % |
| 2017 | 68 % | 52 % | 47 % | 40 % | 41 % |
| 2018 | 65 % | 48 % | 45 % | 38 % | 38 % |
| 2019 | 74 % | 59 % | 52 % | 44 % | 43 % |
| 2020 | 73 % | 57 % | 52 % | 44 % | 43 % |
| 2021 | 76 % | 61 % | 57 % | 48 % | 46 % |
| 2022 | 72 % | 56 % | 54 % | 45 % | 41 % |
| 2023 | 67 % | 52 % | 53 % | 44 % | 40 % |
| 2024 | 67 % | 53 % | 53 % | 45 % | 41 % |
| 2025 | 69 % | 56 % | 57 % | 49 % | 44 % |
| 2026* | 71 % | 57 % | 61 % | 51 % | 46 % |
Theory test. All licence classes together. 2026: year to date
| Class | Taken (theory test) | Pass rate | Taken (practical test) | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A/A1/A2 – Motorcycle | 14,394 | 73 % | 11,874 | 80 % |
| AM/AM146/AM147 – Moped | 10,932 | 67 % | – | – |
| B – Car | 137,787 | 60 % | 102,354 | 74 % |
| C1/C1E/C/CE – Lorry | 14,872 | 52 % | 9,268 | 85 % |
| D1/D1E/D/DE – Bus | 4,997 | 41 % | 3,001 | 70 % |
| Taxi | 8,234 | 45 % | – | – |
| S – Snowmobile | 2,930 | 91 % | – | – |
| T – Tractor | 4,411 | 64 % | 3,197 | 79 % |
| Emergency driving | 1,057 | 95 % | 1,261 | 81 % |
| YSKFG/YSKUG – Professional driver, goods | 3,575 | 64 % | – | – |
| YSKFP/YSKUP – Professional driver, passengers | 2,452 | 47 % | – | – |
| BE – Car with trailer | – | – | 17,650 | 91 % |
Figures for 2025.
| Age | Taken (theory test) | Pass rate | Taken (practical test) | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/16–18 | 94,767 | 69 % | 61,992 | 83 % |
| 19–22 | 28,260 | 56 % | 25,995 | 75 % |
| 23–30 | 29,806 | 57 % | 22,517 | 76 % |
| 31–40 | 29,666 | 49 % | 20,878 | 70 % |
| 41+ | 23,142 | 44 % | 17,223 | 71 % |
All licence classes together. Figures for 2025.
| County | Taken (theory test) | Pass rate | Taken (practical test) | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agder | 13,650 | 60 % | 9,477 | 80 % |
| Akershus | 25,335 | 61 % | 19,705 | 73 % |
| Buskerud | 9,982 | 58 % | 7,411 | 79 % |
| Finnmark | 4,021 | 61 % | 2,259 | 87 % |
| Innlandet | 15,270 | 56 % | 10,674 | 79 % |
| Møre og Romsdal | 10,500 | 59 % | 7,308 | 82 % |
| Nordland | 9,290 | 59 % | 6,457 | 81 % |
| Oslo | 20,407 | 63 % | 15,146 | 66 % |
| Rogaland | 19,886 | 59 % | 14,287 | 77 % |
| Telemark | 7,258 | 57 % | 4,821 | 84 % |
| Troms | 7,205 | 60 % | 4,822 | 83 % |
| Trøndelag | 18,150 | 60 % | 13,528 | 79 % |
| Vestfold | 9,542 | 58 % | 6,812 | 81 % |
| Vestland | 22,719 | 62 % | 17,366 | 82 % |
| Østfold | 12,426 | 58 % | 8,532 | 73 % |
All licence classes together. Figures for 2025.
| Gender | Taken (theory test) | Pass rate | Taken (practical test) | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 78,952 | 60 % | 55,086 | 73 % |
| Men | 126,689 | 60 % | 93,519 | 80 % |
All licence classes together. Figures for 2025.
Source: Statens vegvesen – Statistikk førerprøver og førerkort (retrieved 2026-10-04)
Theory is the harder part
The class B theory pass rate has stayed between 48 % and 63 % since 2015 – lowest in 2018, highest in 2021. The practical test holds steady at around 74 %. So more people fail the theory than the driving, even though the driving is what most people dread.
Statens vegvesen itself has said far too many fail the theory test, and urges candidates to prepare better. The test has 45 questions and you need 38 right to pass – room for only 7 mistakes.
Age matters
Candidates aged 15 to 18 passed 69 % of theory tests in 2025, while those over 41 passed 44 %. It is not a one-year blip: the youngest have passed most often and the oldest least often in every single year since 2015.
At the same time, the number of candidates over 41 has almost doubled since 2015. The age figures cover all licence classes together – the report cannot split by class and age at once – but cars are two in three tests.
Automatic gearboxes have taken over the practical test
In 2015 almost no car practical tests were taken in an automatic. In 2025 the share was 66 %, and so far in 2026 it is 70 %. A licence earned in an automatic is valid for automatic cars only.
Motorcycles stand out with higher pass rates: 73 % on the theory and 80 % on the practical test in 2025.
About the figures
Every figure comes from Statens vegvesen's public statistics on driving tests, which are based on the driving licence register. Percentages are rounded as Statens vegvesen states them. 2026 is part of the year only, as the statistics are updated each quarter.
The figures by age, gender and county cover all licence classes together. VeiMester is not affiliated with Statens vegvesen – we show the figures because they say something about how much practice pays off. To test yourself, take a free theory test with the same 45 questions and the same pass mark of 38.
Frequently asked questions
How many people fail the Norwegian theory test?
In 2025, 40 % of those who took the theory test for a car (class B) failed. Since 2015 it has ranged between 37 % and 52 %.
How many pass the practical driving test?
74 % of car practical tests were passed in 2025. The practical test has stayed between 72 and 77 % every year since 2015, so on average it is easier to pass than the theory.
Is the theory test harder for adults?
The figures suggest so: in 2025, 69 % of candidates aged 15 to 18 passed, against 44 % of those over 41, and the pattern is the same every year. The age groups cover all licence classes together.
How many mistakes can you make on the theory test?
You can make 7. The class B theory test has 45 questions and you need at least 38 right to pass.
Where do the figures come from?
From Statens vegvesen's statistics on driving tests and licences, based on the driving licence register. We have taken the figures from there and update this page when new figures are published.
Pages
- The Norwegian theory test (class B) – how to practise and pass
- Free theory test class B – mock exam with answers and explanations
- Norwegian road signs, group by group
- Class B theory course – the whole syllabus, chapter by chapter
- Right of way in Norway – the rules, in the order they apply
- The Norwegian theory test in English – and how to practise for it
- Driving schools in Norway
- Safety check, class B
- Questions and answers about the theory test
- About VeiMester
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- Student discount on theory practice – 20% off
- Pricing – what theory practice costs
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