Studded winter tyre in the snow

Winter tyres in Norway: required?

The rules from the Norwegian road authority, with the dates for winter 2026/27

Home › Winter › Winter tyres Norway

Introduction

What Norway requires

We read the rules at the Norwegian road authority itself and worked out the dates for this season. We have not (yet) driven in Norway in winter ourselves.

Researched by Arjan from Zuidlaren, so you don’t have to · Sources: Statens vegvesen: Tyre requirements, Statens vegvesen: Dekk og kjetting, Statens vegvesen: Driving on winter roads · updated on 31 October 2026 · About this site

At a glance

📌 The rules at a glance

In shortAccording to Statens vegvesen, the minimum tread depth in winter is 3 mm and summer tyres may not be used on winter roads (ice and snow). If grip is needed, you need winter tyres, chains or similar, even outside the winter period.
Winter period (at least 3 mm)1 November to and including the first Sunday after Easter Monday
Nordland, Troms and Finnmark16 October to 30 April inclusive
Summer periodat least 1.6 mm tread
Trailerthe same tread rules as for the car
Over 3,500 kgseparate rules, see the source

Source: Statens vegvesen (EN) · Statens vegvesen (NO), read on 31 October 2026.

Dates

📅 The dates for winter 2026/27

The end of the winter period depends on Easter. We worked it out for this season; check the source if in doubt.

AreaWinter period 2026/27Note
Southern and central Norway (everything except the three northern counties)1 November 2026 to Sunday 4 April 2027our own calculation: Easter Monday falls on 29 March 2027
Nordland, Troms, Finnmark16 October 2026 to 30 April 2027dates as given by Statens vegvesen

Studded tyres

🔩 Studded tyres and chains

  • Studded tyres may only be used in the winter period: 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday inclusive, and in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark 16 October to 30 April.
  • If weather and road conditions make it necessary, studded tyres and chains may also be used beyond these dates.
  • If you use studded tyres, the vehicle must have them on all wheels.
  • Non-studded winter tyres may be used all year round.

Statens vegvesen

On the road

🧰 In the car and on the road

  • Keep a warning triangle and reflective vest easily accessible; a shovel may save you if you get stuck in the snow.
  • Pack extra clothes and food, plus a flashlight, tow rope, blanket and jump leads.
  • Fuel up or charge before a mountain pass.
  • Driving a rental car? Familiarise yourself with it before you drive on winter roads and contact the rental company if you are unsure.
  • Dangerous situation on the road? The Traffic Control Centre can be reached on +47 22 175 175; police emergency 112.

Statens vegvesen: driving on winter roads

Read on

🔗 Useful for your winter trip

All winter travel pages

Seeing the northern lights: Kp index, best months and tours

By car to Scandinavia: which ferry?

Norway: all information

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Are winter tyres mandatory in Norway?

In winter, Statens vegvesen requires at least 3 mm tread, and summer tyres may not be used on winter roads. If grip is needed, you need winter tyres, chains or similar, even outside the winter period.

When does the 2026/27 winter period apply?

In the south and centre from 1 November 2026 to and including Sunday 4 April 2027 (our own calculation, Easter 2027); in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark from 16 October 2026 to 30 April 2027 inclusive.

Can you drive on studded tyres in Norway?

Yes, in the winter period, and outside it if weather and road conditions make it necessary. If you use studded tyres, all wheels must have them.

Do the rules also apply to a trailer?

For a trailer, the same tread requirements apply as for the car. Vehicles over 3,500 kg have separate rules.

Accountability

📚 Sources

Every number and every date on this page comes from the source shown with it. Where there is no source or price, we could not find an official one and we point to the provider. Tips of our own are marked as such.

View 3 sources