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 bi- or trilingual. In Northern parts of Norway, municipal and informative signs may be printed in both Norwegian and Sami. Close to the Finnish border and in municipalities with significant Norwegian Finnish population signs and village names are also shown in Finnish. 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]
Warning signs[edit]
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.
Speed bump[N 1]
Dangerous shoulder[N 1]
Tunnel[N 2]
Level crossing without a gate or barrier[N 2]
Tramway[N 1]
Distance to pedestrian crossing[N 2]
Distance represented with supplementary signChildren[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.Traffic queues likely[N 1]
Low-flying aircraft[N 2]
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.
Priority signs[edit]
Stop
It is mandatory to stop completely at the stop line, or if not available, as close to the crossing road or railway track as possible, before continuing. Vehicles must also give way to other traffic, or trains.
Prohibitory signs[edit]
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 motor vehicles[N 2]
No tractors or motor vehicles slower than 40 km/h[N 2]
No motor cycles or mopeds[N 2]
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.Bogie weight limit
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 for lorries[N 1]
Mandatory signs[edit]
Mandatory signs are all circular like the restrictive signs, but feature white symbols on a blue background.
Roundabout[N 2]
Informative signs[edit]
Some of the informative signs are restrictive (for example, one-way street, and bus lane).
Motorway
Speed limit is 80 km/h unless another limit is set, which it normally is. 110 km/h is the highest limit found, and is set on the highest standard motorways. Lower limits may be set on lower standard or busier roads.Motor traffic road
Speed limit is 80 km/h unless another limit is specifically set. Some are signposted to 90 km/h.Bus lane[a]
Bus and taxi lane[a]
Car-pool lane[N 1]
Only vehicles with more than indicated occupants including driver can use this lane. Buses and taxis, regardless of how many occupants can also use this lane.[b]End of car-pool lane[N 1]
Tram stop[N 1]
Pedestrian crossing[N 2]
Pedestrian crossing[N 2]
Cycle lane (Edge)[N 1]
Cycle lane (Centered)[N 4]
Dead end[N 1]
Road closed for vehiclesDead end[N 1]
Side-road closed for vehiclesMerging lanes
Merging by the “zipper method”.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]
Motor vehicles are normally prohibited in pedestrian zone. If exemption is granted by a supplementary sign, the speed limit is "walking speed."End of pedestrian zone[N 1]
Speed limit enforced by automatic camera[N 1]
Video surveillance[N 1]
Information board
Alternative: 1
Sign 560 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.General speed limits
Information board posted on border crossings on Norwegian national roads, Norwegian county roads and ferry terminals.Wrong way[N 4]
Service signs[edit]
Emergency phone[N 2]
Fire extinguisher[N 2]
Petrol station[N 2]
Toilet emptying facility[N 1]
For caravans, buses, etc.Rest stop[N 2]
Rest stop with toilet[N 1]
Simple dining[N 2]
Camp site[N 2]
Caravan park[N 1]
Camping park[N 2]
Hostel[N 2]
Bed & Breakfast[N 4]
Hotel[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]
Fishing area[N 1]
Hiking trail[N 1]
Ski trail[N 1]
Traditional food and rural tourism[N 1]
Direction signs[edit]
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]
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.Trunk road[N 1]
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.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]
City/urban areaRegion name sign[N 5]
Administrative borderRegion name sign[N 5]
Place name of significance to orientation.Tunnel name sign[N 5]
Placed at the entrance to the tunnel. The length is also written on the 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]
Motorway[N 5]
Motor traffic road [N 5]
Toll road[N 6]
Parking[N 5]
Multistory car park[N 6]
Airport[N 5]
Helipad[N 6]
Bus station/terminal[N 6]
Train station/terminal[N 6]
Ferry[N 5]
Suitable layby for equipping tire chains[N 4]
Steep hill ahead. Tire chains are required for trucks over 3,5 tonnes during severe winter conditions.Church[N 5]
Industrial 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.
Supplementary signs[edit]
Bicycle[N 2]
Motorcycle and moped[N 2]
Vehicle furnished for camping (Motorhome)[N 1]
Uphill inclination[N 1]
Crossing lumber transport[N 2]
Particular danger of accident[N 1]
Symbol varies.Bicycle traffic in both directions[N 2]
Arrangement for parked vehicles[N 1]
Parking board[N 1]
Indicates that parking is only allowed by given regulations when a valid parking ticket or disc is placed highly visible inside the windshield.
Marker signs[edit]
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.
Distance marker for tunnels[N 1]
Indicates the distance to each exit.
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b Electric and hydrogen vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles and marked emergency vehicles can also use this lane, unless otherwise stated by a supplementary sign.
- ^ Electric and hydrogen vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles and marked emergency vehicles, regardless of how many occupants can also use this lane, unless otherwise stated by a supplementary sign.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb New sign per 1 June 2006.[4]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Changed symbol per 2006 reform.[4]
- ^ a b c Changed colour per 2006 reform.[4]
- ^ a b c d e New sign per 1 January 2012.[5]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac New shape per 2006 reform.[4]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r New symbol per 2006 reform.[4]
References[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Road signs in Norway. |
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Driving in Norway. |
- ^ "Lovdata" (in Norwegian).
- ^ "Statens Vegvesen" (in Norwegian).
- ^ "Bogart og selbyggen skal vekk". Adressa (in Norwegian). 3 February 2006. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Hast AS" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 6 June 2011.
- ^ "Norwegian Public Roads Administration" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- ^ https://www.vegvesen.no/_attachment/69071/binary/964084?fast_title=Håndbok+N300+Trafikkskilt%2C+del+4A+Vegvisning%3B+Planlegging+og+anvendelse+%2810+MB%29.pdf