Car lights and headlamps in Norway: § 15 rules

Lights always on — a statutory rule, not a habit

§ 15 opens with the general principle — lights are mandatory whenever visibility conditions require them:

However, for a motorvogn the regulation immediately adds a second sentence that makes Norway a "lights-on-at-all-times" country:

The word alltid — "always" — means literally that: bright sunshine on a July afternoon does not exempt you. Any of three options suffices: high beam, low beam, or approved daytime running lights (kjørelys).

High beam and low beam: which and when

The logic of § 15 is straightforward: high beam is the default optimum because it maximizes your field of vision, but it has a strict boundary:

The exact same dazzling prohibition applies when meeting a train, a tram (sporvogn), or even a boat being navigated along the road. Low beam is defined as the default lighting whenever high beam is unnecessary or prohibited:

Lights during stopping and parking

During voluntary stopping or parking on a road, when light or visibility conditions require the vehicle to be visible, use parking lights; high and low beam must be off in that situation. This does not mean switching off driving lights at a red light or in a traffic queue:

Where stopping and parking are permissible is covered in depth in our guide: Stopping and parking: stans vs parkering.

Fog lights: what § 15 says — and what it does not

Regarding auxiliary lights, the regulation establishes two clear boundaries: they may only be used for their intended purpose, and —

In other words, fog lights replace low beam rather than complement it (the only statutory exception is motorcycles in daylight). Crucially, § 15 does not specify specific weather thresholds for activating fog lights — it regulates only combinations; the overarching principle of nr. 1 applies: lights must ensure visibility and illuminate the road.

Do not confuse: vehicle lights vs light signals

Vehicle lights (lys på kjøretøy, Trafikkreglene § 15) and traffic light signals (lyssignaler, Chapter 12 of skiltforskriften) are distinct topics and have different legal meanings. Examples of traffic signals:

1080

Hovedsignal

Main signal

Red means you must not pass the signal or the stopplinje, red with amber warns that green is about to appear, green means you may drive on if the road is clear, and amber alone means you must stop unless you are so close that stopping cannot be done safely.

1092

Tolyssignal

Two-light signal

A red tolyssignal means you must not pass the signal or the stopplinje and green that it may be passed; breaching a tolyssignal is not punishable.

1094

Rødt stoppblinksignal

Red flashing stop signal

A rødt stoppblinksignal shows one or two alternately flashing red lights and means you must not pass, but stop at the stopplinje or at a safe distance in front of the signal.

1096

Blinkende signal foran jernbane

Flashing signal ahead of railway

A red flashing signal in front of a railway means you must stop at the stopplinje or at a safe distance ahead of it, while a white flashing signal shows the installation is in operation and the planovergang may be crossed in accordance with the traffic rules.

1098

Gult blinksignal

Yellow flashing signal

A yellow flashing signal means road users must show particular alertness and caution.

The complete classification is available on the light signals page.

Practice scenarios

Practice scenarios: “are lights required in daylight in summer?” (yes — alltid, § 15 nr. 1); “an oncoming driver is dazzled by your high beam — who violated the rules?” (you — nr. 2); “what lights must remain on a vehicle voluntarily parked on a dark unlit road?” (parking lights; high and low beams are strictly prohibited — nr. 4); “can you drive with fog lights and low beam on simultaneously?” (no — nr. 5). Related topic: speed and sight distance. Try practice questions in the simulator: first question free without registration.