Guide · Norway

Driving a UK-registered car in Norway: how long you can keep UK plates, what engangsavgift and VAT cost, and what to do instead

Norway is the most expensive country in Europe to import an ordinary car into, and its rules on residents driving foreign-registered cars are strict. This guide covers how long you can stay on UK plates, what the import costs, and the alternative.

Last reviewed September 2026

How long can I keep it on UK plates?

A person resident in Norway may not use a foreign-registered car in Norway without permission from Skatteetaten, which is only granted in specific situations (for example a limited period after moving). Visitors may use their foreign-registered car temporarily. In practice, once you live in Norway the car has to be imported and registered or taken out of the country.

Can a right-hand-drive car be registered?

Right-hand-drive cars can be registered in Norway. Statens vegvesen will require headlamps suited to driving on the right, and Norwegian buyers pay less for right-hand drive.

What registering it involves

Customs declaration on import through Tolletaten, paying VAT (passenger cars are duty-free).
Engangsavgift assessed by Skatteetaten from the car's weight, CO2 and NOx figures.
Technical approval at Statens vegvesen (including EU-kontroll where due).
Registration and Norwegian plates.
Norwegian motor insurance.

What it costs

Engangsavgift: from a few thousand kroner for a small, light, low-emission car to well over 100,000 kroner for a heavy or high-emission one.
VAT: 25% on the value.
No customs duty on passenger cars, but the import must still be declared through Tolletaten.
Approval, inspection, headlamp work and registration fees.

Moving home? Transfer-of-residence relief

Norway offers relief for people moving to Norway with a car they have owned and used abroad (flyttegods), but the conditions are strict and engangsavgift is generally still payable; check the current Skatteetaten rules before relying on it.

The alternative: sell it back to the UK

Selling back to the UK trade avoids all of it. We buy UK-registered cars in Norway as they stand, collect free from any address, handle the export and transit paperwork, and pay in pounds sterling on the day.

Get a free valuation for your car in Norway

Free collection anywhere in Norway, all export paperwork handled, paid in pounds sterling (£) on the day.

Value my UK car

Common questions

Can I estimate the engangsavgift before deciding?

Yes — Skatteetaten has an online calculator that uses the car's weight, CO2 and NOx figures from the V5C.

What if the MOT has expired?

Not a problem — we buy cars with expired MOT or SORN and collect by transporter.

How long does collection take?

Allow one to two weeks from acceptance; Oslo and Stavanger are on regular runs.

Rules, rates and thresholds change. This guide is a general summary as of September 2026, not legal or tax advice — check the current position with the registration authority or a customs agent before relying on it.

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