Winter tyres and snow chains in Norway with a rental car (2026-27)
According to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen), checked on 30 October 2026, you may not use summer tyres on winter roads, and the car must have winter tyres, chains or similar whenever this is needed for enough road grip; from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday (16 October to 30 April in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark) tyres must have a tread depth of at least 3 millimetres.
Local orders and road signs come first. We quote governments, police forces and road safety agencies word for word, with the date we checked them; this is information, not legal advice. Before you drive, check the signs on your route and ask the rental company whether winter tyres or chains are included and at what cost.
At a glance
| Obligation | Only in winter conditions – summer tyres not allowed on winter roads |
|---|---|
| Period | 1 November – first Sunday after Easter Monday (3 mm tread) |
| Snow chains | Winter tyres, chains or similar when needed |
| Rental cars | Not covered by the official pages: ask the rental company |
| Checked | 30 October 2026 |
What the official sources say
When the rule applies
As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring that the vehicle you are driving has sufficient road grip, all year round. In winter, the tyres on your vehicle must have a tread depth of at least 3 millimetres.
In winter, from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday inclusive, the required tread depth is at least 3 millimetres.
In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, the requirement for a tread depth of at least 3 millimetres applies from 16 October to 30 April inclusive.
Source: Statens vegvesen: Tyre requirements (Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Which tyres count
Studded tyres may only be used from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday inclusive.
If the weather and road surface conditions make it necessary, studded tyres and chains may be used beyond these dates.
Source: Statens vegvesen: Tyre requirements (Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Snow chains
You cannot use summer tyres on winter roads, because summer tyres do not have sufficient road grip on ice and snow. The vehicle must have winter tyres (studded or non-studded), chains or similar also outside of the periods mentioned above if this is necessary in order to ensure sufficient road grip.
Source: Statens vegvesen: Tyre requirements (Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
With a rental car
The official pages we read do not say whether rental cars come with winter tyres or chains. Ask the rental company whether winter tyres or chains are included and at what cost.
Hire a car in Norway
Hiring a car in Norway this winter? Compare rental companies and prices on DiscoverCars. Before you book, ask the rental company whether winter tyres or chains are included and at what cost.
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Questions
Are winter tyres mandatory in Norway?
Statens vegvesen says: “You cannot use summer tyres on winter roads, because summer tyres do not have sufficient road grip on ice and snow. The vehicle must have winter tyres (studded or non-studded), chains or similar also outside of the periods mentioned above if this is necessary in order to ensure sufficient road grip.”
What are the winter tyre dates in Norway?
Statens vegvesen says: “In winter, from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday inclusive, the required tread depth is at least 3 millimetres.” “In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, the requirement for a tread depth of at least 3 millimetres applies from 16 October to 30 April inclusive.”
Do you need snow chains in Norway?
Winter tyres, chains or similar are needed when road grip requires them. Statens vegvesen says: “You cannot use summer tyres on winter roads, because summer tyres do not have sufficient road grip on ice and snow. The vehicle must have winter tyres (studded or non-studded), chains or similar also outside of the periods mentioned above if this is necessary in order to ensure sufficient road grip.”
Does a rental car in Norway come with winter tyres or snow chains?
The official pages we read do not say whether rental cars come with winter tyres or chains. Ask the rental company whether winter tyres or chains are included and at what cost.
Where does this answer come from?
From the official pages of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen), read on 30 October 2026 and quoted word for word on this page (with our translation when the page is not in English). It is information, not legal advice.
Spotted a change? Tell us. Winter tyres with a rental car: all countries.