Am I allowed to use my phone while driving in Norway?
No — holding the phone in your hand while driving is forbidden. Under Traffic Rules §23b hand-held phone use is forbidden; the phone is only allowed if it is fixed in a holder near the steering wheel, and then only to call, answer or hang up — not to type or scroll. Here is where people go wrong: the ban applies even when you are stationary, at a red light or in a queue, because you are still the driver. The fine is 10,750 kr and 3 points from 15 February 2026. If you get 8 points in 3 years, you lose your licence for 6 months, and in the probation period the points count double — one phone in the hand is then worth 6 points. Hands-free is allowed, and with hands-free you can also control music and audio.
📋 The rules
- Forbidden to hold the phone while driving
- Allowed only in a fixed holder near the wheel
- In a holder: only call, answer, hang up
- Fine 10,750 kr + 3 points (from 15 Feb 2026)
- Applies even when stopped at a red light
🔓 Exceptions
- Hands-free calls are allowed
- With hands-free you can control music and audio
- A phone in an approved holder can be used to call, answer and hang up
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Hand-held phone use while driving brings a fine of 10,750 kr and 3 points from 15 February 2026. The points are the expensive part: eight points in three years means losing the licence for six months, and in the probation period the points count double — 6 points for one phone in the hand. What people do not reckon with is that the ban also applies when the car is stationary at a red light or in a queue: you are still the driver, and the fine is the same. Even in an approved holder, only calling, answering and hanging up is allowed; typing or scrolling is a breach.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I use my phone while driving?
No, not hand-held. The phone must be fixed in a holder near the steering wheel, and there you can only call, answer and hang up. Holding it in your hand is forbidden under Traffic Rules §23b, and the ban applies even at a red light.
How much is the fine?
10,750 kr and 3 points from 15 February 2026. The ban applies even when you are stopped at a red light or in a queue, so the fine comes even if the car is not moving — and in the probation period the points count double.
Can I use hands-free?
Yes. Hands-free calls are allowed, and with hands-free you can also control music and audio. It is holding the phone in your hand that is banned, not speaking on it — but the holder must be fixed, near the steering wheel.
Can I type on the phone in a holder?
No. Even in a holder you can only call, answer and hang up, not type or scroll. The holder makes the phone lawful to have out, but it does not make every use lawful — typing costs 10,750 kr and 3 points as usual.
What happens if I get more points?
Eight points in three years means losing the licence for six months. In the probation period the points count double, so one phone in the hand gives 6 points instead of 3 — and the 10,750 kr fine comes on top.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I use phone while driving norway”
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