Mandatory signsNorway

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Norway. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Mandatory signs

A mandatory sign is a traffic sign that tells drivers what they must do. Instead of prohibiting actions, these signs impose obligations such as following a specific direction, using a particular lane, or keeping a minimum speed. Their purpose is to guide traffic safely and efficiently by ensuring that all road users follow the same required behaviour in places where it is necessary for order and safety.

Driving straight ahead or turning left mandatory.

Driving straight ahead or turning right mandatory.

How are compulsory instructions shown in Norway?

Påbudsskilt specify obligations, including directions and routes that must be followed.

🔗 lovdata.no • Norway, Traffic Rules — Traffic Rules 3, 6–7, 11; signs 330/332 and 402–406; supplementary plates

🔗 lovdata.no • Norwegian signing regulation — current sign catalogue, markings and signals

What does a mandatory-direction sign require in Norway?

Where a compulsory-direction sign is installed in Norway, follow only the arrow direction or permitted combination of directions. The restriction applies at the location or movement it regulates; it is not an instruction to ignore other traffic controls.

🔗 lovdata.no • Norway, Traffic Rules — Traffic Rules 3, 6–7, 11; signs 330/332 and 402–406; supplementary plates

🔗 lovdata.no • Norwegian signing regulation — current sign catalogue, markings and signals

Does a mandatory-direction sign give me priority over pedestrians in Norway?

No. It tells you which way to move, not who goes first. Check traffic lights, other priority signs, pedestrians and cyclists, and give way when required before completing the manoeuvre.

🔗 lovdata.no • Norway, Traffic Rules — Traffic Rules 3, 6–7, 11; signs 330/332 and 402–406; supplementary plates

🔗 lovdata.no • Norwegian signing regulation — current sign catalogue, markings and signals

1. Mandatory roundabout direction

This traffic sign indicates the mandatory direction around a roundabout. Traffic must circulate in the direction shown by the arrows. The sign does not itself determine priority; follow the applicable priority signs, traffic signals and local rules.

English • Traffic sign 406 • Compulsory roundabout circulation.

Norsk bokmål • Skilt 406 • Påbudt rundkjøring.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Lovdata.no • Skiltforskriften § 10

SVG source: Peter J. Acklam converted the original EPS file to PDF with Ghostscript and the PDF file to SVG with Inkscape. • Public domain • Original revision 2008-08-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

2. Turning left mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that turning left is mandatory at the junction ahead. Traffic must turn left and may not continue straight ahead or turn right.

English • Traffic sign 402.5 • Compulsory direction. Drivers must leave the junction in the direction shown.

Norsk bokmål • Skilt 402.5 • Påbudt kjøreretning. Skiltet angir at kjørende skal forlate vegkrysset i den retning som er angitt på skiltet.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Lovdata.no • Skiltforskriften § 10

3. Turning left or right mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that turning left or right is mandatory at the junction ahead. Traffic may turn either left or right but may not continue straight ahead.

English • Traffic sign 402.8 • Compulsory direction. Drivers must leave the junction in the direction shown.

Norsk bokmål • Skilt 402.8 • Påbudt kjøreretning. Skiltet angir at kjørende skal forlate vegkrysset i den retning som er angitt på skiltet.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Lovdata.no • Skiltforskriften § 10

4. Turning right mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that turning right is mandatory at the junction ahead. Traffic must turn right and may not continue straight ahead or turn left.

English • Traffic sign 402.4 • Compulsory direction. Drivers must leave the junction in the direction shown.

Norsk bokmål • Skilt 402.4 • Påbudt kjøreretning. Skiltet angir at kjørende skal forlate vegkrysset i den retning som er angitt på skiltet.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Lovdata.no • Skiltforskriften § 10

SVG source: Peter J. Acklam converted the original EPS file to PDF with Ghostscript and the PDF file to SVG with Inkscape. • Public domain • Original revision 2008-08-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. Pass obstacle on the left

This traffic sign indicates that traffic must pass an obstacle on the left. Keep to the left of the obstacle and follow any accompanying signs or road markings.

English • Traffic sign 404.2 • Compulsory lane. Drivers must pass on the side shown by the arrow.

Norsk bokmål • Skilt 404.2 • Påbudt kjørefelt. Skiltet angir at kjørende skal passere skiltet på den side som pilen peker mot.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Lovdata.no • Skiltforskriften § 10

6. Pass obstacle on the right

This traffic sign indicates that traffic must pass an obstacle on the right. Keep to the right of the obstacle and follow any accompanying signs or road markings.

English • Traffic sign 404.1 • Compulsory lane. Drivers must pass on the side shown by the arrow.

Norsk bokmål • Skilt 404.1 • Påbudt kjørefelt. Skiltet angir at kjørende skal passere skiltet på den side som pilen peker mot.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Lovdata.no • Skiltforskriften § 10

7. Driving straight ahead or turning left mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that traffic must continue straight ahead or turn left. One of the indicated directions must be followed; turning right is prohibited.

English • Traffic sign 402.7 • Compulsory direction. Drivers must leave the junction in the direction shown.

Norsk bokmål • Skilt 402.7 • Påbudt kjøreretning. Skiltet angir at kjørende skal forlate vegkrysset i den retning som er angitt på skiltet.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Lovdata.no • Skiltforskriften § 10

8. Driving straight ahead or turning right mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that traffic must continue straight ahead or turn right. One of the indicated directions must be followed; turning left is prohibited.

English • Traffic sign 402.6 • Compulsory direction. Drivers must leave the junction in the direction shown.

Norsk bokmål • Skilt 402.6 • Påbudt kjøreretning. Skiltet angir at kjørende skal forlate vegkrysset i den retning som er angitt på skiltet.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Lovdata.no • Skiltforskriften § 10

9. Mandatory left

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory direction to the left. Traffic must proceed to the left at the sign and may not continue straight ahead or to the right.

English • Traffic sign 402.2 • Compulsory direction. Drivers must leave the junction in the direction shown.

Norsk bokmål • Skilt 402.2 • Påbudt kjøreretning. Skiltet angir at kjørende skal forlate vegkrysset i den retning som er angitt på skiltet.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Lovdata.no • Skiltforskriften § 10

10. Mandatory right

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory direction to the right. Traffic must proceed to the right at the sign and may not continue straight ahead or to the left.

English • Traffic sign 402.1 • Compulsory direction. Drivers must leave the junction in the direction shown.

Norsk bokmål • Skilt 402.1 • Påbudt kjøreretning. Skiltet angir at kjørende skal forlate vegkrysset i den retning som er angitt på skiltet.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Lovdata.no • Skiltforskriften § 10

11. Driving straight ahead mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that driving straight ahead is mandatory. Traffic must continue straight ahead and may not turn left or right at the location to which the sign applies.

English • Traffic sign 402.3 • Compulsory direction. Drivers must leave the junction in the direction shown.

Norsk bokmål • Skilt 402.3 • Påbudt kjøreretning. Skiltet angir at kjørende skal forlate vegkrysset i den retning som er angitt på skiltet.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Lovdata.no • Skiltforskriften § 10