1 week ago
Norway Licence Takes Indian Man Two Years, Rs 6 Lakh
An Indian man named Vikas shared how he got a driving licence in Norway.
He said the process took almost two years.
It cost him about Rs 6 lakh in 2011.
He had to take courses, pass a theory test and complete safety training.
He also practised driving in snow, mountains, tunnels and busy roads.
He failed the final driving test once.
After two more months of practice, he passed it.
He believes the strict process checks whether drivers can protect other people on the road.
His story led people to discuss driving licences and road safety in India.
An Indian man said obtaining a Norwegian driving licence took nearly two years and cost about Rs 6 lakh in 2011.
The process included mandatory courses, theory tests, safety training, supervised practice and a practical test.
He trained on snowy roads, mountain routes, tunnels, highways and smaller roads before testing.
After failing the final test once, he practised for two more months and passed on his second attempt.
His account prompted debate about stricter licensing, road-safety responsibility and traffic-rule compliance in India.
- Who
- An Indian man identified in the article as Vikas, whose post was shared under the name Vinod.
- What
- He described spending nearly two years and about Rs 6 lakh obtaining a driving licence in Norway.
- Where
- Norway, including snowy roads, mountain routes, tunnels, highways and smaller roads.
- When
- He moved to Norway in 2011 and said he spent about Rs 6 lakh that year; his post was dated September 4, 2026.
- Why
- Norway required extensive training and testing to assess safe driving around other road users.
Supporters of stricter licensing
Critics emphasizing practical access and compliance
Purpose of testing
Supporters of stricter licensing
The account argues that extensive Norwegian training tests whether drivers can safely share roads with other people and handle difficult conditions.
Critics emphasizing practical access and compliance
Some discussion focused on whether the main problem in India is not a lack of driving skills but drivers and pedestrians failing to follow traffic rules.
Indian licensing system
Supporters of stricter licensing
Several commenters called for stricter guidelines and a major overhaul, alleging that people can pay and pass tests and linking this to road deaths.
Critics emphasizing practical access and compliance
The articles do not present a defense of the existing Indian system, but the reported cost and length of Norway’s process highlight concerns about how demanding licensing should be.
Key facts
- Reported cost
- Around Rs 6 lakh in 2011
- Estimated current cost
- The author said it could be more than Rs 10 lakh today
- Total duration
- Nearly two years
- Final test
- Almost one hour with the driving authority
- First attempt
- The driver failed the final test
- Successful attempt
- He passed after practising for another two months
- Supervisor requirement
- The supervisor needed more than five years of driving experience
Quotes
Vikas, an Indian man living in Norway
An Indian resident of Norway describing his driving-licence experience in an X post.
“Then came the final test – almost an hour with the driving authority, through traffic, tunnels and mountain roads. I failed. Practised for another two months and passed the second time. Almost 2 years of struggle for one licence.”
indianexpress.com
“India, imagine spending 2 years and Rs 6 lakh just to get a driving licence. That was my struggle in Norway. In 2011, I spent around Rs 6 lakh. Today, it would probably be more than Rs 10 lakh.”
indianexpress.com









