While full focus is typically on which side of the road you'll need to drive on and the rules on the road, what you have placed in the car with you is just as important.
In Norway, there are many things you must have in the vehicle at all times. While some of the stuff may seem excessive and leave you short on boot space, Norway's weather and driving conditions make many of these items absolute must-haves.
Reflective vest and warning triangle
Regardless of the time of year, you must always have a reflective vest and warning triangle in your car, moped, or motorbike. This has been a legal requirement since 2007.
The reflective vest is so you can be seen at night in the event of an accident or breakdown. Meanwhile, the triangle is also compulsory and must be erected in the event of a traffic accident or emergency where the vehicle could become an obstacle for other motorists.
Should you be in the unfortunate position where you need to use the triangle, it will need to be deployed 150 metres away from the vehicle to give other drivers sufficient warning of what lies ahead. In built-up or urban areas, a distance of around 50 metres is usually recommended.
First aid kit
Perhaps the ultimate 'better to have it and not need it', rather than 'need it and not have it', item on this list is a first aid kit.
This isn't a legal requirement, but there is a strong case for needing one in the event of accidents. A small first aid kit for a car costs around 600 kroner but could prove priceless in the event of an accident.
Given how remote Norway's roads are in places, a first aid kit can be handy while you wait for the emergency services to arrive.
READ ALSO: What you need to do if you have a car accident in Norway
Flashlight
Depending on where you are in Norway, you might go as long as a couple of months without true sunlight during the winter.
Even much further south, the days are short, and the nights are incredibly dark. While pretty much everyone has a flashlight on their phone, there are many cases where this might not cut it.
A simple battery-powered flashlight will also save you from draining your phone while you are waiting for your car to be recovered if it breaks down.
Spare tyre and puncture repair kit
Norway's roads don't enjoy the best reputation either. Given the rain, snow, grit and ice that chips away at surfaces, it's no surprise that the dodgy roads can puncture tyres.
One thing to consider is having a suitable spare wheel in the winter.
When roads are icy and slippery, you don't want your safety compromised by a spare wheel that upsets your car's dynamics.
Most new cars don't come with a spare tyre, and quite a few people wouldn't have the first clue on how to change a wheel (no judgement from us), so with that in mind, consider a puncture repair kit.
If you will carry a spare wheel, you will need a jack to actually change the tyre. Should you decide you don't know how to change a wheel, then the jack is probably just dead weight.
Starter cables, tow ropes, chains and shovels
Anyone who has lived with a car with a battery that can't hold a charge will likely have a traumatised flashback to the first time they scrambled for a set of jumper cables to try and kickstart their vehicle into life.
Therefore, it sort of goes without saying why a pair of jumper cables would be an essential item to keep stowed away in your boot.
Getting your car stuck in Norway is a big risk, thanks to ditches running alongside most rural roads or heavy snow during the winter.
A shovel and tow rope could help dislodge your car from most winter weather predicaments you could picture yourself ending up in.
Chains will also help your car regain some traction. During the warmer months of the year, you can get away with unloading the chains and shovel from your car.
Warm clothes and blankets
These are essential in the winter. If your car loses its power, then it will get quite cold in the vehicle very quickly.
Therefore, spare warm clothes and blankets are essential during the colder months of the year.
In the event of a breakdown, you don't want to be left freezing cold for hours while you wait for a recovery vehicle.
Ice scrapers
This almost goes without saying. It is a very bad idea to drive with your windscreen and rear window iced up.
Using an ice scraper obviously cuts down the time you have to wait to get on the road.
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