Some questions on the car theory test are easy for almost everyone. Others trip up nearly everybody. We went through the answers from thousands of users on prøve.no and found the questions most people get wrong. Below you'll find them – with the correct answer and a short explanation, so you can avoid falling into the same traps on the test.
1. Which gear should you choose when you have to stop?
68% get it wrong. The question is: How should you think about choosing a gear when you will most likely have to stop?
Many believe they should shift all the way down to first gear as soon as they see they have to stop, or that they should press the clutch early. Both are wrong.
Correct answer: Wait before shifting down. Second gear works well all the way down to very low speed. Select first gear only just before you stop. If you shift down too early, the ride becomes jerky and uncomfortable, and wear increases. If you press the clutch too early, you lose engine braking and get poorer control.
2. Cargo that extends beyond the front of the car
67% get it wrong. The question is: Which claim about cargo that extends beyond the front of the vehicle is correct?
Here many people mix up the rules for the front and the rear. At the rear, cargo may extend up to 1 metre before it must be marked. Stricter rules apply at the front.
Correct answer: All cargo that extends beyond the front of the car must be marked – there is no lower threshold of 15 cm or 1 metre as there is at the rear. It is legal to drive with cargo protruding at the front as long as it is marked, but if it protrudes more than 1 metre, you need permission from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen).
Theory exam for car
An English translation of the theory exam for taking a Norwegian driving license. The exam has a large number of questions, so you can try it over again several times.
3. Can you use fog lights together with high beams?
64% get it wrong. The question is: Is it permitted to use fog lights together with high beams?
Many answer flatly "no, never" – but that isn't quite right.
Correct answer: Yes, but only as cornering lights at low speed. Modern cars automatically switch on one fog light in bends to light up the curve. It is this exception that lets fog lights and high beams be on at the same time.
4. What do you do to stop a skid?
64% get it wrong. The question is: What should you do to try to stop a skid?
The most common mistake is thinking you should press the clutch, or steer the opposite way to the direction the car is sliding.
Correct answer: Brake immediately and steer in the direction the turn goes – that is, into the skid. If the rear swings out to the right, the car points to the left, so you have to steer right to get back on course. Modern cars with an anti-skid system (ESP) distribute braking force to each wheel and help you hold your course. Remember to straighten the wheel again as soon as the skid lets go.
5. Who counts as the driver during practice driving?
62% get it wrong. The question is: Which claim regarding practice driving is correct?
Here many people fall into the "either/or" trap on the requirements for the companion driver.
Correct answer: The companion driver counts as the driver of the car during practice driving (Road Traffic Act § 26). The companion must be at least 25 years old and have held a driving licence continuously for at least 5 years – both requirements must be met, not just one. In addition, the learner must have turned 16 and completed the basic traffic course (trafikalt grunnkurs).
Are you going to be a companion driver yourself? There is a free companion-driver course that covers both the rules and how to help the learner safely.
How to avoid slipping up on the test
What these questions have in common is small details: "and" versus "or", front versus rear, and the exceptions to the main rule. That is exactly why it pays to practise on lots of questions before you sit the test – then you recognise the traps when they appear.
On prøve.no you can practise the car theory test with an explanation for every single answer, and try a free selection of questions before you buy. If you want a more structured walkthrough of the whole syllabus, a car theory course can be a good supplement.