The Norwegian government has declared that starting from March 1st, 2024, the national fines system for cabotage law violations will be changing. Starting from next month, Norwegian authorities will be able to issue fines to disobedient drivers on the spot instead of issuing fines via the usual special procedure.

Up until now, a special procedure for fines existed in Norway. In an attempt to create a more efficient and faster system, the fines for violations will be given out immediately after a driver is caught to have broken the law during a road check. However, the new law will apply only to a specific list of violations listed here:

• In the case where a driver cannot provide the needed documentation regarding their international trip to Norway.
• If cabotage is carried out when more than 7 days have passed since the end of the driver’s last international trip.
• If the cabotage carried out in Norway began before the international transport was unloaded.
• If more than three separate cabotage activities were carried out right after the end of the previous international trip.
• If more than one transit cabotage operation was carried out.
• If transit cabotage operation was completed more than three days following the driver's arrival to Norway.
• If the consignment note is not complete.
• If the necessary documentation or the consignment note are missing from the vehicle.

Aside from these violations, the new rules will also apply in the cases where a driver fails to provide a driver’s license or card during the check. In that case the driver will be given a fine of 60,000 NOK (around €5,300). In the cases of very harsh violations the usual administrative proceedings will follow.

Keywords: work for drivers, work for long-haul drivers, fines, road violations, Norway