The meeting of CIECA’s EAG took place in Oslo on January 29-30, 2007.
We would like to give our warm thanks to Statens Vegvesen in Norway and to Per-Gunnar Veltun for a very well-organized visit.
The purpose of the visit was to study the Norwegian (new) model of driver education that everyone has to go through before they are allowed to take the Norwegian theory- and driving test.
The day started out with a 130 km long bus-ride up north through Norway’s beautiful (and snowy) countryside, towards the town of Gövik, where we were visiting a driving test centre. (In most locations in Norway vehicle tests and driving tests are administered at the same place).
The EAG was informed by local representatives about how the driving tests are carried out by the examiners in Gövik. Representatives from 2 driving school organizations in Norway gave us the opportunity to ask questions about the educational system and to visit a driving school (where we saw some of the educational material used for group discussions).
In Norway, everyone who wants to have a driver’s licence must first go through a 17 hour basic course (which can already take place from the age of 15). It is after this step that the actual driving education begins. The programme then consists of a series of steps, each with different aims, including some compulsory parts and opportunities for accompanied practice.
The theoretical test in Norway is computerized. The driving tests are performed by following a standardized route, and the test time is 55 minutes. The examiners perform five driving tests per day. The routes are laid out in a manual, where all intersections, road signs etc are specified. The tests are conducted on bendy, icy and slippery roads. Members of the EAG-group were given the opportunity to attend two driving tests.
During the tests the candidates are given the possibility to independently carry out a number of manoeuvres, for example turns in intersections and in parking areas. A big part of the test is performed on country roads due to the geography of Norway.
Once again we would like to thank Statens Vegvesen (especially Per Gunnar Veltun!) for a very interesting visit.
For more information regarding the Norwegian driver training model, please contact info@cieca.be