Useful advice for those who want to pass the driving theory exam successfully in Norway. Part 1.

“My thoughts, my steeds….” as in the song. Of course I will not manage a tidy exposition of the material, but I very much want to share what I myself have already gone through in Norway, having received those coveted class B rights.

The best option is to start studying theory and practice at the same time and in the Norwegian language. In Norway a ledsager can be a person who has reached the age of 25 and has 5 years’ driving experience. You must attach an L sign at the back of the car, and according to the rules there should also be an extra mirror, well, and “in life” not every private car has one.

Let’s start with the ledsager — the Norwegian husband. Remember! that a Norwegian husband, sitting next to you in the car, will NOT explain anything to you. And if he meekly agrees to see you at the wheel of his car, then take that as an honour! The main thing for you is not to be capricious and to keep quiet!

And so the hour has come when you sit at the wheel of a car. And from this place be more attentive. Sat down. Comfortable? Aha. You haven’t yet understood (until now perhaps your big husband sat there and the seat is adjusted for him). Your first task is to raise, move, adjust the seat “for yourself.” And when you have settled, the next action is Mirrors and your hands.

Look, where is your left hand? — On the left! (Venstre!). And at once look for the left mirror on the outside of the car (venstre speil). You have not even started driving yet, but you must look at what you see there. The next mirror is at the top, in the middle. It too needs to be adjusted a little so that when you “cast your girlish glance at this mirror,” you must fully see through the rear window what is moving behind on the road. And the right mirror (høyre speil) is on your right hand (høyre hånd), on the outside of the car. You can look there too, still without starting to move.

Now our hands. You can write in large Norwegian letters with a ballpoint pen accordingly Venstre — Høyre. And … take hold of the wheel (rattet). The classic grip of the wheel is like on a clock face — 9 and 14 o’clock. Now we look at the instrument panel (instrumentbord). It includes: bensintank (petrol tank), fartsmåler (speedometer, shows speed), turtall motor (engine revolutions per minute), motor temperatur gives information om motorens kjøling og arbeidsmiljø (about the engine’s cooling and working condition). Måler bensinforbruk — indicator of fuel (petrol) consumption. And computerdata — the computer.

I took these concepts from the textbook, but in every car now there are many “bells and whistles” which you will have to study yourselves (look at the instruction). In short, to pass the practical exam you need to know “what-where?” is located precisely in the particular car. This is important, and when you start driving with a course instructor, ask more “where-what is located and how it is switched on,” because after you have driven an hour with the examiner, they will ask you two questions about the construction of the car and you will have to answer them.