The amendments to the Norwegian Cabotage Act send a clear message to transport companies: Compliance with these laws will no longer be a side issue. These changes are aimed at combating unfair competition and promoting a fairer transport industry.
New inspection powers and penalties
When the new legislation comes into force on March 1, Norway will have significant tools to enforce its cabotage regulations. The police and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration now have the power to impose fines for a wide range of offenses during on-the-spot checks.
The sanctionable offenses include:
Lack of documentation for international transportation
Transport companies must now be able to prove that cabotage takes place directly following a cross-border delivery. If this proof is missing, there is a risk of severe fines.
Limitation of cabotage operations
The number of cabotage operations that may be carried out after an international delivery is strictly limited. Violations lead to severe penalties. The time limit for cabotage operations is also monitored.

The details are as follows. A transport company with a Community authorization that has delivered international cargo to an EU/EEA country may carry out cabotage under the following conditions:
The driver must carry out the cabotage with the same vehicle that was used for the international transportation.
The driver may carry out a maximum of three cabotage journeys after the international load has been unloaded.
The unloading after the last cabotage journey must take place within 7 days after the delivery of the international cargo has taken place.
A transport company may also carry out some or all cabotage operations in all member countries, provided that these are limited to one cabotage operation per member country within three days of the unladen vehicle entering the territory of the member country (transit cabotage).
Documentation requirements
Incomplete or missing consignment notes constitute an infringement that can now be subject to immediate fines.
Drivers must always be in possession of the following documents: – Driving license – Consignment note – Salary slip/employment contract – Overview of working hours in Norway
Specific changes and their impact
The changes include the possibility of directly imposing fines for a number of violations. Particularly significant is the fine of NOK 60,000 (approx. EUR 5,200) for transport companies operating without the required license or driver card. These measures are intended to ensure compliance with the rules and create a fair competitive environment for all players.
Adaptation strategies for haulage companies
To comply with the new requirements, hauliers should consider the following steps:
- Conduct internal training: The workforce needs to be made aware of the new regulations and what they mean for their daily work.
- Introduce compliance checks: Regular internal checks can help to identify and correct potential breaches at an early stage.
- Optimize documentation processes: The accuracy and completeness of transportation documentation must be ensured to avoid risking fines during inspections.
- Strengthen communication with partners: Close coordination with business partners along the supply chain is crucial to ensure compliance with cabotage regulations.
Outlook
There will be further important changes from 2026.
Introduction of a driving and rest period regulation for international transports with vans with a gross vehicle weight between 2.5 and 3.5 tons
Introduction of a tachograph requirement for international transports with vans with a gross vehicle weight between 2.5 and 3.5 tons.
Conclusion
The tightening of cabotage regulations in Norway represents both a challenge and an opportunity for haulage companies. While the stricter controls and penalties require an immediate adjustment of business practices, they also offer the opportunity to position themselves as responsible and compliant players in the industry. At a time when transparency and fairness are becoming increasingly important, those who proactively adapt to the new regulations could gain a decisive competitive advantage.
