Japan vs Norway 2026: 0.03% vs 0.02% Alcohol, NOK 1,000 per Tyre

Japan drives on the left and requires a 1949-convention international driving permit. Norway drives on the right and recommends an IDP. Alcohol limits are 0.03% in Japan and 0.02% in Norway. Norway fines non-compliant winter tyres NOK 1,000 per tyre, while Japan’s ordinary road limit is 60 km/h.

Speed limits at a glance: Japan’s 60, Norway’s 80

Japan defaults to 60 km/h on ordinary roads, 30 where a street has no centre line or a sign says so, and 100 km/h on expressways with 120 on selected sections. Norway posts 50 in towns, 80 on rural roads and 110 on motorways. The sharper contrast is tolerance: cameras in Japan allow about 10 km/h, in Norway about 3.

How much alcohol is legal at the wheel in each country?

Norway’s 0.02% is one hundredth below Japan’s 0.03%, both strict by European standards. Both license car drivers from 18. Japan’s first seatbelt offence is a warning and a point; Norway charges NOK 1,500. A handheld phone is JPY 18,000 and 3 points in Japan and NOK 5,000 in Norway.

International driving permit: Japan insists, Norway suggests

Japan lists an international driving permit as required and accepts only the 1949 Geneva Convention type, so a 1968 permit will not do; foreign licences are valid for 12 months. Norway recommends an IDP, records 3 months for non-EEA licences issued on a 1949 or 1968 convention or EU model, and asks for an authorised Norwegian translation for a national-model licence.

Getting the right permit for Japan and Norway

Japan will only accept a 1949 Geneva Convention permit, so drivers coming from a licence type it does not cover need to obtain that specific document before travelling. Norway treats the permit as a recommendation, but it remains useful for non-EEA licence holders. Check which permit your licence needs and how to apply through the international driving permit guide before you book.

From warning to court: speeding penalties

Japan’s fines climb in bands from JPY 9,000 up to 15 km/h over to JPY 18,000 at 26-30 over; the 31-35 and 35+ bands apply on expressways only, and the criminal threshold is 30 km/h over on ordinary roads and 40 on expressways. Norway’s tariff is higher from the first step: NOK 3,350 around 10 over and NOK 13,450 around 30 over, with court beyond 35 km/h.

Winter tyres: a Norwegian season, a Japanese prefecture rule

Norway has no marking requirement for cars up to 3,500 kg; it asks for grip and 3 mm of tread, running from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday (16 October to 30 April in the north) and fines NOK 1,000 per tyre. Studs are allowed in that window. Japan leaves the decision to each prefecture’s public safety commission, requires anti-skid measures on snow-covered or frozen roads, and limits studs to designated areas. See winter tyres in Norway for the detailed rules.

Tolls, equipment and emergency numbers

Norway’s toll rings are automatic, NOK 28-72 per pass in Oslo, with foreign plates invoiced by post. The warning triangle is compulsory in both countries; Norway also requires a reflective vest. In an emergency, dial 110 for police in Japan but for the fire brigade in Norway; Japan’s ambulance and fire line is 119, Norway’s ambulance is 113 and its police 112.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a US or UK licence work in Japan without the 1949 permit?

No. Japan accepts only the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP, and US, UK and many EU licences need that specific type.

How is the Norwegian winter tyre fine counted?

NOK 1,000 per tyre, plus 50% if it is unpaid after three weeks.

Which country has the lower alcohol limit, Japan or Norway?

Norway, at 0.02% against Japan’s 0.03%.

Is 120 km/h legal on Japanese roads?

Only on selected expressway sections such as the Shin-Tomei, Tohoku and Joban; the standard expressway limit is 100 km/h.

Why would 110 mean different things in Tokyo and Oslo?

In Japan 110 is the police line; in Norway it is the fire brigade, and Norwegian police answer on 112.