Become a driver
How to become a driver at Oslo Taxi
Basic requirements to become a professional driver
Be 20 years old and have satisfactory conduct
The applicant must be 20 years of age or older and have satisfactory conduct.
Have held a class B driving license for at least two consecutive years
Applicants for a taxi driving license must have held a class B driving license for at least two consecutive years before a driving license can be issued.
Meet the same health requirements as for driving licenses of class D and DE
Applicants for a driving licence must meet the same health requirements as for driving licences in classes D and DE. A medical certificate must, as is the case today, be attached to applications for a driving licence and applications for renewal of a driving licence. This applies to everyone who applies for a driving licence for a taxi or for renewal of a driving licence for a taxi.
Professional competence
You must have sufficient professional competence to be able to apply for a taxi driver's license. When applying for a license or applying for renewal of a license, the applicant must attach proof of such professional competence.
The requirement for professional competence is met either by completing a driver's exam at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, or by the applicant holding a valid certificate of professional driver competence for passenger transport in accordance with the Professional Driver Regulations.
The requirement to pass the driver's education exam only applies to new applicants for a driving license. This means that those who have a driving license when the new regulations come into force are exempt from the requirement to pass the driver's exam when their driving license is renewed.
4 years of residence in Norway
For foreign citizens, a 4-year residency period in Norway is also required before a driving licence can be issued. Section 37 c of the Professional Transport Act stipulates some exceptions to this.
*Requirements apply from November 1, 2024
*The police have lifted their knowledge test requirement for Oslo and Akershus. However, Oslo Taxi has its own knowledge test for those who want to become drivers for Oslo Taxi.
To become a driver in Oslo Taxi
Registration, knowledge test and interview
Everyone who wants to become a driver in Oslo Taxi must complete an interview that costs 500 kroner. The amount is not refunded if you do not attend. The interview will assess, among other things, your understanding of Norwegian, and we will decide whether you must take a separate language test in addition.
You will receive the results of the assessment by email a few days after the interview. If you need a language test, we will arrange a new appointment with you. The language test costs 500 kroner and you must bring your driver's license. If you do not pass the interview and/or the language test, the application process will end.
If you pass, you continue with the knowledge test and then the aspirant course with an exam.
Local knowledge test for Oslo Taxi
Before you take the knowledge test, you must purchase a map book for Oslo and Akershus and a syllabus booklet. Both can be purchased from us at Trondheimsveien 100. Study the syllabus booklet well and drive around Oslo and Akershus to learn the places and roads. Remember to bring your police driving license and driving permit to the test.
For prices, see separate section.
The Aspirant Course
Before you can start the course, you must pass a Norwegian language test if you do not have a Norwegian children's/young people's school with a grade of 3 or better. All applicants must also pass Oslo Taxi's Oslo Taxi test before they can participate in the course.
The aspirant course is divided into four parts. Part 1 is the basic course that runs over five days. The first four days are taught from 4 pm to 9 pm, where you learn about taximeters, shift data and settlements with licensees. On day five, there is an exam from 10 am to 1 pm, and graduation takes place on the first Monday after the exam from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Parts 2, 3 and 4 are follow-up courses that last approximately 2.5 hours each and are conducted 2, 4 and 6 months after passing the basic course, respectively. Part 2 is about service and quality, part 3 about transporting people with dementia and driving behavior, and part 4 about reputation and updates. You are required to attend these courses to avoid course fees and to ensure that your ID card is not blocked.
The course will teach you about customer service adapted to different groups, child protection, robbery prevention and first aid, uniforms and how to represent Oslo Taxi. The course also covers environmentally friendly driving, use of bus stops and alarm handling. Oslo Taxi's values – equality, efficiency and honesty – are a common thread throughout the course, and your behavior must always be within these values.
If you do not pass the exam, you must take a new aspirant course. If during the course of your education it is found that you do not meet the requirements for behavior and language, the education may be terminated without you receiving an ID card in Oslo Taxi. For information about prices, see the separate section.
From owner of another taxi company to driver at Oslo Taxi
Drivers from other taxi companies can apply in the normal way, but will not receive an ID card until the exam has been passed and the affiliation with the previous company has ended. If you have a notice period, you can only register for the trainee course in the last month of the notice period.
Send an email to kurs@oslotaxi.no to register.
After graduation, you have 14 days to collect your ID card.
6-month probationary period - "green" driver
Your first ID card lasts for six months and has a green stripe. This means that you are on probation and must perform the driving profession according to Oslo Taxi's standards. During the probationary period, you must complete three follow-up courses of approximately 2.5 hours each:
- Course 1 on service and quality after 2 months
- Course 2 on transporting people with dementia after 4 months
- Course 3 on reputation and updates after 6 months
You will receive course materials as the date approaches. You must attend all courses to avoid course fees and to ensure that your ID card is not blocked. After successfully completing the trial period, you will become a regular driver with a red ID card that lasts for 24 months.
Prices
The knowledge test and interview fee costs 500 kroner.
The aspirant course is free if you complete the entire course (six months) and drive a minimum of one shift per week. If you do not meet these requirements, you will have to pay:
- 2,500 kroner in course fees.
- Language test costs 500 kroner.
- Reputation course (aspirant course part 4) costs NOK 500
- Continuing education courses cost 500 kroner.
Has it been more than three years since you last drove a taxi? Here are the requirements you must comply with
Registration and conversation
This applies to drivers who have been out of the profession for more than 3 years. Once you have registered, you will meet at the agreed time at Trondheimsveien 100 with your driver's license and a ticket from the police.
Everyone must complete an interview that costs 500 kroner. The amount will be deducted from the later course fee, but will not be refunded if you do not attend. If you do not get a place, you will get the amount back. During the interview, your understanding of Norwegian will be assessed, among other things, and we will decide whether you need a separate language test. Certificates from language tests or other education are advantageous. You will receive a response by email the first working day after the interview. If you need a language test, we will arrange a new appointment. Remember to bring your driver's license for the language test.
If you do not proceed after the interview, the application process is terminated. If you proceed, you will continue with a mini-aspirant course if you have been absent for 3-5 years, or a full aspirant course with an exam if you have been absent for more than 5 years. Absences are counted from the last trip you took. All tests must be passed to receive an ID card.
Continuing education courses
For prices, see under "Requirements for new drivers in Oslo Taxi"
After a long absence
If you are absent for 6 months to 3 years, you must complete a continuing education course. You will not receive an ID card until the course has been completed. For prices, see the section “Requirements for new drivers in Oslo Taxi”. Absence is counted from the last trip made.