{
  "id": 5761682,
  "title": "Indian spends Rs 6 lakh to get driving licence in Norway: ‘Almost 2 years of struggle’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/indian-spends-rs-6-lakh-to-get-driving-licence-in-norway-almost-2",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T10:06:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/indian-man-norway-driving-licence-cost-struggle-10864512/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An Indian man living in Norway, Vikas, experienced an arduous journey to obtain a driving licence, which consumed nearly two years and around Rs 6 lakh of his resources. Upon moving to Norway in 2011, Vikas learned that the process entailed mandatory courses, safety training, theory tests, and extensive driving practice before he could attempt the final test. He initially received assistance from a neighbor but soon discovered that obtaining a licence demanded more than just basic vehicle operation skills. The training encompassed diverse driving conditions and roads, including snowy routes, mountain paths, tunnels, highways, and narrower roads. Despite months of preparation, Vikas failed the initial test and had to undergo an additional two months of practice before finally passing the second attempt. He emphasized that the test did not merely evaluate one's ability to control a vehicle but also assessed their capacity to drive safely around other individuals. Vikas expressed his astonishment at the demanding nature of the process and questioned the safety-focused evaluation methods employed in Norway. He further drew parallels to the situation in India, highlighting the financial and emotional consequences of road accidents on families, particularly those who adhered to traffic rules responsibly. Vikas questioned whether a driving licence should solely certify one's driving proficiency or also reflect their comprehension of the responsibility associated with operating a vehicle. His post garnered a significant response on X, with users debating the merits of Norway's licensing system compared to the prevalent issues in India, such as corruption, inadequate enforcement of traffic rules, and the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the driving licence system.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}