The letter 'E' (plus a number) designates main routes, while the letter 'R' (plus a number) indicates lesser roads. Traffic drives on the right and overtakes on the left. The speed limit on motorways is usually 90kph (56mph), although in some places this increases to 100kph (57mph), while it is 80kph (50mph) outside towns, 50kph (31mph) in populated areas and 30kph (19mph) in certain residential streets. All passengers must wear seat belts. Motorcyclists must wear helmets. All vehicles must have dipped headlights on at all times. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.02%. Overseas national driving licences and International Driving Permits are both valid in Norway. Third-party insurance is compulsory and a Green Card is recommended.

The Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) (tel: 08505; www.naf.no) operates an emergency breakdown service which can be used by anyone who is a member of a major international motoring organisation.

Emergency breakdown service: NAF (tel: 08505).

Routes to the city: Bergen is connected to Oslo by the E16, which runs Bergen-Voss-Aurland-Lærdalsøyri-Fagernes-Hønefoss-Sandvika. From Sandvika, the road joins the E18 into the centre of Oslo. This is the fastest route to Oslo, with the world's longest road tunnel (24.5km/15 miles) linking Aurland with Lærdal and cutting out the need for a ferry. There is a shorter route, via the R7 through Geilo, but this involves some precipitous climbs across the Hardangervidda Pass (1,250m/4,125ft) and a ferry crossing from Brimnes to Bruravik, so it is slower.

The route to and from Trondheim is rather more complicated, with several alternatives of varying suitability according to the time of year (many mountain roads are closed due to snow from October to May). The shortest route to Bergen from Trondheim (summer only) is south via the E6 across the Dovrefjell range, turning west onto the vertiginous N15 at Otta and proceeding via Lom to Sogndal, from where the E39 links with Lavik, where a ferry crosses Sognefjorden to Oppedal. From there, the E39 continues south to Bergen. In winter, it is easier to travel via Oslo using the E6 and E16.

Driving times to Bergen: From Oslo - 8 hours 30 minutes; Trondheim - 15 hours.

Coach services: Nor-way Bussekspress (tel: 8154 4444; www.nor-way.no) operates services between Oslo and Bergen, several services in each direction daily. The journey takes between 10 and 11 hours. Seats cannot be pre-booked. The Central Bus Station is located at Strømgaten 8. There is a free connection between Bergen bus station and the city centre.