Police warn of illegal driving license point trading scheme in Norway

Closed Facebook groups are allowing sellers to “claim” points on driving licenses from others for amounts ranging from 2,500 to 3,500 kroner. This illegal trade involves a person caught speeding by an automated speed camera transferring the control code and case number to someone else. The new individual then contacts the Police Administrative Center (PAC), posing as the driver at the time of the offense. The police subsequently issue fines and points on the driving license to the seller of this service.

One seller, identified as ‘Peter,’ stated, “It was a quick way to earn some extra money,” offering to take a point on someone else’s license for 3,500 kroner. “It costs me nothing to take a point from someone else who may need it removed more than I do,” he added.

In response to this issue, the police have issued a strong warning. After becoming aware of the problem, PAC has altered its procedures. All cases involving a speeding offense that incurs points or license suspension will now be manually reviewed. This includes approximately 35,000 cases annually. Both individuals trying to evade punishment and those incriminating themselves are committing serious offenses that can lead to imprisonment.

PAC reported that since April 2024, every case where another person may assume responsibility will be extracted from the automated system for thorough review. Suspect cases will be sent for investigation, and PAC emphasized that providing false information to the police, even to an administrative system, is a severe matter punishable by up to six years in prison. Each participant in this scheme, both the original driver and the impersonator, could face legal action under the relevant sections of criminal law.