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Shop test or bar test? Salgsbevilling vs skjenkebevilling
Kunnskapsprøven comes in two main versions: one for shops (salgsbevilling) and one for bars, restaurants and cafés (skjenkebevilling). This page explains which one you need and the rules that differ between them, in plain English. Facts checked 2026-10-21 against alkoholloven, alkoholforskriften and Helsedirektoratet's guidance. Prøvetolk is independent practice material, not an official source.
Which one do you need?
- Shop test (salgsbevilling): you will be styrer (manager) or stedfortreder (deputy) for a grocery store or other shop that sells beer and cider up to 4.7% alcohol.
- Bar and restaurant test (skjenkebevilling): you will be styrer or stedfortreder at a place that serves alcohol to drink on the premises: a restaurant, bar, pub, café or hotel.
Your kommune's application form or test invitation names the test. Both tests have the same format: 30 multiple-choice questions in Norwegian, 60 minutes, 24 correct (80%) to pass. The styrer and the stedfortreder must both be at least 20 years old.
The rules that differ
| Shop (salg) | Bar / restaurant (skjenking) | |
|---|---|---|
| What you may sell | Drinks with at most 4.7% alcohol (beer, cider). AL § 3-1 | Depends on the licence: beer, wine and/or spirits up to 60%. AL § 1-6, § 4-4 |
| Customer age limit | 18 to buy beer. AL § 1-5 | 18 for beer and wine, 20 for spirits (22% or more). AL § 1-5 |
| Standard hours | 08:00–18:00 on weekdays, until 15:00 on Saturdays and days before public holidays. AL § 3-7 | Beer and wine 08:00–01:00, spirits 13:00–24:00. AL § 4-4 |
| What the kommune can change | Can extend to 20:00 at most on weekdays, 18:00 on days before Sundays and public holidays. AL § 3-7 | Can allow serving until 03:00 at most; spirits never before 13:00. AL § 4-4 |
| Days with no sales | Sundays, public holidays, 1 May and 17 May. AL § 3-7 | No general ban on Sundays; hours follow the licence. |
| When time is up | A customer already in the queue may pay for beer they have picked out. Helsedirektoratet | Guests have 30 minutes to finish drinks already served. AL § 4-4 |
| Drinking on site | Customers may not drink alcohol in the shop. AF § 3-2 | Guests may not bring their own alcohol, or take alcohol out of the serving area. AF § 4-4 |
| Offers and discounts | Special discount offers like "buy three, get one free" are banned. AL § 8-12 | A happy hour is allowed, but it may not be advertised. AL § 8-12, § 9-2 |
| Extra topics | Placing beer so it can't be confused with alcohol-free drinks. AF § 3-3 | Staff age (18 to serve beer and wine, 20 for spirits, with exceptions such as a waiter fagbrev), alcohol-free alternatives on the menu, closed parties (sluttet selskap), single-occasion licences. AL § 1-5, AF § 4-6, AL § 4-2, § 1-6 |
The rules that are the same
- Intoxicated customers: never sell to or serve someone who is obviously intoxicated (åpenbart påvirket). AF § 3-1, § 4-1
- Buying for someone else: refuse if you understand the alcohol is for someone under age. AL § 8-8
- Advertising ban: no alcohol ads, including on social media. AL § 9-2
- Penalty points (prikker): for example 8 points for selling or serving to someone under 18, and 12 points within two years means the licence is suspended for a week. AF § 10-2, § 10-3
- Internal control (internkontroll) and a clean record (uklanderlig vandel) for the licence holder. AF § 10-3, AL § 1-7b
Example questions from each test
Real questions from Prøvetolk's free tests, in Norwegian like the exam, with English help and the paragraph each answer comes from.
Shop · Alkoholloven § 3-7
Hva er normaltiden for salg av øl i butikk på en vanlig hverdag (mandag–fredag)?
What is the standard time for selling beer in a shop on a normal weekday (Monday–Friday)?
- 08.00–18.00 (08:00–18:00) ✓
- 08.00–20.00 (08:00–20:00)
- 09.00–21.00 (09:00–21:00)
Answer: A. The standard sales time is 08:00–18:00 on weekdays. The kommune can extend it (up to 20:00) or shorten it.
Shop · Alkoholloven § 3-7
Til hvilket klokkeslett er normaltiden for salg av øl på lørdager og dager før helligdager?
Until what time is the standard sales time for beer on Saturdays and days before public holidays?
- Kl. 15.00 (15:00) ✓
- Kl. 16.00 (16:00)
- Kl. 18.00 (18:00)
Answer: A. On days before Sundays and public holidays the standard time is 08:00–15:00. The kommune can extend it (up to 18:00).
Bar/restaurant · Alkoholloven § 1-5
Hva er aldersgrensen for å få skjenket et glass vin med 12 volumprosent?
What is the age limit for being served a glass of wine with 12% alcohol?
- 18 år (18) ✓
- 20 år (20)
- 21 år (21)
Answer: A. Wine is under 22%, so the age limit is 18.
Bar/restaurant · Alkoholloven § 4-4
Hva er normaltiden for skjenking av øl og vin (under 22 volumprosent) når kommunen ikke har vedtatt noe annet?
What is the standard serving time for beer and wine (under 22%) when the kommune has not decided otherwise?
- 08.00–01.00 (08:00–01:00) ✓
- 08.00–03.00 (08:00–03:00)
- 13.00–24.00 (13:00–24:00)
Answer: A. The standard time for beer and wine is 08:00 to 01:00. The kommune can shorten or extend it, but never allow serving between 03:00 and 06:00. Always check your kommune's own skjenketider.
Bar/restaurant · Alkoholloven § 4-4
Fra hvilket klokkeslett kan brennevin (22–60 volumprosent) tidligst skjenkes etter normaltiden?
From what time at the earliest can spirits (22–60%) be served under the standard rules?
- Kl. 08.00 (08:00)
- Kl. 12.00 (12:00)
- Kl. 13.00 (13:00) ✓
Answer: C. The standard time for spirits (22–60%) is 13:00 to midnight. Spirits can never be served between 03:00 and 13:00.
Practise the test you need
Prøvetolk has a free test for both the shop and the bar/restaurant exam, no sign-up needed. Full access to both question banks and timed exam mode costs 299 NOK for 60 days, with a 14-day refund. New to the test? Read kunnskapsprøven in English for format, booking and key words.
Explanations are written with help from AI and reviewed against alkoholloven, alkoholforskriften and Helsedirektoratet's guidance. Your kommune may set shorter hours than the standard ones above.
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