Norway

  1. Under what circumstances can a stolen vehicle be seized in your country?
  • If there is sufficient information about a motor vehicle to give rise to reasonable suspicion that it has been stolen, the police may seize the vehicle. If the thief disputes the seizure, the matter will be decided by a court of justice.
  1. What channels are used to notify the owner of the vehicle’s location (Interpol or other)?
  • If the vehicle is registered in the Schengen Information System, the SIRENE bureau will be the contact point. If the vehicle was reported stolen in another Nordic country, direct contact may be made. Otherwise, the Interpol channel is normally used.
  1. Who is responsible for the storage of seized vehicles?
  • In some parts of Norway the police store the vehicle, in which case no costs are involved. In other areas, private companies let premises for the storage of stolen vehicles and in such cases, the owner or insurance company will have to pay storage fees.
  1. Are there any costs associated with storage of a seized stolen vehicle and who is responsible for these costs?
  • See item 3.
  1. How does a stolen vehicle get restored to its legal owner?
  • If it can be proved that the car has been stolen and the rightful owner is traced, the owner has a legal right to have the vehicle returned.

a) Do the police have authority to restore the vehicle?

  • Restitution can only take place via the police.

b) Is it the local court who authorizes release of the vehicle?

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c) Is it necessary to have a “commission rogatoire” to recover the vehicle?

  • A “commission rogatoire” is not required.

d) What documentation does the owner have to provide in order to recover the vehicle?

  • Requests to recover a vehicle may be forwarded directly to the relevant police authority in Norway. The owner will be required to present proof of ownership.
  1. Are there any time limits associated with recovery of the vehicle? (i.e. after a certain period of time the vehicle becomes the property of the state or police, etc.)?
  • In practice there are no time limits on the owner’s right to recover his vehicle.

7. Please give details of relevant legislation

  1. If the law in your country precludes the restitution of a stolen vehicle to its original owner, please give the reasons why
  • In Norway, if property was taken from the original owner by means of theft or some other criminal offence, the original owner may always demand the return of his property, even if the current holder has obtained it in good faith,.
  1. Does your country have any bilateral treaties, conventions, or agreements with other countries dealing with the recovery of stolen property? If so, please describe how they operate and give details of the countries concerned
  • No.
  1. Reference point, for assistance in case of difficulties
    Contact point –
    NCB Oslo
    Tel: +47 23208888

Last update : June 2008