Free Practice Questions for Norway Professional Driver Competence (YSK)

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Key Facts: Norway Professional Driver Competence (YSK) Exam

Official exam questions

Statens vegvesen

42/50

Passing score (84%)

Statens vegvesen

120 min

Exam time limit

Statens vegvesen

NOK 480

Theory-test fee from 1 Feb 2026

Statens vegvesen fee schedule

Kode 95

Licence endorsement awarded

Statens vegvesen / EU Directive

5 years

Code 95 validity period

Yrkessjåførforskriften

35 hours

Periodic refresher training required

Statens vegvesen Håndbok V859

2 weeks

Mandatory retake waiting period

Statens vegvesen

0.20 ‰

Norwegian legal alcohol limit

Vegtrafikkloven § 22

56 days

Roadside tachograph check history

Mobility Package I / Regulation (EU) 2020/1054

Statens vegvesen requires candidates for professional driver competence (YSK) to pass a 50-question computer-based theory test with at least 42 correct answers within 120 minutes. The theory test fee is NOK 480 effective 1 February 2026. Approved YSK training must be registered in the system before booking, and passing awards the 5-year Code 95 qualification.

Sample Norway Professional Driver Competence (YSK) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Norway Professional Driver Competence (YSK) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary operational advantage of driving a modern heavy commercial vehicle within the tachometer's designated green band (grønt turtallsområde)?

A.The engine operates at its maximum torque plateau with the lowest specific fuel consumption

B.The turbocharger generates maximum boost pressure regardless of road incline

C.The engine delivers maximum peak horsepower (makseffekt) to accelerate rapidly

D.The exhaust brake automatically engages to prevent engine overspeed

Explanation: Operating within the green RPM band keeps the engine in its optimal torque plateau where thermodynamic efficiency is highest and specific fuel consumption (g/kWh) is lowest. This eco-driving principle (økonomisk kjøring) minimizes wear on engine components while delivering maximum pulling power.

2How does specific fuel consumption (spesifikt drivstofforbruk, measured in g/kWh) behave across a commercial vehicle engine's operating RPM spectrum?

A.It is highest at peak torque and drops continuously toward engine redline

B.It reaches its minimum near the lower-to-middle RPM range where torque is maximized, and rises at higher RPMs

C.It remains constant across all engine speeds because electronic fuel injection meters fuel proportionally

D.It increases exponentially whenever the vehicle operates in top gear at steady highway speeds

Explanation: The specific fuel consumption curve reaches its lowest point near the engine's peak torque range, typically between 1,000 and 1,400 RPM in modern heavy diesels. As RPM rises past this plateau, internal mechanical friction, pumping losses, and thermal inefficiencies increase the grams of fuel required per kilowatt-hour produced.

3How does a hydraulic hydrodynamic retarder (retarder) absorb braking energy, and where is that energy dissipated?

A.Friction brake pads clamp against an oil-submerged carbon disc, transferring heat to the chassis frame

B.Oil is accelerated by a rotor against stationary stator vanes, converting kinetic energy into heat dissipated by the engine cooling system

C.Electromagnetic eddy currents create magnetic resistance within drums cooled by ambient airflow

D.Exhaust backpressure builds behind a butterfly valve, venting hot gases directly into the intake manifold

Explanation: A hydrodynamic retarder uses a rotor driven by the drivetrain to pump transmission fluid against stationary stator vanes. The turbulent shearing of oil converts kinetic energy into thermal energy, which is carried away through an oil-to-water heat exchanger integrated into the vehicle's primary engine cooling system.

4What is the primary operating limitation of an electromagnetic retarder (elektromagnetisk retarder, e.g., Telma) during prolonged downhill braking?

A.It exhausts the pneumatic reservoir tanks after two minutes of continuous use

B.Thermal saturation causes electrical resistance to increase in the coils, leading to progressive torque fading

C.It stalls the engine because it locks the crankshaft directly to the chassis frame

D.The hydraulic fluid boils and triggers an automatic emergency shutdown of the transmission

Explanation: Electromagnetic retarders generate tremendous heat in their steel rotors through eddy currents. As the rotors and electromagnetic coils heat up over extended descents, electrical resistance in the copper windings increases and magnetic permeability decreases, causing thermal fading and a noticeable reduction in auxiliary braking torque.

5How does a compression-release engine brake (dekompresjonsbrems, e.g., Volvo VEB or Jake Brake) generate braking force?

A.It shuts off the turbocharger to starve the engine of combustion air entirely

B.It opens exhaust valves near top dead center of the compression stroke, releasing trapped compressed air before it can push the piston back down

C.It injects diesel fuel during the exhaust stroke to cause controlled reverse ignition against piston movement

D.It shifts the automated transmission into neutral and applies friction disc brakes inside the gearbox

Explanation: During normal engine operation, air compressed on the compression stroke acts like a spring, pushing the piston down on the power stroke. A compression-release brake opens the exhaust valves just before top dead center, dumping the compressed air into the exhaust manifold so no energy is returned to the piston, turning the engine into an energy-absorbing air compressor.

6What is the primary purpose of GPS-assisted predictive cruise control (forutseende fartsholder) in commercial transport?

A.To automatically steer the vehicle around sharp curves without driver intervention

B.To analyze upcoming topography and modulate throttle, coasting, and momentum to minimize fuel consumption

C.To report driver hours directly to Statens vegvesen inspection stations in real time

D.To prevent the vehicle from exceeding the maximum speed limit set on tachograph driver cards

Explanation: Predictive cruise control combines high-precision GPS positioning with integrated digital 3D elevation maps. It anticipates upcoming inclines and descents kilometers ahead, letting the vehicle build momentum before hills, back off the throttle before crests, and utilize freewheeling (Eco-Roll) downhill, cutting fuel consumption by up to 5-10%.

7When approaching the crest of a hill (bakketopp) while driving defensively and economically, what driving technique yields the greatest fuel savings?

A.Accelerate aggressively to carry maximum speed over the summit into the descent

B.Ease off the accelerator early and allow vehicle momentum to carry the combination over the crest

C.Shift into the lowest possible manual gear to maintain maximum engine RPM at the peak

D.Apply the hydraulic retarder while climbing to balance engine torque

Explanation: Easing off the accelerator before reaching the crest uses the vehicle's kinetic energy to summit the hill. Since gravity will naturally accelerate the vehicle on the impending downhill slope, any throttle applied immediately before the crest is wasted fuel that would only need to be dissipated by the brakes.

8What is the direct consequence of under-inflated tyres on a heavy commercial vehicle's fuel economy and operating safety?

A.Decreased rolling resistance, resulting in slightly lower fuel consumption and cooler tyre treads

B.Increased rolling resistance, higher fuel consumption, and severe heat buildup that can lead to tyre delamination or blowout

C.Improved lateral stability on dry asphalt due to an enlarged contact patch

D.Faster pneumatic air dryer regeneration due to decreased wheel rotational speed

Explanation: Under-inflation increases the tyre carcass flexing (deformasjon) as the wheel rolls, which dramatically raises rolling resistance (rullemotstand) and fuel consumption. The excessive flexing generates severe internal friction and heat, which breaks down rubber compounds and can cause sudden tread separation or catastrophic blowout.

9Why does aerodynamic drag (luftmotstand) become a major fuel-consumption factor for a heavy commercial vehicle at highway speed?

A.Because vehicle mass makes aerodynamic drag rise in direct proportion to speed

B.Because only trailer tyres create aerodynamic resistance

C.Drag rises rapidly with speed, so speed choice and aerodynamic equipment materially affect fuel use

D.Aerodynamic drag stays almost constant as speed rises

Explanation: Aerodynamic force rises roughly with the square of speed, while the power needed to overcome it rises even more sharply. The exact share of fuel use varies by vehicle, load, wind, and route, but modest speed reduction and correctly adjusted aerodynamic equipment can materially reduce consumption.

10What is the critical safety function of the four-circuit protection valve (firekrets beskyttelsesventil) in a commercial vehicle's air brake system?

A.To equalize air pressure between front and rear tyres during cornering

B.To protect intact brake circuits from total pressure loss if one individual pneumatic circuit suffers a rupture or leak

C.To automatically engage the exhaust brake whenever the service brake pedal is depressed

D.To distribute hydraulic fluid evenly between the retarder and power steering pump

Explanation: The four-circuit protection valve isolates the separate pneumatic circuits (front axle circuit 1, rear axle circuit 2, trailer/parking brake circuit 3, and auxiliary consumers circuit 4). If one circuit bursts, the valve preserves pressure above a defined safety threshold (typically around 6 bar) in the remaining circuits, ensuring service brakes and parking brakes continue to function.

About the Norway Professional Driver Competence (YSK) Exam

The Norwegian Professional Driver Competence Exam (yrkessjåførprøve / YSK-eksamen) is the knowledge examination conducted by Statens vegvesen after approved initial or extension training for commercial goods or passenger transport. The routes share common material but also have goods- and passenger-specific objectives; this combined bank samples both and does not simulate one exact route-specific paper. The official exam is in Norwegian. This is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation or a substitute for mandatory training.

Exam sponsor: Statens vegvesen (Norwegian Public Roads Administration). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

50 multiple-choice questions covering advanced mechanics, eco-driving, driving and rest hours, tachographs, cargo and passenger safety, ergonomics, and transport regulations.

Time Limit

120 minutes

Passing Score

42 of 50 correct

Exam / Certification Fees

NOK 480 theory-test fee at Statens vegvesen from 1 February 2026.

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not publicly released by Statens vegvesen. Statens vegvesen publishes official exam parameters (50 questions, 42 passing score, 120 minutes) but does not publicly release first-time pass percentage statistics. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.