Operating a venue with an alcohol licence is a responsibility.  In Norway the regulations are strict, and the authorities conduct skjenkekontroll—unannounced inspections—to make sure the rules are followed.  Violations can result in fines, penalty points or loss of your licence.  That’s why it’s crucial to know what inspectors are looking for and to prepare your team accordingly.

The key rules are straightforward:

• Age control: You must verify that guests meet the legal drinking age.  Always ask for valid ID, especially if the guest appears young.  Serving minors is one of the most serious offences and leads to immediate consequences.
• No serving of intoxicated guests: It’s illegal to serve alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated.  Train your staff to recognise signs of drunkenness and step in with non‑alcoholic alternatives or call a taxi when needed.
• Respect serving times: Each municipality sets fixed opening and closing times.  Serving outside these times is a violation, so ensure all employees know the schedule and follow it.
• Internal control and documentation: You must have a documented internal control system for alcohol service (IK‑alkohol).  This includes procedures for age control, overserving, refusal of service and handling of incidents.  Keep all documentation up to date and easily accessible for inspectors.
• Advertising rules: Advertising alcoholic beverages is heavily regulated.  Avoid promotions that encourage excessive drinking, and ensure your marketing complies with the law.

To prepare for inspections, focus on clear routines and training.  Make sure every employee knows the rules and how to handle tricky situations.  Conduct regular training sessions and use checklists to remind staff of their responsibilities.  Adhere strictly to serving times and monitor your marketing.  Document everything: if you refuse a guest or handle an incident, write it down immediately.  Good documentation is often what saves you if questions arise later.

Runwell simplifies this entire process.  Our digital internal control system gathers all routines and checklists in one place and sends automatic reminders when it’s time for an inspection or training.  Staff can complete e‑learning modules on age verification and responsible service, sign off on checklists and register incidents right from their phone.  When inspectors arrive, you can show them your digital log with proof of training, routines and incident reports.  With Runwell you avoid paper binders, reduce the risk of forgetting tasks and create a culture of compliance