Prøvekjøringen begynner nå.

It is made up of:

• prøve = test, trial
• kjøring = driving, running, operation
• prøvekjøring = a test drive / trial run
• prøvekjøringen = the test drive / the trial run

So Norwegian often builds one long noun where English might use two words.

The ending -en is the definite article attached to the noun. In Norwegian, instead of usually putting a separate word like the before the noun, you often add it to the end:

• en prøvekjøring = a test drive
• prøvekjøringen = the test drive

This is very common in Norwegian.

Yes, it is normally treated as a masculine noun:

• en prøvekjøring = a test drive
• prøvekjøringen = the test drive

That is why the definite singular ending is -en.

Begynner is the present tense of å begynne, which means to begin or to start.

Examples:

• å begynne = to begin
• begynner = begin(s), is beginning

In this sentence, it means begins or is starting, depending on how naturally you would translate it into English.

Because Norwegian often uses the simple present where English might prefer either:

• begins
• is beginning
• is starting

So Prøvekjøringen begynner nå can naturally correspond to English The test drive begins now or The test drive is starting now.

Nå means now.

In this sentence, it comes at the end:

• Prøvekjøringen begynner nå.

That is a very natural placement. But Norwegian is flexible, and you can also move nå to the front for emphasis:

• Nå begynner prøvekjøringen. = Now the test drive begins.

Both are correct, but the emphasis changes slightly.

This is the normal Norwegian main-clause word order:

• subject
  • verb
    • other elements

So:

• Prøvekjøringen = subject
• begynner = verb
• nå = time adverb

That gives:

• Prøvekjøringen begynner nå.

Norwegian usually keeps the finite verb in the second position in main clauses.

Yes. That is also correct.

When nå comes first, the verb still stays in second position:

• Nå begynner prøvekjøringen.

This is a good example of Norwegian V2 word order, where the finite verb comes second in main clauses.

Not necessarily. It can be used for a test drive, but also more broadly for a trial run or test operation, depending on context.

So the exact English translation depends on what is being tested:

• a car: test drive
• a system, machine, or process: trial run / test run

A rough guide for an English speaker would be something like:

• PRUH-vuh-shur-ing-en

A few important points:

• ø is a vowel English does not really have; it is somewhat similar to the vowel in French deux or German schön
• kj in many dialects sounds like a soft sh-like sound
• the r is pronounced clearly in Norwegian, though the exact sound depends on dialect

The exact pronunciation varies a bit by region.

Because Norwegian uses compound nouns very freely. What English often writes as two words or a phrase, Norwegian often writes as one word.

So:

• prøve
  • kjøring → prøvekjøring

This is completely normal in Norwegian and something learners see all the time.

Sometimes, yes, depending on context.

• begynner = begins / starts
• starter = starts

But begynner is often the more neutral choice for begins, while starter can sometimes sound more like something is being actively started, switched on, or set in motion.

So Prøvekjøringen begynner nå is a very natural sentence. Prøvekjøringen starter nå could also work in some situations, but it may sound slightly different in tone or usage.