Formalities
Always carry a valid driving licence, the certificate of registration and proof of third party insurance.
A warning triangle is obligatory.
Seat belts are compulsory for front and rear seat occupants, if fitted.
Children under 135 cm must use approved safety seating devices (child's seat or on a belt cushion) adapted to their height and weight.
If the car has been approved without seat belts, children under 3 years of age are not allowed in the car. Children over 3 years of age but under 135 cm must be seated in the back seat.
If the car has been approved with seat belts in the front seats, one child under 135 cm may be placed in an approved safety seating devices (child's seat or on a belt cushion), adapted to its height and weight in the front seat. More children under 135 cm must be placed in the back seat.
For motor cyclists a safety helmet is compulsory. Motor cycles are allowed to tow a trailer or trailer device, mopeds are not.
Vehicles and motorcycles must use dipped headlamps even by day and in clear weather. Fog lamps must only be used in foggy weather or heavy rain, and not in built-up areas.
The depth of the treads in the tyre must be at least 1.6 mm. Studded tyres are not compulsory in Denmark. If fitted, they are only to be used during the period 1st November-15th April, and only if fitted on all 4 wheels.
It is not permitted to drive a vehicle in Denmark while using a handheld mobile phone. Violation amounts to DKK 500.
Flashlight must be used when changing lane on motorways, prior to and after overtaking. Violation amounts to DKK 500.
In case of sudden danger on motorways, i.e. quees, warning lights must be activated in order to warn fellow-road users.
Minimum age for driving, provided you hold a licence, is 18 for a car and motorcycle.
Speed Limits
Motorways:
In general 130 km/hour on certain stretches. Cars and motor cycles towing trailer vehicle, lorries, and coaches: 80 km/hour. Please note that at some stretches on motorways, cars and motor cycles towing trailer vehicles, lorries and coaches are not allowed to overtake during the time 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. These stretches are indicated on warning signs.
Several stretches will only allow lower speed limits i.e. 110 km/h due to special conditions such as dangerous stretches and heavy traffic around major cities.
Other roads:
80 km/hour. Cars and coaches. Cars and motor cycles towing trailer vehicles and lorries 70 km/hour.
Built-up areas:
50 km/hour(indicated on white plates with town silhouettes).
Please note that in built-up areas, the speed limit for such vehicles must not exceed 50 km/hour, even though local signs may permit higher limits.
Local signs may indicate lower or permit higher limits. On the whole, speed should always be adjusted to prevailing circumstances. In case of even minor speed limit offences, drivers will be liable to heavy fines to be paid on the spot. If payment cannot be made, the car may be detained.
Toll roads
The motorway-bridge across Storebælt
The motorway-bridge across Øresund
Traffic Regulations
Drive on right, overtake on the left and give way to traffic from the right. Most traffic signs in Denmark are international. Note especially: A red and white triangular give way sign or a line of white triangles across the road
signify that you must give way to traffic on the road you enter. Give way to buses that signal to pull out from bus stops. It is not automatically permitted to drive into the green at a junction unless you are sure to get through and
avoid blocking the street.
As a rule, pedestrians crossings are zebra crossings. Speed must be adjusted so as not to endanger pedestrians in the crossing or stepping into it. At junctions and roundabouts, give way to pedestrians crossing the lane you are entering, and give way to cyclists and mopeds that move on ahead when you are to turn. When turning right, look out especially for those coming up from behind. All vehicles and motorcyclists must use dipped headlamps even by day. It is forbidden to drive under the influence of alcohol or medicine.
Stopping and parking
Stopping and parking is as a rule permitted on the right side of the road but prohibited on main roads and motorways.
Private cars may park two wheels on the pavement only if pedestrians are not inconvenienced and local police regulations permit it. In Copenhagen parking is permitted in marked areas only. Please note that over 3 minutes' idle
running is prohibited in several places.
Unlawfully parked cars result in a fine of DKK 510. The fine may be demanded paid on the spot. The police are further authorised to tow away an unlawfully parked car, the charges in connection herewith are added to the amount of the fine.
Limited waiting is always indicated on signs. Hours (Time in Danish) in black or white refer to workdays except Saturdays, hours in brackets refer to Saturdays, and hours in red refer to Sun- and holidays. Parking discs must
always be used, wherever limited parking is allowed. Set disc to show time of arrival. Discs are available from gas stations, banks, etc.
Driving in Denmark under the influence of alchohol or drugs/euphoriants
In Denmark you are not allowed to drive under the influence of either alchohol or drugs/euphoriants. You will be asked to exhale into an alchoholmeter if the police suspects you of being intoxicated while driving, and your pupil will be checked by means of a so-called pupilometer to ascertain the reaction of your pupil if the police suspects you of driving under the influence of drugs/euphoriants.
0,5 per thousand is the permitted maximum contents of alcohol in the blood while driving in Denmark.
Accidents
112 (police/ambulance/fire brigade).
Furthermore, there are emergency telephones along the motorways at two-kilometre intervals.
The nearest telephone will be indicated by an arrow on the marker posts placed alongside the road at 100-metre intervals.
Use the emergency telephones if you have an accident, a breakdown or if you run out of petrol.
Maps
Every year the Danish Road Directorate (Vejdirektoratet) publishes a leaflet called "Motorvej". The leaflet contains maps of the Danish motorways, city maps of the bigger cities, information about hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts
etc. that can easily be reached from the motorway.
It also contains information about where the servicestations are along the motorway and the most important traffic regulations.
Go to http://www.trafikken.dk/wimpdoc.asp?page=document&objno=130741 and click on the image of the publication to get access to the online version.
This info has been gathered from Visit Denmark & the Road Directorate, the Ministry of Transport