Road rules and safety - Denmark

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The use of seat belts and child restraint systems is MANDATORY (Directive 91/671/EEC as amended).

Seatbelts are not compulsory for:

  • drivers when reversing or driving in a parking area, or similar places
  • drivers and passengers with a disability
  • people exempt for medical reasons
  • drivers when transporting a client
  • drivers and passengers of priority vehicles, including ambulances
  • delivery vehicles or private cars making frequent stops (every 500m or less)
  • police and special services transporting detainees
  • drivers of defence forces when driving at low speed in exercise areas
  • regular transport services where standing passengers are allowed

Child seats are not compulsory for:

  • children under 3 traveling in the back seat of a taxi
  • children over 3 in the back seat of a taxi, using a seat belt
  • children over 3 in occasional transport by car in the back seat
  • vehicles where there is no space for a third child seat and the child sits in the back seat wearing a seat belt

Emergency vehicles may drive through red lights.

Buses

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Heavy goods vehicles
over 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Passenger cars & vans with trailers
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways
Motorways/express ways for certain small road trains
  • Requirements for the towing vehicle:
    • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
    • Max. permissible mass 3.5 t
  • Requirements for the trailer:
    • Max. age of tires 6 years and speed marking min. 120 km/h
    • Suitable for 100 km/h
    • Max. permissible mass 3.5 t
    • A sticker marked 100 km/h

Passenger cars & vans
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Motorcycles
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways
0,5 g/l

Standard drivers

0,5 g/l

Novice drivers

0,5 g/l

Professional drivers

Forbidden drugs

THC (cannabis) Maximum limit (mg per kg blood): 0.001

Methylamphetamine Maximum limit (mg per kg blood): 0.01)

MDMA (ecstasy) Maximum limit (mg per kg blood): 0.02

54 narcotics (including opiates, their derivates and cocaine) and some medicines are classified as dangerous to road safety under Danish law.

There are lanes reserved for various types of vehicles, as specified by road signs. Drivers must use the lane specified for the vehicle they are driving. Small mopeds must be driven on cycle paths unless road signs indicate otherwise. Slow lanes are for use only by vehicles driving at speeds lower than that indicated on the road sign.

Bicycles
Motorcycles with/without a sidecar
Mopeds
Light and heavy tricycles
Light and heavy quadricycles
Drivers may not use their mobile phone without a hand-free set
Drivers may use their mobile phone with a hand-free set
Safety equipment for carsWarning triangle

Disclaimer

This content on road safety and traffic rules is provided by the national authorities according to Article 8(1) of Directive (EU) 2015/413/EU. The European Commission does not assume liability for this content or its accuracy. For the most accurate and up-to-date information check national websites, where you can also find information on other national rules covering time-based charges (vignettes), emission stickers and road tolls.

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Road rules and safety

Last checked: 12/06/2023
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