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Self-Drive Motoring holidays in Denmark.

Tips on driving abroad in Denmark. Motoring rules and regulations in Denmark. Danish motoring laws.

Self-Drive Motoring holidays in Denmark.
Tips on driving abroad in Denmark. Motoring rules and regulations in Denmark. Danish motoring laws.

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Make sure you Drive Alive! Drive on the right!

  • Be especially careful when setting off from service stations or restaurants on the left side of the road.

  • Take care when overtaking - allow more space between you and the car in front so you can see further down the road ahead.

  • Denmark has strict drink driving laws, only allowing 0.5 milligrams of alcohol per millilitre of blood - stricter than the UK where the limit is 0.8. 

  • Seat belts front and rear are obligatory everywhere.

  • Speed limits, shown below, are implemented rigorously. Radar traps are frequent. In Denmark, and heavy on-the-spot fines can be levied.

  • Remember - Speeding and other traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines.

  • When approaching a roundabout give way to traffic already on the roundabout, on your left, unless signed otherwise.

  • Danish motorways are toll-free. But the two major bridges, the Oresund and Storebaelt Bridges, charge tolls. More>>>>

A full UK driving licence is required. As in the UK, seat belts should be worn front and rear. Below are motoring regulations relating to Denmark.

Speed Limits Motorway Open Road Town Alcohol mg/ml
Denmark General limit 130 km/h but many stretches signed at 110 km/h or 90 km/h 80 km/h 50 km/h 0.5

Many roads in Denmark are covered by speed limits applicable to the particular conditions, so keep a look out for the speed limit signs at all times.

The speed limit is 130km/h on Motorways there are some stretches of 110km/h around busy areas.

Motor Trafficways which are not motorways but stretches of road with slip roads on and off can be single lane or alternating double. Speed limits are 90km/h and  there are quite a lot of these.

Normal roads are 80km/h but there are a lot of 70km/h areas due to congestion or dangerous places

Towns 50km/h or 40km/h where stated by a sign

Children in cars: children under 3 cannot travel unless they use a proper child restraint system. Children under 3 in the rear must use a proper child restraint if one is available. Children over 3 must use appropriate restraints front and rear.

Documentation: always carry your driving licence, vehicle registration document (V5), and certificate of motor insurance. If your licence does not incorporate a photograph ensure you carry your passport to validate the licence. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, carry a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive.

Drinking and driving: Don't do it. Anything over 0.5 per cent and you could face anything up to imprisonment.

Fines: On the spot fines are issued for the infringement of all traffic regulations. Ensure an official receipt is issued by the officer collecting the fine.

Fire extinguisher is advised, but not compulsory.

First-aid kit is advised, but not compulsory.

Fuel: All grades of unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG are available as well as lead substitute additive. No leaded. It is allowed to carry petrol in a can. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, although they probably won't work at automatic pumps, which are often the only pumps open out-of-hours. It's a good idea to let your card issuer know you will be travelling abroad. This ensures they don't suspend your card if they spot it being used in unfamiliar places, which they sometimes do as an anti-fraud measure.

GB sticker: UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB sticker  when driving in European Union countries.

Headlamp converters are compulsory.

Lights: as in the rest of Scandinavia cars and motorcycles must use dipped headlights during the day.

Minimum age for driving, provided you hold a full UK licence, is 18 for a car and motorcycle.

Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear crash helmets.

Motor insurance: third-party insurance is compulsory. A green card is not required but your insurer should be advised of your trip.

Seat belts are compulsory for front and rear seat occupants, if fitted.

Visibility Vests are now compulsory in Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain (and likely to become compulsory throughout the EU). The rules vary from country to country concerning number of vests required and whether they should be carried in the car or boot. Common sense suggests that there should be a vest for every occupant, and that the vests should be carried in the car, and put on before getting out. Do this and you will not have a problem.

Warning triangle is compulsory.

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All information on this page is provided as a service to our clients. It is intended as a guide to the more important rules for the different countries to which we offer driving holidays. It is not meant to be a comprehensive document. We try and keep the information on this page up-to-date, but we cannot be held responsible in any way for any consequences arising from any inaccuracies. If you find a mistake or would like to send us some additional information, please email us. Your co-operation is appreciated.

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