Information on driving permits in Denmark: details on applying for a learner's licence and registering for a driving test…

The minimum age in Denmark to drive a car is 18 years. Drivers must have a valid driving licence and be 18 years or older. They may start to learn to drive three months before their 18th birthday.

Municipal citizen service centres (Borgerservice) deal with driving licence applications.

Getting a Danish Driving Licence

For new arrivals to Denmark, it may be possible to exchange a foreign drivers licence for a Danish one, or continue driving on an EU-issued licence long as it is valid, but only if it is valid for less than 15 years. If the licence valid for more than 15 years it can be used for 2 years after CPR registration.

From 2016 citizens from the USA, Canada and Australian drivers can also exchange their license without taking a driving and theory test, if they sign a declaration that they have been driving regularly for the past two years and have not had their license revoked within the past 5 years.

Foreign driving licenses belonging to either group 1 or group 2 countries can only be exchanged for a category B licence without having to take a driving test. For all others, a full theory and practical test must be taken.

For more information on how to exchange a foreign driving licence in Denmark: The Danish Road Safety Agency The Copenhagen website

Below is a basic guide to the process to expect when applying for and taking a Danish driving test. For detailed or specific information, enquire at a driving school, the National Commission of the Danish Police or at a local Borgerservice.

Learning to Drive

A permanent address registration and aare required in order to learn to drive in Denmark. Learner drivers must provide these documents, as well as a passport sized photograph and health certificate from a Danish doctor when enrolling in a driving school.

The minimum age for a driving test is 18 years old; however, it is possible to start a theory driving course at 17 years and 9 months of age. Both theory and practical tests must be completed before a driving licence is issued. An interpreter is authorised for both tests and can be organised by driving schools. In general it is the driving school that takes care of all administrative formalities when applying for a licence for the first time.

There is a legal requirement for all new drivers in Denmark to undertake a minimum of:

Seven hours of traffic related first aid lessons

28 theory lessons

Four practical manoeuvre lessons on a track

16 driving lessons in traffic

Four lessons on an advanced slippery track

These lessons must be taken with a driving school and generally last 45 minutes. Some schools can provide all lessons in English. It is possible to take theory lessons online at some instruction schools.

The manoeuvre track lessons include: driving in a figure of eight, setting and stopping off by the side of a road, driving forwards and backwards with measured braking, reversing and turning, parking in bays, three-point turns, forward and reverse slalom, breaking hard without locking the wheels.

The slippery track lessons include: driving on a slippery track at speeds of 30-70 Km per hour, and teaches skills such as road holding and loads, speed, braking length, regaining control after skidding and keeping control after driving over a high edge.

All lessons must be documented in a log book and they must be integrated (follow on from each other). If a student decides to change driving schools they must take this log book to the new driving school.

The Driving Tests

Theory test

Practical test

Driving schools generally book both the theory and the practical test for learner drivers. Before enrolling for the theory test, the learner driver must have completed the first aid course and include the certificate for this in their application.After completing the necessary lessons it is possible to apply for the theory test. This is a multiple choice test, with pictures and in Danish, which takes about 30 minutes. The test usually takes place at police premises and proof of identity such as a passport must be taken to the test.After successfully passing the theory test, the learner driver can take the practical test. This must be taken within 12 months of passing the theory test. This test does not allow any mistakes and is considered difficult in larger cities. The route is usually set by a government supervisor.

When attending the practical test, the following documents are required:

Log book (lesson plan)

Licence application form

Birth certificate or passport

The exam includes a technical check of the car, where the student may be asked questions on the technical features of the car such as lights or brakes; and a test to check the student's driving abilities. In all, the test lasts between 30 and 45 minutes.

After successfully passing the theory and practical test a temporary driving licence is issued and the licence follows three to four weeks after passing the test.

Driving Licence Validity

Insurance

Scooters and Mopeds

Motorcycles





Licences issued after 19 January 2013 are valid for a period of 15 years (all A and B categories) or 5 years (all C and D categories). Licences issued before that date are valid until they expire, but must be replaced with the new type by January 2033. To renew the licence, an up-to-date photograph is all that is required.Insurance coverage is compulsory in Denmark. The minimum insurance coverage required by law is liability insurance (third party insurance). Private motor insurance companies offer a number of motor insurance policies.Those aged between 16 years and 18 years need to apply for an AM licence to drive a moped on public roads. The driver must pay a fee and have a set number of hours of road theory instruction and complete a theory and practical test to drive on public roads. The AM licence allows that person to drive at a speed of up to 30 Km per hour.A motorcycle licence requires a separate theory and practical test. Motorcycle and car driving licences are completely separate even though the tests are very similar. To get a motorcycle licence a minimum number of hours of theory instruction and practical instruction including night motorcycle riding are needed. The driver must be 18 years old to drive a motorbike up to 125cc. It is possible to take the car driving licence and motorcycle driving licence at the same time.