Driving

Your Licence

Driving Licence in Denmark

EU licences are valid indefinitely in Denmark (until expiry). Non-EU licences are valid for only 90 days — after that you must exchange or take the full Danish driving test. The Danish test is among the hardest in Europe, with a 42% first-time pass rate.

EU licence validity

Valid until expiry date

Non-EU licence validity

90 days after residency

Danish driving test pass rate (first attempt)

42%

Full Danish driving course cost

DKK 15,000–25,000

Licence exchange fee (eligible countries)

DKK 630

1. Check if your country has an exchange agreement with Denmark at Faerdselsstyrelsen.dk
2. If exchange is possible, book an appointment at Borgerservice with your foreign licence + CPR
3. If no exchange agreement, enroll in a Danish driving school for the mandatory course
4. Complete the first-aid course (forstehjælpskursus) — mandatory before the test
5. Pass the theory test (40 questions, max 5 wrong) and the practical test

Road Rules

Road Rules & Car Costs

Denmark has the highest car registration tax in Europe — 85% on the first DKK 209,000 and 150% above that. This makes car ownership extremely expensive. Speed cameras are everywhere, and fines are steep. Cyclists have absolute priority in most urban situations.

Registration tax (first DKK 209,000)

85% of vehicle value

Registration tax (above DKK 209,000)

150% of vehicle value

Cyclists in Copenhagen

675,000 daily (49% of commuters)

Speed limit (urban)

50 km/h

Fine for 20 km/h over limit

DKK 2,000

Public Transport

Trains, Buses & Rejsekort

Denmark's public transport is excellent in cities and adequate between them. The Rejsekort (travel card) is the universal payment system for all buses, trains, and metro. DSB runs inter-city trains. Copenhagen has a driverless metro running 24/7 on weekends.

Rejsekort (travel card) purchase

DKK 80 (non-refundable)

Copenhagen metro lines

4 lines (M1, M2, M3, M4)

Metro service (weekends)

24 hours

Monthly commuter pass (2 zones)

DKK 465/month

Trip planner app

Rejseplanen (+ DOT app for Copenhagen)

1. Buy a Rejsekort Personal at any DSB station (DKK 80 + minimum DKK 70 top-up)
2. Register it at Rejsekort.dk with your CPR for auto-top-up and online management
3. Always check in (tap on) when boarding and check out (tap off) when arriving
4. Download Rejseplanen app for real-time schedules and trip planning
5. Consider a monthly Pendlerkort if you commute the same route 5 days/week