Driving in Denmark

The rules for exchanging your foreign driving license for a Danish one will depend on your country of origin. Drivers will only be able to drive the same class of vehicles for which their license from another country is valid. 

Temporary vs. usual residence in Denmark

Expats who will be staying in Denmark for a short period do not necessarily have to exchange their driving license for a Danish one. Here are the rules for expats with temporary residence:

• People with a driving license from the Faroe Islands, Greenland, or an EU/EEA country may drive without exceptions. 
• People with an international driving license from other countries may drive for up to 90 days, but a valid license from their country of origin must be presented. 

Usual residents are expats who live in Denmark for more than 185 days per calendar year. Usual expat residents of most countries outside of the EU/EEA will need to exchange their driving license. 

Licenses from the EU, EEA, and Faroe Islands

Drivers from these countries do not need to exchange their driving licenses for a Danish one. However, there are age-related requirements: Faroese drivers over the age of 70 will not be allowed to drive in Denmark, even when presenting a valid Faroese driving license. 

Licenses from Group 1 countries

Expats from the following non-EU/EEA countries can exchange their license without having to take any additional driver’s or theory tests:

• The Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• Brazil
• Japan
• Taiwan
• South Korea
• Russia
• Ukraine
• Switzerland

The foreign license must be exchanged within 90 days of establishing residence in Denmark, and it is a requirement that the license is valid. The driver’s license must be in Latin letters; if not, an official translation in Danish, English, or French must accompany the application. 

Expats are also required to fill in a statement form declaring that the foreign driving license was not revoked within the last five years and that their right to drive is not conditional or restricted in any way. 

Licenses from Group 2 countries 

Expats from these countries can exchange their license without taking a driving test:

• Singapore
• USA
• Canada
• Australia (areas outside the ACT)
• Chile
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Isle of Man
• Serbia
• New Zealand

In addition to a statement declaring that the driver’s license was not revoked within the last five years and that the driver is free from any restrictions on the right to drive, expats from these countries must also fill in a declaration that the driver’s license for category B (ordinary car) has been held and used for the last two years. 

Licenses from other countries (including Greenland)

Expats with valid driver’s licenses issued in Latin letters from other countries may use their license for up to 90 days after establishing residence in Denmark. After this period, licenses can only be exchanged after passing a controlling driving test that includes a theory and practical test.

Contact a local driving school for information and prices of English driving courses and theory classes. 

Exchanging your foreign driving license in Denmark

License exchanges can be done at your local ‘borgerservice’ office. These are the required documents:

• Identity document with photo identification (CPR number, valid passport, or original birth certificate displaying date and place of birth)
• Current valid driving license
• Valid residence permit
• Medical certificate issued by your doctor within the last three months (only for those from countries outside of the EU/EEA area, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland)
• Photo (see requirements)
• Declarations (for Group 1 or Group 2 countries)

The fee for exchanging a license is DKK 280 (2017). 

 Useful links:

Danish driver’s license symbols and codes
Danish Road Safety Agency