Driving in Denmark from the UK: what you need
Checked against official sources on 5 November 2026 · Sources at the bottom of this page
Driving your own car to Denmark? You need:
- A UK sticker, unless your number plate shows "UK" with the Union flag GB stickers are no longer valid: remove or cover them
- Your photocard driving licence, logbook (V5C) and insurance certificate Your photocard licence is valid for up to 90 days. Still have an old paper licence? You may need an international driving permit (£5.50 at a PayPoint) Hire or lease car from the UK? Take a VE103 certificate instead of the logbook
- A passport for everyone in the car See the passport rules for Denmark below
- A warning triangle
- Dipped headlights on at all times, set for driving on the right Many newer cars adjust for the right from a menu setting, others need beam deflector stickers
- To register an older diesel car (before 2011) for city low-emission zones See below
- Money for the bridges: the Great Belt bridge and the Øresund bridge to Sweden
🛂 Your border check happens before Denmark
Driving through France, Belgium and Germany? You enter the Schengen area when you cross the Channel, so your passport is checked, and the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) records your fingerprints, at Dover, Folkestone or your arrival port. Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you arrive and valid for 3 months after you leave.
Check your passport for Denmark →Bridges and low-emission zones
Denmark's motorways are free, but its two big bridges charge a toll. Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense have low-emission zones that affect older diesel cars.
Great Belt prices →
Heading to the Oslo ferry in Copenhagen? There's a signed route through the zone to Nordhavn and the ferry terminal.
Speed limits in Denmark
| Road | Limit |
|---|---|
| Motorways | 130 km/h≈ 81 mph |
| Roads outside towns | 80 km/h≈ 50 mph |
| Towns and villages | 50 km/h≈ 31 mph |
Some motorways are 110 km/h, as signed. With a trailer, the limits are 80 km/h on motorways and 70 km/h on other roads. Speeding fines start at DKK 1,200 and are doubled in roadworks.
Rules that catch UK drivers out
💡 Headlights on at all times
Dipped headlights or daytime running lights must be on whenever you drive. Without them it's a DKK 1,000 fine.
🚲 Watch for cyclists
Cyclists often have right of way, so check cycle lanes before you turn right. Pedestrians often have right of way when you turn at traffic lights.
📵 No handheld phones
Holding a phone while driving is a DKK 1,500 fine. Hands-free must be built into the car: a headset doesn't count.
🍷 Drink-drive limit
0.5 per mille, lower than England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
🚦 Red lights and giving way
Running a red light or failing to give way is a DKK 2,000 fine.
👶 Child seats
Children shorter than 135 cm need an approved child seat. Without one it's a DKK 2,000 fine.
Winter driving
Winter tyres aren't compulsory in Denmark, but roads can be icy in winter. If you're driving on to Sweden or Norway, you'll need winter tyres there.
Breakdowns and emergencies
- Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire, or 114 for the police in a non-emergency.
- Put on a hi-vis vest before you get out, and wait behind the crash barrier if you can.
- Place the warning triangle behind the car where traffic will see it in time, if it's safe to.
Hiring a car in Denmark instead
- Hire companies may want a year's driving experience and an age above the legal minimum.
- Ask how bridge tolls are paid: some hire cars have a BroBizz tag.
- They may ask for a DVLA licence check code. Get one on GOV.UK shortly before you collect the car: it's only valid for 21 days.
FAQs
How much is the Great Belt bridge in Denmark?
For a car 3 to 6 metres long, DKK 235 one way by card or cash in 2026, or DKK 205 with a BroBizz tag or number plate agreement. A car over 6 metres or with a caravan pays DKK 360.
How much is the Øresund bridge to Sweden?
For a car up to 6 metres, DKK 470 one way at the toll station or DKK 420 booked online (2026 prices).
Do UK cars need to register for Danish low-emission zones?
Only diesel cars first registered before 1 January 2011. They must register, with proof of a particle filter or Euro 5 standard, by the day you enter Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Aarhus, Aalborg or Odense. Petrol cars, hybrids and newer diesels don't need to register. The fine is DKK 1,500.
Do I need headlights on during the day in Denmark?
Yes. Dipped headlights or daytime running lights must be on at all times. Without them it's a DKK 1,000 fine.
Can I drive in Denmark on my UK licence?
Yes, a UK photocard licence is valid for up to 90 days without an international driving permit.
What is the drink-drive limit in Denmark?
0.5 per mille, lower than England, Wales and Northern Ireland (0.8).
More for your trip
Sources
Checked on 5 November 2026. Rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.
- GOV.UK: Denmark travel advice, road travel · International driving permits · UK stickers · Insurance abroad
- Denmark: Low-emission zones: cars · Registering a foreign car · Where the zones are · Great Belt bridge prices · Øresund bridge prices · Speed limits (borger.dk) · Speeding fines (Police) · Driving rules (VisitDenmark)
- EU: Your Europe: road rules in Denmark