Driving Permit for Denmark
Driving in Denmark with a foreign licence: when an IDP (International Driving Permit) is required, which side Denmark drives on, speed limits, headlight and alcohol rules, and car rental requirements.
- Drive on
- Right
- Convention
- 1949 + 1968
- IDP validity
- 90 days
- Processing time
- 24-48 hours
Do you need an IDP to drive in Denmark?
Denmark is a contracting party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and recognises the International Driving Permit issued under it. Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. If your licence was issued in an EU or EEA country, it is fully valid in Denmark with no extra paperwork. For everyone else, the Danish Road Traffic Authority accepts foreign licences that are printed in the Latin alphabet or accompanied by an IDP or an authorised translation into Danish, English or French. In practice that means an IDP is legally essential only when your licence uses a non-Latin script, and strongly recommended for all other non-EU visitors.
At the rental desk, major firms such as Hertz, Sixt, Avis and Europcar accept valid foreign licences, but non-EU renters, especially those whose licences are written in Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, Cyrillic or other non-Latin scripts, are routinely asked to present an IDP alongside the original licence. The minimum driving age in Denmark is 18, though most rental companies set their own minimum around 21 and apply young-driver surcharges for renters under 25. Police expect you to carry your licence, plus your IDP or translation, whenever you drive.
Danish road rules are strict but straightforward. Dipped headlights must be switched on at all times, day and night, all year round. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.05% for all drivers, handheld phone use is banned, and a warning triangle is compulsory in every vehicle. Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on open roads and 110 to 130 km/h on motorways. There is no motorway vignette, but the Storebaelt and Oresund bridges are tolled, and Denmark's largest cities operate low-emission zones aimed at older diesel vehicles. Above all, watch for cyclists, particularly before making a right turn.
Denmark recognises the IDP under both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions.
Denmark is a signatory to both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. In practice, an IDP issued by another signatory country is recognised for your permitted visitor stay — in Denmark, plan on 90 days.
What you need to drive in Denmark
Have these ready before you pick up the keys.
Minimum driving age is 18 with a full, valid licence (rental companies typically set their own minimum around 21)
Carry your original licence at all times; it must be printed in the Latin alphabet or accompanied by an IDP or an authorised Danish, English or French translation
IDP recommended for non-EU/EEA visitors and effectively required if your licence uses a non-Latin script
Third-party insurance is compulsory and a warning triangle must be carried in the vehicle
Denmark drives on the right and overtakes on the left
Dipped headlights are compulsory at all times, even in daylight
The blood-alcohol limit is 0.05% for all drivers
Speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural roads, 110-130 km/h on motorways
No motorway vignette; tolls apply only on the Storebaelt and Oresund bridge crossings
Drivers must give way to buses pulling out from stops and use hazard lights to warn of sudden traffic slowdowns
What to know before you turn the key
Denmark drives on the right — the driver sits on the left, and roundabouts flow anti-clockwise.
Carry your IDP and your original license together — rental desks and police checks will ask for both documents.
Rental desks accept EU/EEA and most Latin-script licences without an IDP, but non-EU renters are commonly asked to show one alongside the original licence
Tourists can drive for the length of a normal visit (up to 90 days in the Schengen area); new residents have 180 days to exchange a non-EU licence
No motorway vignette in Denmark, but the Storebaelt (Great Belt) and Oresund bridges charge tolls
Danish traffic law is strictly enforced with speed cameras and police checks, and fines are substantial. Exceeding the 0.05% drink-drive limit can bring heavy fines, licence suspension or imprisonment, and driving on a licence that is neither Latin-script nor accompanied by an IDP or authorised translation can lead to fines and problems with insurance or rental agreements.
Local rules to watch in Denmark
Low-emission zones, tolls, and city-specific rules that catch visiting drivers out.
Copenhagen has some of the heaviest bicycle traffic in Europe: always check the bike lane before turning right, and expect zoned paid parking in the city centre
Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg operate low-emission zones (miljozoner) restricting older diesel vehicles; modern rental cars are generally unaffected
The Oresund bridge links Copenhagen with Malmo in Sweden; it is a tolled crossing, so budget for the fare and carry your licence and passport
Signs you'll meet on the road
Eight internationally recognised signs — including which side of the road Denmark keeps.
Common questions about driving in Denmark
Drive Denmark, confidently.
Apply online in minutes and get instant digital access to your IDP translation — with an IDP PVC card option if you want one in your wallet.