Driving in Denmark vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Denmark and Norway, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. While both nations prioritize road safety, significant distinctions exist, such as speed limits and lane usage. Familiarizing yourself with these driving norms will ensure a smoother experience in either country.
Lanes
| Denmark | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
denmark:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
denmark:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Denmark | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in Norway |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
norway:
Not used in Norway
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
norway:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Denmark | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
norway:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Denmark | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | None |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
norway:
None
Alcohol
| Denmark | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
norway:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay