Driving in Denmark vs Romania: Key Differences Explained
Understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for travelers. In this comparison, we delve into the driving norms of Denmark and Romania, highlighting significant contrasts in lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions. Whether you're navigating urban streets or rural highways, knowing these variations can enhance your safety and driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Denmark | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
denmark:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Yes, common practice |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Denmark | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in Romania |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
romania:
Not used in Romania
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
romania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
denmark:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Denmark | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
romania:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Denmark | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
denmark:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Denmark | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
denmark:
0.02%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
romania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
denmark:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist