Driving in Denmark vs. Sweden: Key Differences Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads of Denmark and Sweden, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is essential for ensuring safety. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and signaling practices. Familiarizing yourself with these variations not only enhances your driving experience but also helps you adhere to local laws while abroad.
Lanes
| Denmark | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
denmark:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
sweden:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
denmark:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Denmark | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
denmark:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
denmark:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
denmark:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
denmark:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
denmark:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
denmark:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
denmark:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
denmark:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
denmark:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Denmark | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
denmark:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
denmark:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
denmark:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Denmark | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
denmark:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
denmark:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
denmark:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
denmark:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
denmark:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
denmark:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
denmark:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
denmark:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
denmark:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
denmark:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Denmark | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
denmark:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
denmark:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
denmark:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
denmark:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
denmark:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
denmark:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
denmark:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
denmark:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
denmark:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
denmark:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
denmark:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.