Driving in Denmark vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Embarking on a journey through Denmark or the United Kingdom? Understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe trip. From varying speed limits to distinct lane usage rules, this comparison highlights essential distinctions between the two nations. Prepare for an informed driving experience as you navigate these unique roadways!
Lanes
| Denmark | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
denmark:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
denmark:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
denmark:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
denmark:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
denmark:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
denmark:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
denmark:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
denmark:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
denmark:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Denmark | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | English; 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.
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Denmark | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
denmark:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Denmark | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Denmark | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Denmark | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
denmark:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Denmark | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
denmark:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| 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 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay