Am I allowed to drive on a foreign licence in Denmark?
It depends where the licence was issued. An EU/EEA licence is valid in Denmark and can be exchanged for a Danish one without a test. With a licence from another country you may drive on it, but you must exchange it within 180 days of establishing residence in Denmark — the clock runs from residence, not from the day you first get behind a wheel here. Licences from a group of countries such as the UK, Japan, Switzerland and South Korea are exchanged without a test. The USA, Canada and another group are exchanged on certain conditions, while all other countries must take a control driving test. The exchange costs 520 kr. Ukrainian refugees with a physical licence may keep driving.
📋 The rules
- An EU/EEA licence is valid and exchanged without a test
- Other countries: exchange within 180 days of residence
- A group of countries exchange without a test (e.g. UK, Japan)
- Other countries need a control driving test
- The exchange costs 520 kr
🔓 Exceptions
- Ukrainian refugees with a physical licence may keep driving
- The USA, Canada and a group of countries exchange on certain conditions
- Licences from Greenland have a special exchange scheme
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Driving after the 180 days without having exchanged is driving without entitlement under Road Traffic Act §56, and it costs a fine of about 2,000 kr the first time. The trap is that your home licence is still valid back home — what you have lost is the right to drive in Denmark, not the card itself. The deadline runs from the day you get residence here, so the move to Denmark starts the clock whether or not you even own a car. If you come from a country that requires a control driving test, you must fit the test inside those 180 days.
📎 Official sources
- Borger.dk · Foreign licence →
- Road Safety Agency · Exchange →
- Driving Licence Order · Retsinformation →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I drive on an EU licence in Denmark?
Yes. An EU/EEA licence is valid in Denmark and can be exchanged for a Danish one without a test. There is no 180-day deadline for EU/EEA licences, as there is for licences from outside the EU and EEA.
How long can I drive on a foreign licence?
If the licence comes from a country outside the EU/EEA, you must exchange it within 180 days of establishing residence in Denmark. The clock runs from residence, not from your first drive, so the move starts it.
Must I take a test to exchange?
Licences from a group of countries such as the UK, Japan, Switzerland and South Korea are exchanged without a test. The USA, Canada and another group exchange on conditions, while all others take a control driving test.
What does an exchange cost?
The exchange costs 520 kr. If the licence comes from a country outside the approved groups, you must also take a control driving test, and it has to fit inside the 180 days you are given.
What if I drive too long on a foreign licence?
It is driving without entitlement under Road Traffic Act §56 and can bring a fine of about 2,000 kr the first time. Your home licence is still valid back home — what you lose is the right to drive here.
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