Whether you need to convert your foreign driver’s license to a Danish one depends, among other factors, on where your driver’s license was issued and whether you have established regular residence in Denmark.
You can find more information about whether an exchange is necessary and how to proceed at lifeindenmark.dk and on the official website of the Danish Road Traffic Authority (Færdselsstyrelsen).
Driving License
Below, you will find further information on driving in Denmark with a foreign driver’s license and the process of exchanging it for a Danish driving license.
When you’re permitted to drive in Denmark with a foreign driving license
When you are required to exchange your foreign driving license for a Danish driving license
How to apply for a Visitor’s Driving License
Residence in Denmark
To be considered normally resident in Denmark, it’s important to assess whether you have established a long-term presence in the country. Factors such as owning property, having close family members (like a spouse or children) in Denmark, and spending most of your time here—aside from short trips abroad for business, studies, or holidays—may all be taken into account.
The same considerations apply if your only connection to Denmark is work-related, but your personal life is based in another country to which you frequently return.
Using a Foreign Driving Licence During a Temporary Stay in Denmark
If you are only staying in Denmark temporarily and do not have normal residence here, you may still use your foreign driving licence under certain conditions:
The licence is issued by an EU or EEA country (including Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein).
The licensee is from the Faroe Islands or Greenland.
It is a temporary licence issued by Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden.
The license is from outside the EU/EEA but is written in the Latin alphabet or accompanied by a translation in Danish, English, or French. This translation must be provided by a public authority or an authorised organization in the issuing country.
Holding an international driving licence.
In these cases, you are permitted to drive the same vehicle categories in Denmark as your original license allows in your home country.
Driving in Denmark as a Visitor or Resident: What You Need to Know
For Temporary Visitors Without a Danish Licence
If you’re staying in Denmark temporarily and don’t have permanent residency or a valid driving licence that meets Danish requirements, you may be eligible for a Visitor’s Driving Licence. To apply, you’ll need to contact the Danish Road Traffic Authority (Færdselsstyrelsen) and submit official documents from your home country proving your driving qualifications.
For Residents with a Foreign Driving Licence
If you have moved to Denmark and established normal residence, you may be required to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Danish one. The need for an exchange—and whether you must pass a driving test (which includes both theoretical and practical parts)—depends on the country or region where your licence was issued. Also, there are specific time limits on how long you can use your foreign license before an exchange becomes mandatory.
Licences from the Faroe Islands, EU, or EEA Countries
If your driving licence was issued in the Faroe Islands, another EU member state, or an EEA country (such as Iceland, Norway, or Liechtenstein), you are generally not required to exchange it. You may drive the same vehicle categories in Denmark as permitted by your current license.
However, you must still meet the Danish age requirements for holding the equivalent licence. Some exceptions apply to licenses from EU and EEA countries.
Even when an exchange isn’t necessary, you have the option to apply for one if you wish. Typically, no driving test is required in such cases.
Driving Licences from Former EU or EEA Countries
If you hold a valid driving licence issued in a country that was a member of the EU or EEA at the time the licence was issued—but which is no longer a member—you are still permitted to drive in Denmark for up to 180 days. This period starts either from the date the country officially left the EU/EEA or from the date you established normal residence in Denmark, whichever comes later.
If you intend to continue driving in Denmark after those 180 days, you must exchange your foreign driving licence for a Danish one.
The good news is that exchanging your license does not require you to take a driving test.
Driving Licences Issued in Greenland
If you hold a valid driving licence from Greenland, you may use it to drive in Denmark for up to 180 days after establishing normal residence.
However, you must meet the age requirements applicable to the equivalent category of Danish driving licences.
If you wish to continue driving after the 180-day period, you are required to exchange your Greenlandic licence for a Danish one.
As part of this exchange, you must complete a driving test, which includes both theoretical and practical components.
If you hold a valid driving licence from Greenland, you may use it to drive in Denmark for up to 180 days after establishing normal residence.
However, you must meet the age requirements applicable to the equivalent category of Danish driving licences.
If you wish to continue driving after the 180-day period, you are required to exchange your Greenlandic licence for a Danish one.
As part of this exchange, you must complete a driving test, which includes both theoretical and practical components.
Driving Licences from Other Countries or Issued Based on Such Licences
The length of time you are allowed.
Group 1 Countries
If your driving licence was issued in one of the following locations:
Australian Capital Territory, Brazil, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Japan, Jersey, Gibraltar, Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales), Guernsey, Northern Ireland, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea (Republic of Korea), or Switzerland,
You may legally drive in Denmark for up to 180 days after establishing normal residence, provided your license is valid.
Additionally:
Your license must be either written in Latin characters or accompanied by an official translation into Danish, English, or French.
You must meet the minimum age requirements for holding the equivalent Danish licence.
If you intend to continue driving after the 180 days, you must exchange your foreign license for a Danish driving license.
When applying, you are required to submit a written declaration.
Group 2 Countries
If your driving licence was issued in a country or territory where driver training standards differ somewhat from Danish requirements but where road safety is generally comparable, you may be eligible to exchange your licence without taking a driving test—provided the issuing country is part of the Group 2 scheme.
Inclusion in the Group 2 Scheme
A country or territory must apply to the Danish Road Safety Agency to be included in the Group 2 scheme. Applications must be submitted using a specific form that outlines national road safety conditions. In most cases, the country’s embassy or consulate will handle the application process.
Driving and Exchange Rules
If your licence was issued in a Group 2 country, you may use it to drive in Denmark for up to 180 days after establishing normal residence.
After this period, you must exchange your foreign license for a Danish one to continue driving legally.
Required Declarations
The length of time you are allowed.
When applying for the exchange, you must submit two written declarations of honour:
That you have held and used your category B (passenger car) licence within the past two years.
That your licence has not been revoked in the last five years and your driving rights have not been restricted or made conditional.
Countries Currently in the Group 2 Scheme
Singapore – since 1 November 2014
USA, Canada, Australia, Chile, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Isle of Man – since 1 April 2016
Serbia – since 12 October 2016
New Zealand – since 9 March 2018
Israel – since 17 December 2019
If your country is not listed in the relevant Danish administrative order, you can contact your embassy or consulate to inquire whether an application has been submitted for inclusion in the Group 2 scheme.
Countries partions in its groups
Group 1 countries.
The Australian Capital Territory
Brazil
Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).
Gibraltar.
Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
Guernsey.
Japan.
Jersey.
Northern Ireland.
Russia
Ukraine.
The Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Switzerland
Group 2 countries.
Australia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Canada
Chile
Isle of Man
Israel
New Zealand
USA
Serbia
Singapore
North Macadonia
General Information – Exchange of Foreign Driving Licences (Order No. 203 of 04/03/2016)
Canceling a Previous Application
If you applied to exchange your driving license before 1 April 2016, it can still be cancelled at any time. You are free to reapply later, and your new application will be assessed under the updated regulations outlined in the 2016 administrative order.
Exchanging Licences with Multiple Categories
If your foreign driving licence was issued in a Group 1 or Group 2 country, you can only exchange category B (standard passenger car) without taking a driving test.
However, if your licence includes additional categories (e.g., category A for motorcycles or category C for trucks), and you wish to exchange those as well, you must first pass a category B driving test in Denmark. After passing, your previously held categories will be automatically transferred to your Danish driving licence.
Deadline for Exchanging Categories
There is no fixed deadline for exchanging additional categories. For example, if you decide one year later that you want to exchange your foreign category A license, you will still need to pass a category B test first to do so.
Written Declarations
Declaration forms (to confirm prior driving history and licence status) are available and ready for signing at municipal citizen service centres (borgerservice).
Driving Licences from Countries Not Listed in Group 1 or 2
If your licence was issued in a country not included in Group 1 or 2, you may still drive legally in Denmark for up to 180 days after establishing normal residence, provided the following conditions are met:
Your foreign licence is valid.
It is written in Latin characters or is accompanied by an official translation into Danish, English, or French.
You meet the minimum age requirement for the equivalent Danish licence.
After the 180 days, if you wish to continue driving in Denmark, you must exchange your license for a Danish one. To do so, you will be required to pass a driving test, which includes both theory and practical components.
