Your UK Driving Licence allows you to drive a Danish registered motor vehicle.  You must carry it at all times when driving.  You should also bear in mind the following when driving in Denmark:

            a.         Car insurance is based on the weight of your car and diesel motors attract an additional twice-yearly charge.

            b.         You must use dipped headlights at all times - day and night

            c.         The speed limit is 80km/hr on major roads, 110 or 130 km/hr on motorways and 30-60 km/hr (as per the signposts) in built up areas.  If there are no signs the limit is 50Km/hr in towns.  Often the Police will have a purge on speeding and the scale of fine depends on how much over the speed limit you are doing, they range from 500 – 12000 Dkr.  As of 1 Sep 05 new strict rules have been enforced and if you are caught speeding 3 times or if you are caught travelling at more than 60% of the speed limit or doing 150 Km/hr you will automatically lose your licence.

It is compulsory whilst you are serving in Denmark that you register your car and obtain Danish number plates.  These plates replace UK road tax.  On arrival, you must provide a valid UK Insurance and Registration certificates to the Danish Customs Authorities and start filling in the (numerous!) forms for the application to obtain Danish registration plates.  Because this whole process can take some time, you are advised not to cancel your UK green card insurance too early.  It is worth making a note of a contact telephone number for your UK insurance provider, as you may well have to contact them from Denmark to extend or terminate an insurance policy.

You must obtain insurance cover from a Danish insurance company, but do be careful when shopping around for insurance as many of the “good deals” are not quite as wonderful as they may appear.  Most insurance companies offer cheaper car insurance, but only if you take out your household insurance with them as well and this can often prove expensive.  Also, bear in mind the excess as this can also vary considerably between companies.

You must have written evidence from your UK insurance company stating how many years No Claims Bonus (NCB) you have, since you can have up to 12 year NCB in Denmark! We would advise that before you leave the UK you obtain proof of your no claims from your insurance broker - if you have 12 years No Claims then proof of this would reduce your Danish premiums considerably.   The NAAFI insurance centres in Germany may be unwilling to provide this on request, contact the Norwich Union in the UK direct as they are much more obliging. Premiums are based on the weight of the car (not the value) and your expected mileage.  You can pay your premiums quarterly, half yearly or annually.  Expect to pay more for insurance even with full no claims – any proof of NCB above the UK norm of 5/6 years will be financially beneficial.

Before registration can be completed your car will be inspected by the local test centre (regardless of the age of the car!) to ensure that it is up to the standard required by the Danish Authorities. 

Learning to drive in Denmark is not advisable.  However, if you do wish to learn to drive, it is worth noting that as well as the driving test, you must also pass an oral test (in Danish).  The test here is difficult, expensive and generally not recommended.  If you already hold a UK Licence you will not be required to take another driving test (as in Germany).

Drinking and driving laws are stringently applied here.  All drivers are subject to spot checks at any time (both breathalyser and vehicle checks) and the penalties for driving with more than the maximum legally permitted alcohol level (max 0.08%) in the bloodstream are SEVERE.  Civil action normally starts with the immediate withdrawal of your driving licence (so you cannot drive any car) and if later found guilty by the Court you will have a massive fine which equates to one month’s gross salary!  There is also a possibility of a period of imprisonment dependent on the circumstances and the alcohol level.  If found with between 0.05-0.08% in your bloodstream you will receive penalty points on your licence plus a fine equal to your alcohol level e.g 0.06% will result in a fine of 60% of your monthly salary.  You should be aware that the Service penalties for conviction in the courts could also lead to you being returned to the UK at very short notice.  DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE - IT REALLY ISN’T WORTH IT.

Car parts and servicing are expensive in Denmark.  Depending on your make of car, it may be advisable to check out whether it is sensible to buy your continental headlights in the UK.  Also, it is worth getting your car serviced before you travel to Denmark.  For new tyres, exhausts etc there is a company called Quick Pot in Viborg, which is very similar to Kwik Fit in the UK.